The Run Down
At the beginning of the 2017 season, UM’s defensive line was thought to be the deepest part of the roster, hands down, no doubt about it, as there were plenty of players to rotate in and out to maintain fresh legs. Then-Defensive Line coach Craig Kuligowski took heed of this group and made them a scary force for any team to deal with. The team was at least two-deep at every position on the line, but oh how the tides have turned. With the departure of three seniors, two juniors to the NFL Draft, and one transfer, it is suddenly an opportunistic shot for a few players to not only earn more playing time, but get valuable time to jump start their career with the team.
Defensive Tackle
Projected Starters: SR Gerald Willis and FR Nesta Silvera
With the losses of RJ McIntosh, Kendrick Norton, and senior Anthony Moten, the team has their work cut out for them in replacing their production and impact. McIntosh’s athleticism was a living nightmare for every offensive line to deal with this season, not even from just the plethora of moves RJ offered but he also added seven passes deflected. No more McIntosh and Norton equals a huge opportunity for both Gerald Willis and Nesta Silvera. Willis has had a very interesting career in Miami since transferring from Florida in 2015. Willis was expected to add to the depth on the line in 2017 but sat out due to unknown circumstances. He did however remain in school and according to many reports, has been completely destroying it as a member of the scout team. He played sparingly in 2016 but if all stays well, he should be a shoe-in for one of the starting slots. In addition, Miami added highly-touted DT Nesta Silvera from American Heritage. Known for his bull-rushing prowess, Silvera had been committed to Miami for about a year before officially signing and he proved he was no fluke after an outstanding performance at the Under Armour All-American game. The 6’2”, 300 lb. Silvera will arrive on campus in the summer and is expected to make a huge push for the second spot. Jon Ford, the sophomore from Fort Lauderdale, played in spurts last season but he definitely has the size and strength to make a much bigger impact this season. Junior Pat Bethel will absolutely be in the rotation, with Tyreic Martin in the mix as well.
Defensive End
Projected Starters: SR Demetrius Jackson & JR Joseph Jackson
Like the situation at defensive tackle, there is a slightly positive outlook at defensive end. Chad Thomas was a late bloomer in his Hurricane career and started to wreak havoc during his senior season, as he was tied for the team-lead this past season with 12.5 tackles for loss. The team also loses Trent Harris to graduation, who led the team with 8.5 sacks. But nevertheless, Miami’s worries are minimal as they do have a pair of exciting guys next in line. Senior Demetrius Jackson suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the last four games of last season and finished with 7.5 tackles for loss. Everyone knew Joe Jackson’s name by the time he stepped on campus as a true freshman, and now with less players involved in the rotation, big ol’ Joe will get a lot more opportunities to build on the 14 sacks he’s had in his two seasons at Miami. Another name to keep an eye on that could break out this year is sophomore Jonathan Garvin. As a true freshman, Garvin had five tackles, but three of those tackles were sacks and on two of those sacks, he forced fumbles. Scott Patchan will be in the mix for playing time, while early enrollee Gregory Rosseau will most likely be redshirted as he is being given time to add weight.
At the beginning of the 2017 season, UM’s defensive line was thought to be the deepest part of the roster, hands down, no doubt about it, as there were plenty of players to rotate in and out to maintain fresh legs. Then-Defensive Line coach Craig Kuligowski took heed of this group and made them a scary force for any team to deal with. The team was at least two-deep at every position on the line, but oh how the tides have turned. With the departure of three seniors, two juniors to the NFL Draft, and one transfer, it is suddenly an opportunistic shot for a few players to not only earn more playing time, but get valuable time to jump start their career with the team.
Defensive Tackle
Projected Starters: SR Gerald Willis and FR Nesta Silvera
With the losses of RJ McIntosh, Kendrick Norton, and senior Anthony Moten, the team has their work cut out for them in replacing their production and impact. McIntosh’s athleticism was a living nightmare for every offensive line to deal with this season, not even from just the plethora of moves RJ offered but he also added seven passes deflected. No more McIntosh and Norton equals a huge opportunity for both Gerald Willis and Nesta Silvera. Willis has had a very interesting career in Miami since transferring from Florida in 2015. Willis was expected to add to the depth on the line in 2017 but sat out due to unknown circumstances. He did however remain in school and according to many reports, has been completely destroying it as a member of the scout team. He played sparingly in 2016 but if all stays well, he should be a shoe-in for one of the starting slots. In addition, Miami added highly-touted DT Nesta Silvera from American Heritage. Known for his bull-rushing prowess, Silvera had been committed to Miami for about a year before officially signing and he proved he was no fluke after an outstanding performance at the Under Armour All-American game. The 6’2”, 300 lb. Silvera will arrive on campus in the summer and is expected to make a huge push for the second spot. Jon Ford, the sophomore from Fort Lauderdale, played in spurts last season but he definitely has the size and strength to make a much bigger impact this season. Junior Pat Bethel will absolutely be in the rotation, with Tyreic Martin in the mix as well.
Defensive End
Projected Starters: SR Demetrius Jackson & JR Joseph Jackson
Like the situation at defensive tackle, there is a slightly positive outlook at defensive end. Chad Thomas was a late bloomer in his Hurricane career and started to wreak havoc during his senior season, as he was tied for the team-lead this past season with 12.5 tackles for loss. The team also loses Trent Harris to graduation, who led the team with 8.5 sacks. But nevertheless, Miami’s worries are minimal as they do have a pair of exciting guys next in line. Senior Demetrius Jackson suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the last four games of last season and finished with 7.5 tackles for loss. Everyone knew Joe Jackson’s name by the time he stepped on campus as a true freshman, and now with less players involved in the rotation, big ol’ Joe will get a lot more opportunities to build on the 14 sacks he’s had in his two seasons at Miami. Another name to keep an eye on that could break out this year is sophomore Jonathan Garvin. As a true freshman, Garvin had five tackles, but three of those tackles were sacks and on two of those sacks, he forced fumbles. Scott Patchan will be in the mix for playing time, while early enrollee Gregory Rosseau will most likely be redshirted as he is being given time to add weight.
