What to expect with Miami football defensive roster when portal opens Tuesday

Junior edge rusher Nyjalik Kelly already announced he would be entering the transfer portal. Kelly was a starter in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury. Kelly is one of what should be multiple defensive players for the Miami football team to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Tuesday.

Miami is currently five scholarships over the 85-player limit. That includes 10 players who have signed National Letters of Intent and will arrive later this year. Expect cornerback and linebacker to be the primary positions Miami targets in the transfers portal this spring. Safety is another position to monitor.

Miami has previously lost edge rushers Jahfari Harvey, Cyrus Moss and Chantz Williams to the transfer portal since the end of the 2023 season. Miami added edge rusher Elijah Alston from Marshall. Miami has elite depth with edge rushers Rueben Bain, Akheem Mesidor and Jayden Wayne returning, plus a deep class at the position.

Miami will reportedly target another defensive lineman in the portal. There have been verifying projections if Miami will pursue a defensive tackle, edge rusher, or both. Miami also added DTs C.J. Clark from North Carolina State and Marley Cook from Middle Tennessee State as transfers in 2024.

Miami is inexperienced at linebacker behind returning starters Wesley Bissainthe and Francisco Mauigoa. Redshirt Junior Chase Smith could be a player to watch who could transfer from Miami. Smith has had an injury-prone career with Miami. The Hurricanes signed two 2024 LBs and could seek to add depth at the position.

The secondary is the position Miami has the biggest need on defense. Expect Miami to lose a few defense backs to the portal in the next two weeks. Miami will likely seek to add CBs and safeties through the portal to add depth and potentially target starters at both positions.

Mario Cristobal and his staff will have an extremely busy two weeks. Miami could lose as many as 10 to 12 transfers. That would allow Miami to target five to seven transfers to bring in. Cristobal, as always, did not get into specifics about which positions Miami would target in the portal this spring.