Miami football competition for MSU transfer defensive tackles

The Miami football program is hosting Michigan State defensive tackles Simeon Barrow and Derrick Harmon early next week per 247Sports. Miami needs to add DT depth after losing Jared Harrison-Hunte to the transfer portal this week. Miami doesn't return any experienced DTs in 2024.

C.J. Clark from North Carolina State and Marley Cook from Middle Tennessee State transferred to Miami during the winter portal window in January at DT. Barrow and Harmon have the potential to join the Miami football program and become impact players and starters.

Harmon entered the transfer portal in December before ultimately returning to Michigan State. The Spartans reportedly increased their name, image and likeness commitment to Harmon for him to stay at Michigan State. After spring practice concluded Harmon reentered the transfer portal this week.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported Harmon was visiting USC on Thursday and has plans to visit Colorado this weekend before traveling to Miami early next week. Harmon visited Ohio State and Oregon when he entered the winter transfer portal. Florida State is also reportedly interested.

Zenitz reported, "Pro Football Focus had Harmon with the sixth-highest overall grade and the fourth-highest run defense grade among Big Ten interior defenders last season." Harmon had 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2023.

Miami returns Thomas Gore who transferred to Miami from Georgia State during the 2023 offseason, Joshua Horton and Ahmad Moten at DT. Gore, Horton and Moten add depth but are not the impact players that Barrow or Harmon could be. Clark and Cook are the current projected Miami starting DTs.

The likelihood is that Miami will seek to bring in another DT who will become a starter on August 31 versus Florida. Barrow has been contacted by 27 programs since entering the transfer portal, per his own Instagram post. There is some overlap with Barrow and Harmon both considering Colorado, Miami and USC.

Barrow has started 10 games in each of the last three seasons for Michigan State. In 2023, Barrow had 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Barrow had his best season with 40 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks and one forced fumble. With so many schools contacting Barrow, his decision could be methodical.

If Miami can sign Barrow and Harmon, they would have a major impact for Miami at DT. A rotation of Barrow, Clark, Cook and Harmon would give Miami the depth they need on the interior of the DL. Miami has made defense a priority through the transfer portal, with six of the nine transfers added since December on defense.