ESPN asks "How will Miami football revamped defensive front fare?

With Rueben Bain the only returning lineman who played significant snaps for the Miami football team, questions linger entering the 2024 season for the front four. As part of their "Lingering questions following spring football from each Way-Too-Early Top 25 team", ESPN pondered "How will Miami's revamped defensive front fare?

Bain had a breakout season in 2023 earning the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3.0 forced fumbles and 1.0 pass defended. Akheem Mesidor returns after missing all but three games in 2023 due to a foot injury. Bain and Mesidor are the projected starting edge rushers.

Miami lost starting defensive tackles Jared Harrison-Hunte (transferred to SMU) and Leonard Taylor (undrafted free agent). The Hurricanes signed what is widely regarded as the best defensive line class in 2024. Miami has also restocked the DL through the transfer portal.

In addition to DL added in the winter transfer portal window, Miami added 6'3, 290-pound Michigan State defensive tackle Simeon Barrow last week. Barrow is an experienced run stuffer who will compete to start for Miami in 2024. Barrow has 110 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, one pass breakup, 2.0 FF and 1.0 fumble recovery in three seasons.

"24. Miami
Lingering question: How will Miami's revamped defensive front fare?
Miami returns freshman All-American Rueben Bain to anchor a unit that will have a different look in 2024. Seven players have entered the transfer portal since the season ended, but the Hurricanes have gone into the portal to help solidify the position.

Elijah Alston (Marshall), C.J. Clark (NC State) and Marley Cook (Middle Tennessee) participated in spring ball, and there are a few early enrollee freshmen who could contribute as well in Marquise Lightfoot and Armondo Blount. Plus, Miami is hoping Akheem Mesidor is back to full strength after he was hurt in Week 2 last year and missed the rest of the season. -- Adelson"

- Andrea Adelson, ESPN

Five-star 2024 signees Blount, Lightfoot and DT Justin Scott who was not an early enrollee all have the potential to make an impact as freshmen. Barrow, Clark and Cook will rotate snaps at DT. Cook is more of a pass-rush specialist. Alston provides Miami with another proven edge rusher.

Bain and Mesidor have the versatility to move inside on pass-rushing downs. A front four of Alston, Bain, Cook and Mesidor is formidable on passing downs. Mesidor did not participate in spring practice because of his foot injury. Miami will have more depth than in 2023 when they had to switch from a 4-2-5 defense to a 3-3-5 due to injuries.