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This defensive line can’t be blocked

Hstokes1447

Hstokes1447

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Miami just completely dismantled the best offensive line left in the playoffs. They held them to 89 rushing yards at 2.5 yards per carry, added 7 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Bain and Mesidor turned Trey “I don’t think he’ll be a threat” Zuhn into a turnstile. Zuhn is the best individual offensive lineman in the SEC (Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner and 1st Team All-SEC), and as a unit A&M was one of, if not the highest rated offensive lines remaining in the CFP outside of Miami’s own.

Ohio State struggled with Indiana. This Miami defensive line will wreck them. Get ready for ring 6 guys.
 
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A lot of you laughed when I said this will be a playoff caliber defensive line back in August, but yesterday they more than proved it.

Hstokes1447 said:
The foundation of any College Football Playoff contender is often built on a dominant defensive line that can pressure quarterbacks, stop the run, and anchor the defense. When comparing Miami’s defensive front to teams that have consistently reached the CFP over the past three seasons, it’s clear Miami’s defensive line has the necessary talent to be a CFP caliber defensive lines.

NFL Draft as the Benchmark for Defensive Line Talent
One of the most objective ways to measure a college defensive line’s caliber is by evaluating NFL Draft results. Over the last three CFP seasons, only one CFP team had more than three defensive linemen drafted in the immediate NFL Draft after that season. Many playoff teams featured 1–3 linemen drafted, reflecting the high level of talent required to compete at the highest level.

Miami’s NFL Caliber Talent
Currently, the Miami Hurricanes have three players projected to be drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to several reputable mock drafts:
  • Rueben Bain: Projected as a mid to late first round pick
  • Akheem Mesidor: Projected as a late round pick
  • David Blay: Projected as a mid round pick.
Further, Miami’s defensive line talent pipeline includes 2027 draft-eligible former 5-star recruits:
  • Justin Scott
  • Marquise Lightfoot
  • Armondo Blount
And possibly Hayden Lowe, as he will be draft eligible in 2028. Of the past 31 draft eligible 5 star defensive linemen (according to 247 composite ranking), 22 were drafted, a 71% conversion rate , indicating a strong likelihood these players will reach the NFL.

This gives Miami a total of 7 potential draftable defensive lineman for the 2025 season.

Comparative NFL Draft Production for Recent CFP Defensive Lines

2022–2023 CFP Season Defensive Line NFL Draft Production:
  • Georgia
    • 2 DL drafted immediately after: Jalen Carter (1st rd), Robert Beal Jr (5th rd)
      • Zion Logue drafted 6th round in 2024 (redshirt on team)
  • Michigan
    • 2 DL drafted immediately after: Mazi Smith (1st rd), Mike Morris (5th rd)
      • Kris Jenkins, Jaylen Harrell (returning juniors), Mason Graham (true freshman) on roster
  • Ohio State
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: Zach Harrison (3rd rd)
      • Michael Hall Jr. (2nd rd 2024) and several redshirt/returning players on roster
  • TCU
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: Dylan Horton (4th rd)

2023–2024 CFP Season Defensive Line NFL Draft Production:
  • Alabama
    • 3 DL drafted immediately after: Dallas Turner (1st rd), Chris Braswell (2nd rd), Justin Eboigbe (4th rd)
  • Michigan
    • 2 DL drafted immediately after: Kris Jenkins (2nd rd), Jaylen Harrell (7th rd)
      • Mason Graham (1st rd 2025), Kenneth Grant (1st rd 2025), Josaiah Stewart (3rd rd 2025) all on roster during playoffs
  • Texas
    • 2 DL drafted immediately after: Byron Murphy II (1st rd), T'Vondre Sweat (2nd rd)
  • Washington
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: Bralen Trice (3rd rd)

