Thomas Gore transfer could foreshadow Miami football adding DTs

The transfer of defensive tackle Thomas Gore after one season with the Miami football program could foreshadow the Hurricanes adding more players on the interior up front. Gore had eight tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games for Miami in 2023.

Gore was the 273rd overall transfer and 28th defensive lineman in the 2023 portal. Georgia State signed Gore as the 3,135th player, 177th strongside defensive end and 99th player in Tennessee out of Brentwood, Brentwood Academy in the 2019 class. Gore was one of the most productive players nationally for Georgia State.

Gore had 94 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in four seasons for Georgia State. In his one season with Miami, Gore was a rotational player behind primary starting DTs Jared Harrison-Hunte Leonard Taylor and Branson Deen who was usually third in the rotation.

Harrison-Hunte transferred to SMU, Taylor left a year early for the NFL Draft and Deen had one final season of eligiblity for Miami in 2023. Miami signed transfers C.J. Clark from North Carolina State and Marley Cook from Middle Tennessee State as the projected starting DTs entering the 2024 season.

Anthony Campbell who transferred from Louisiana during the 2023 off-season, Josh Horton and Ahmad Moten return at DT to add depth. Miami added five-star freshmen Armondo Blount and Justin Scott and four-star Artavius Jones on the DL in the 2024 class. Scott has the best chance to be an impactful player at DL as a freshman for Miami.

Miami hosted Michigan State transfer DT Simeon on Monday. Barrow is the 671 overall transfer and 67th DL in the 2024 portal. Michigan State signed Barrow as the 780th prospect, 35th strongside DE and 76th player in Georgia out of Grovetown in 2020. Barrow could complete with Clark and Co

Barrow has 110 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 1.0 pass breakup. 1.0 fumble recovery and 2.0 forced fumbles in four seasons at Michigan State. In 2023, Barrow had 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Barrow's numbers were down almost completely across the board in 2023.

If Barrow commits elsewhere expect Miami to continue targeting transfer DTs. The loss of Gore and Harrison-Hunte hindered Miami's depth at DT. Expect Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to move inside and play DT on passing downs for Miami during the 2023 season.