Roster Breakdown: Defensive End

Me and Pete are breaking down each position group, post-Portal, on the CanesInSight Daily Podcast. Next up is defensive end. A transcript of our discussion is below:

Damon Wilson​

DMoney: To me, the number one reason Miami played in the national championship this year was because they had two first-round defensive ends who could destroy the run, dominate the pass, and play nonstop with incredible motors. That was Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor. You don’t just replace that. But I do think there’s a large amount of talent at this position — portal and recruiting.

Peter Ariz: I feel really confident in the pass rushers. The tougher thing to replace is stopping the run. That’s maturity. That’s time. But the pass rushing might be more dynamic. I’m not saying better — just more dynamic. Damon Wilson had nine sacks in the SEC. That’s no slouch.

DMoney: Miami was 12th in the country in sack percentage at 8.71%. They played playoff-level tackles and still dominated. You could see overall sack production go up next year. Wilson’s pass rush craft should improve under Jason Taylor. The point of emphasis will be stopping the run.

Peter Ariz: He’s got a top-15 type projection. He probably could’ve come out this year and been in that mix. Guys are confident — Damon Wilson looks at Bain and Mesidor and says, "Let me get in that system. Let me get coached by a Hall of Famer in Jason Taylor." From what I heard, JT was in the film room with him for hours. He doesn't usually do that.

DMoney: Wilson would've been the second returning sack leader in the SEC behind Colin Simmons if he stayed at Missouri. He’s productive and he’s serious. That matters. You don’t want portal guys coming in for Instagram. You want guys coming to work.

Peter Ariz: Here’s my prediction — I think Wilson could end up being drafted higher than both Bain and Mesidor.

DMoney: If teams are smart, Bain will go Top 4. Let's see if they get caught up in arm length. The pass rush could be close or better. Against the run, Wilson needs to improve, but he’s strong and physical. Miami will help with his technique.

Marquise Lightfoot​

Peter Ariz: Physically, he’s not going to be 250. That’s not his body type. If he ever got there, he’d lose what makes him special. You have to maximize the twitch.

DMoney: He was big in the playoff run. Against Indiana in the championship game, he destroyed their running back Kaelon Black. He’s 6'4", 6'5", around 220. He’s not soft. His motor and toughness are underrated. He played kickoff in high school and at Miami. You don’t see five-star defensive ends doing that.

Peter Ariz: As a spy, he’s valuable. He may not get the sack, but he’ll chase an athletic quarterback sideline to sideline and force him out of bounds.

DMoney: My concern with that is his ability to break down in space. He's so tall. Rushing the passer, you want him in that eight-to-nine sack range this year. With expanded snaps, I think he’ll produce.

Hayden Lowe​

DMoney: He’s 6'4", around 265. A big defensive end. In spring, he was physical. The five-star label went out the window — he competed. If he doesn’t start, he’ll be one of the high-snap guys in the rotation.

Peter Ariz: They lined him up inside at times last year before he got hurt. He’s broad-shouldered, fluid for his size, and has that first-step explosiveness.

DMoney: If he was healthy last year, he would’ve played a ton as a true freshman. This is essentially a redshirt freshman year with starter-level snaps. I see star potential.

Herbert “Third” Scroggins​

DMoney: He played real snaps — including late in the Texas A&M game. He was in during high-leverage moments.

Peter Ariz: He kept earning reps because he didn’t make mistakes. High motor. Hetherman mentioned him before the season even started. That stood out.

DMoney: He was setting sack records in Georgia. He wasn’t a freak 4.5 guy, but he gained weight — now around 250 — and that natural feel translates.

Peter Ariz: Is he a more juiced-up Trent Harris? Maybe. Bigger frame. Productive. Instinctual.

DMoney: Akheem Mesidor brought him along to yoga and swimming workouts before the season. That maturity at 18 years old tells you a lot. He had a great mentor, too.

Booker Pickett​

DMoney: He played playoff snaps. Redshirt sophomore now. Natural pass rusher. Dominated the Under Armour game in high school and shot up the rankings.

Peter Ariz: It was a numbers game last year. You weren’t taking Bain or Mesidor off the field. Lightfoot was effective. Blount rotated in. It wasn’t just about ability.

DMoney: He needs to continue getting bigger and stronger. But if you can rush the passer, you’ll have a role. Him and Lightfoot are in a similar bucket to me, with Lightfoot ahead right now.

Cole McConathy​

DMoney: He played before some of the more highly ranked guys as a freshman. Got hurt. If he’s healthy, he brings a different body type — more of a base end.

Peter Ariz: He gained a lot of weight quickly, and sometimes that adjustment takes time. This is a big year for him.

DMoney: Some guys are slow burns. If he sticks with the program, keeps developing under Jason Taylor, his time can come.

Asharri Charles​

Peter Ariz: He’s already 240-245. Attacking workouts. Could be an early spring impact guy.

DMoney: He dominated at the All-America game. That’s how he became a top-100 recruit. Tremendous lower-body explosion. He wins with power.

Peter Ariz: Look at the bend. Look at the fluidity. He’s not stiff.

DMoney: He reminds me of the Seahawks’ edge guys over the years — undersized but powerful and explosive. I think he’ll play earlier than people expect.

DeAnthony Lafayette​

Peter Ariz: He’s more lateral quickness than power. Euro-steps tackles. Pure athleticism.

DMoney: He led 7A in sacks. Played running back. Balance is elite. He doesn't need to playe very down. Those sacks are drive killers.

Peter Ariz: If he adds strength, that upside is scary.