National recruiting expert analyzes Miami football top ranked DL Class

The Miami football program signed three five-star defensive linemen and three four-stars in the 2024 class. Miami is ranked first in the"Breaking down the five best 2024 defensive line classes" by Adam Gorney, the National recruiting director for Rivals and Yahoo Sports. Miami made the DL a priority in the 2024 class.

The 2024 class is led by five-star prospects, DL Armondo Blount and Justin Scott and edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot. Lightfoot and Scott are the top two players in Illinois. Miami also signed four-star DL prospects, edge rushers Booker Pickett Jr. and Elias Rudolph and tackles Artavius Jones.

Mario Cristobal stated his intention for the Miami football team is to dominate the line of scrimmage. The signing of five-star offensive tackles Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola and the group being brought in on the DL in the 2024 class should allow Miami to control the line of scrimmage in the next few years.

Miami has a deep returning DL. Miami will be exceptionally deep at edge rusher. Rueben Bain earned the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Nyjalik Kelly and Akheem Mesidor return from injuries and Miami added Elijah Alston from Marshall. The veterans allow Miami time to develop the freshmen DL in 2024.

"Justin Scott, Marquise Lightfoot and Armondo Blount could end up transforming the Hurricanes’ defensive line in the coming years but a bunch of four-stars aren’t bad, either. Booker Pickett was super productive at Tampa (Fla.) Wharton and he had a phenomenal week at the Under Armour Game."

- Adam Gorney, Rivals.Com

Scott could be a rotation player on the defensive line behind transfers C.J. Clark and Marley Cook and returnee Jared Harrison-Hunte. Bain and Mesidor are versatile DL who can move inside on passing downs. Scott is the most likely freshman to play for Miami on the DL in 2024.

Lightfoot and Pickett could be used as situational pass rushers in 2024. Miami added six blue-chip players to what was already one of the best DLs in the country. Miami finished 18th nationally with 88 tackles for loss and was 22nd, tied with five other teams with 35 sacks. Miami will be set up front for the next few years.