Miami has promising defensive line room in 2024
Miami Hurricanes day two of Spring practice has just wrapped up, and Miami’s defensive line is incredible.
Miami’s defensive line is ready to be a program strength after strong high school recruiting, talent development, and coaching continuity have formed to create a strong position room.
In the recent run of winning seasons for the Miami football program, quality play in the trenches has had a lot to do with the rise of the Big Orange and Green under head coach Mario Cristobal.
At zero technique, the Canes have had a good recent run. Both Jaelan Phillips (Miami Dolphins) and Gregory Rousseau (Buffalo Bills) are making plays on Sundays after productive careers in Coral Gables.
This defensive line group is going to be truly very and I mean very special this year.
The Miami defense consistently slow down opponents better than most ACC teams, yet like Rodney Dangerfield, they get no respect as one of the better units in the league. Why are the Hurricanes overlooked? Simply put: they’re just a bunch of badasses.
The way Miami plays is a direct reflection of the Hurricanes’ head coach. The defense has taken on the personality of Mario Cristobal. It has raised the unit’s floor. The group’s ceiling is determined by the talent of the defense’s top playmakers.
The Hurricanes were especially efficient against the run last season. UM gave up 89.2 rushing yards per outing. That number was good enough to rank first in the Conference. A closer look depicts a unit that did register a high number of QB sacks (30). In fact, the Canes finished the season ranked 11th in the nation for sacks. Miami intercepted 12 passes and recorded 13 forced fumbles.
Two months ago, Miami completed the transfer portal for Middle Tennessee defensive lineman commit Marley Cook. The three-star prospect with excellent physical traits (6-foot-3) and good film. That was significant because it was another solid recruiting win for this position room. The Hurricanes also added four-star DL commit out of NC State C.J. Clark.
Since the class of 2020, Miami has inked thirteen top-500 high school defensive line prospects. The Hurricanes have also gone to the transfer portal and added a pair of former blue-chip recruits. There is also roster balance. UM will enter the 2024 season with two seniors, one junior, four sophomores, and six true freshmen. The coaching staff is consistently recruiting the defensive line well and stacking quality depth at a very important position.
Miami has also found a cornerstone piece to be a star.
Four-star signee Rueben Bain was outstanding as a true freshman in 2023 playing over 500 defensive snaps and becoming a full-time starter at outside tackle. The Miami (FL.) Miami Central product led the defensive line in sacks (8) Bains tape against Clemson, Virginia, and Rutgers flashes big-time potential as a pass rusher and the young player is already stout against the run in multiple playing spots along the defensive line. The sophomore should be a very popular talking point in Charlotte at ACC Media Days in July. Expect the hype train to get rolling this summer for Miami’s defensive star.
Don’t be surprised if this becomes one of the best position groups on the team in 2024. The pieces are in place and Miami could make a run again at being a top-15 defense due to what is available in the trenches. Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry has stability with a high ceiling on the line of scrimmage. That could go a long way.
Trinton is the owner of CanesToday. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, he is a freshman in high school and wants to graduate from the University of Miami