2024–2025 CFP Season Defensive Line NFL Draft Production (expanded 12-team playoff):
  • Clemson
    • 0 DL drafted immediately after:
      • Projected 3 DL drafted in 2026
  • Georgia
    • 3 DL drafted immediately after: Mykel Williams (1st rd), Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (5th rd), Warren Brinson (6th rd)
  • Indiana
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: CJ West (4th rd)
  • Ohio State
    • 4 DL drafted immediately after: Tyleik Williams (1st rd), JT Tuimoloau (2nd rd), Jack Sawyer (4th rd), Ty Hamilton (5th rd)
  • Oregon
    • 3 DL drafted immediately after: Derrick Harmon (1st rd), Jordan Burch (3rd rd), Jamaree Caldwell (3rd rd)
  • Penn State
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: Abdul Carter (1st rd)
  • SMU
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: Elijah Roberts (5th rd)
  • Tennessee
    • 2 DL drafted immediately after: James Pearce Jr. (1st rd), Omarr Norman-Lott (2nd rd)
  • Texas
    • Alfred Collins (2nd rd), Vernon Broughton (3rd rd), Barryn Sorrell (4th rd)
  • Notre Dame
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: Rylie Mills (4th rd)
  • Boise State
    • 1 DL drafted immediately after: Ahmed Hassanein (6th rd)
  • Arizona State
    • 0 DL drafted immediately after:

What This Means for Miami’s Defensive Line
Miami currently matches or exceeds many CFP teams in NFL caliber talent on the defensive front. The Hurricanes have:
  • Multiple 2026 NFL Draft projections
  • A pipeline of elite, high-ceiling 5-star recruits who have a historically strong likelihood (71%) of being drafted in their eventual draft years.
  • Depth and versatility, with players able to contribute and develop into NFL prospects.

Conclusion
When comparing the University of Miami's defensive line talent to recent CFP teams, the data clearly supports Miami as a playoff caliber front. The number of NFL draft eligible defensive linemen, places Miami in the same tier as Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, with Texas and Ohio Stats, having more draftable defensive lineman on their rosters.. This isn’t speculation; it’s data driven, evidence showing Miami’s defensive front has the necessary talent to be a formidable, playoff ready unit.
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Hstokes1447 said:
Miami just completely dismantled the best offensive line left in the playoffs. They held them to 89 rushing yards at 2.5 yards per carry, added 7 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Bain and Mesidor turned Trey “we’re not worried about Bain” Zuhn into a turnstile. Zuhn is the best individual offensive lineman in the SEC, and as a unit A&M was one of, if not the highest rated offensive lines remaining in the CFP outside of Miami’s own.

Ohio State struggled with Indiana. This Miami defensive line will wreck them. Get ready for ring 6 guys.
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I hope you are right.

Actually, I think that might be exactly what I said when you posted your awesome and super-informative thread breaking down the defense right before the season started! Season has flown by and look where we are…

Happy New Year! 🎊 🍾
 
caneingville said:
I hope you are right.

Actually, I think that might be exactly what I said when you posted your awesome and super-informative thread breaking down the defense right before the season started! Season has flown by and look where we are…

Happy New Year! 🎊 🍾
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Go watch Indiana defensive line against Ohio State. They forced Sayin into some bad decisions that ultimately lead to Indiana winning the game.

Ohio State’s offensive line is just a little better than mid and that’s just not going to cut it against this front 4.
 
Hstokes1447 said:
Go watch Indiana defensive line against Ohio State. They forced Sayin into some bad decisions that ultimately lead to Indiana winning the game.

Ohio State’s offensive line is just a little better than mid and that’s just not going to cut it against this front 4.
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Thanks, I definitely will. I missed that game and haven’t seen much of OSU at all this year. Don’t know much about them except what the media and social media says, so I know nothing.

I’m VERY interested to find out over the next week whether their D is really that good.
 
caneingville said:
Thanks, I definitely will. I missed that game and haven’t seen much of OSU at all this year. Don’t know much about them except what the media and social media says, so I know nothing.

I’m VERY interested to find out over the next week whether their D is really that good.
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Much like Texas A&M, Ohio State didn’t play the best programs in their conference until they faced Indiana and we see how that turned out.

Ohio State has not faced a defensive or offensive line as good as Miami’s all season and when you throw in the rust factor (will be 25 days since they last played), Miami should dominate them up front.
 
Hstokes1447 said:
Much like Texas A&M, Ohio State didn’t play the best programs in their conference until they faced Indiana and we see how that turned out.

Ohio State has not faced a defensive or offensive line as good as Miami’s all season and when you throw in the rust factor (will be 25 days since they last played), Miami should dominate them up front.
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You read my mind. That’s exactly why I am curious to know how good they really are.
 
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Second most sacks in a game in the history of the CFP

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“We lost the game at the line of scrimmage, and I think it got worse in the second half,” “I think we just couldn’t keep them off of us. We couldn’t get the run game established. We became one dimensional. Once we became one dimensional, they were able to tee off. I think they finished with seven sacks. We didn’t win the line of scrimmage.

“You can’t play playoff football and not win the line of scrimmage. Obviously they were able to get the run game going, and we wound up losing the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and you’re just not going to win when that’s the case.”


- Mike Elko in his post game press conference
 
Genghis Cane said:
It will be up to them to get pressure on Sayin early because I’m not sure which corner can guard Smith all game. That’s a tough assignment.
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He can’t catch the ball if it’s not thrown to him. After watching several Ohio State games, I fully expect Sayin to be pressured or sacked on 60-70% of his passing attempts.

To be completely honest I believe Miami have the DBs to match up very well against Smith. For the most part he wins by out muscling smaller defenders and Brown (hopefully he is can return) and X are both big and strong enough to hold up against him.

Also I can’t see any of Miami corners being scared of JS being most of them have played with or against him since they were in little league.

The Ohio State passing base is based on timing, their QB is a lot like Beck, deadly accurate when given the time, but struggles like craze and will turn the ball over when there is pressure. Indiana sacked him 6 times and pressured him several other times. Basically he was running for his life all game and he can’t run, resulting in only 10 points scored.
 
Hoyacane1620 said:
“We lost the game at the line of scrimmage, and I think it got worse in the second half,” “I think we just couldn’t keep them off of us. We couldn’t get the run game established. We became one dimensional. Once we became one dimensional, they were able to tee off. I think they finished with seven sacks. We didn’t win the line of scrimmage.

“You can’t play playoff football and not win the line of scrimmage. Obviously they were able to get the run game going, and we wound up losing the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and you’re just not going to win when that’s the case.”


- Mike Elko in his post game press conference
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And this is why Miami wins the national championship, simply have the best trenches in the field.
 
Hstokes1447 said:
He can’t catch the ball if it’s not thrown to him. After watching several Ohio State games, I fully expect Sayin to be pressured or sacked on 60-70% of his passing attempts.

To be completely honest I believe Miami have the DBs to match up very well against Smith. For the most part he wins by out muscling smaller defenders and Brown (hopefully he is can return) and X are both big and strong enough to hold up against him.

Also I can’t see any of Miami corners being scared of JS being most of them have played with or against him since they were in little league.

The Ohio State passing base is based on timing, their QB is a lot like Beck, deadly accurate when given the time, but struggles like craze and will turn the ball over when there is pressure. Indiana sacked him 6 times and pressured him several other times. Basically he was running for his life all game and he can’t run, resulting in only 10 points scored.
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Sayin's #s weren't that bad against OSU..OSU just could not run the ball at all and couldn't score or get the extra few yards when they needed it.

He was 21/29 for 258 yards 1TD 1INT. 72% completion and 9ypa.

And his 6 sacks were a killer because they resulted in -29 yards.
 
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caneingville said:
Thanks, I definitely will. I missed that game and haven’t seen much of OSU at all this year. Don’t know much about them except what the media and social media says, so I know nothing.

I’m VERY interested to find out over the next week whether their D is really that good.
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Their Defense is very legit. Littered with high end NFL talent, especially in front 7. Style makes fight and I hope we actually have coaches who dont just think now we can pound mark fletcher into brick walls.. A&M weakness was run game but OSU is tougher, we will be able to pass block better and so that should allow Beck to operate more, need Beck to earn his money this game. The key will be can our WR create separation against very talented DBs..
 
skyman said:
Their Defense is very legit. Littered with high end NFL talent, especially in front 7. Style makes fight and I hope we actually have coaches who dont just think now we can pound mark fletcher into brick walls.. A&M weakness was run game but OSU is tougher, we will be able to pass block better and so that should allow Beck to operate more, need Beck to earn his money this game. The key will be can our WR create separation against very talented DBs..
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How do you think our DBs will match up with their WRs?
 
caneingville said:
How do you think our DBs will match up with their WRs?
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I would hope we can have a gameplan for Smith like Texas last year.. Just throw bodies at him and have someone else beat you, they do have Tate but not Emeka this year.. I think we have th guys to do it, and like Pond for IU, we will not be scared of Smith because they grew up playing with/against him.

We just played a legit WR core with 3 weapons and eliminated the #1 option in Concepcion. OSU QB is wayyy more accurate tho but a slight statue in pocket compared to Reed. I think we can rattle him but we will see.. Hope #2 is able to play this game coming up.
 
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