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Why the University of Miami Has a Playoff Caliber Defensive Line

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Dwinstitles said:
He's talented but everyone is talented in the league and they cream rise and the rest get replaced eventually.
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Are you talking about a particular player? The NFL does not care what round a player is drafted in, 1st rounders get replaced all the time and 4th rounders become All Pro players all the time.
 
I hope this thread lives until kickoff. Its fantastic reading. First game will be here before we know it with content like this to spend time on.
 
Hstokes1447 said:
Show me the facts to prove otherwise
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U’re asking for facts while not providing any urself. We showed nothing last yr to substantiate ur claims in the OP, & we proved last yr that u need a good defense on all 3 levels to compete at the highest level.

This same rhetoric was completely obliterated last season when another poster said if u have a strong DL, u don’t have to worry about the secondary, as many astute posters iterated their concerns w the backend. Well, those concerns were valid.

The examples that u used completely neglects the amount of defensive players, in total, those programs produced. The outliers are TCU & Arizona State b/c both got in by playing in the fun & gun Big 12 Conference where defense doesn’t mean a **** thing, & Boise St which was the highest rated G5 qualifier.

In order 4 Miami to get to the next level, our DL play needs to be sound, our LB play needs to be sound, & our secondary needs to be legit. Last season we were:
-19th in Rushing Def (better than UO, Clemson, ASU, UGA, Boise St, & ND)
-37th in TFL (better than ND, ASU, UO, & UGA)
-18th in Sacks (better than ASU, Clemson, UGA, PSU, ND, & UTenn).

These are all L.O.S stats, so by comparison to those who qualified for the CFP, we had a championship caliber DL last season. U know why we sucked on Def? B/c we had a G5 rated secondary.

-57th in passing yards allowed (only better than ASU & Boise St)
-93rd in passing TD allowed (only better than Boise St & SMU)
-57th in passing yards/completion (only better than Boise St)
-50th in Pass Def Efficiency (only better than Boise St)

So focusing on the DL vs. looking at the totality of the defense is a very myopic view, a view that was literally debunked last season. Until we field a fundamentally sound defense on all 3 levels, & it doesn’t even need to be elite, just fundamentally sound, we will not field a championship caliber defense. There’s way too many unknowns. right now, just like last season’s defense, particularly at the last 2 levels.
 
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Rellyrell said:
U’re asking for facts while not providing any urself. We showed nothing last yr to substantiate ur claims in the OP, & we proved last yr that u need a good defense on all 3 levels to compete at the highest level.

This same rhetoric was completely obliterated last season when another poster said if u have a strong DL, u don’t have to worry about the secondary, as many astute posters iterated their concerns w the backend. Well, those concerns were valid.

The examples that u used completely neglects the amount of defensive players, in total, those programs produced. The outliers are TCU & Arizona State b/c both got in by playing in the fun & gun Big 12 Conference where defense doesn’t mean a **** thing, & Boise St which was the highest rated G5 qualifier.

In order 4 Miami to get to the next level, our DL play needs to be sound, our LB play needs to be sound, & our secondary needs to be legit. Last season we were:
-19th in Rushing Def (better than UO, Clemson, ASU, UGA, Boise St, & ND)
-37th in TFL (better than ND, ASU, UO, & UGA)
-18th in Sacks (better than ASU, Clemson, UGA, PSU, ND, & UTenn).

These are all L.O.S stats, so by comparison to those who qualified for the CFP, we had a championship caliber DL last season. U know why we sucked on Def? B/c we had a G5 rated secondary.

-57th in passing yards allowed (only better than ASU & Boise St)
-93rd in passing TD allowed (only better than Boise St & SMU)
-57th in passing yards/completion (only better than Boise St)
-50th in Pass Def Efficiency (only better than Boise St)

So focusing on the DL vs. looking at the totality of the defense is a very myopic view, a view that was literally debunked last season. Until we field a fundamentally sound defense on all 3 levels, & it doesn’t even need to be elite, just fundamentally sound, we will not field a championship caliber defense. There’s way too many unknowns. right now, just like last season’s defense, particularly at the last 2 levels.
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This post in particular is full of facts actually and focusing only on the defensive e line and showing how NFL talent on the defensive line equates to playoff caliber defensive lines.in fact in the OP there is a list of every CFP team since 2023 and what players from those teams that went on to de drafted. The entire point of the post was to only highly the fact that Miami currently has 7 NFL caliber defensive lineman (according to mock drafts, as well as the 71% draft rate of 5 star defensive lineman, Miami currently has 3 draft eligible defensive lineman who are all listed in several mock drafts as well as 4 5 stars, these are facts ) that give Miami more than enough talent to be a playoff caliber defensive line and now it’s up to the coaches to coach and get the best out of the talent.

In addition I believe it’s completely insane to compare the current defense to the 2024 defense when there is a completely new staff, scheme and players. Miami only return 1 coach and 4 starters from the 2024 defense, so it’s safe to say we can expect different results.

If you would like to see my take on the defense as a whole here is a post that I made about the defense and why I believe it can be dominate.

Hstokes1447 said:
Miami's 2025 defense is a clear upgrade over the 2024 version in nearly every position group. While the 2024 defense mixed youth and experience, it lacked depth and underperformed due to injuries and scheme fit. The 2025 unit, under Hetherman with key transfers and development of the 5 star talent, is built for a major step forward.

Coaching Comparison: 2024 vs 2025

2024 Defensive Coordinator: Lance Guidry
  • Known for aggressive pressure, multiple fronts, and over use of stunts
  • Struggled with injuries and personnel mismatches
  • Key Stats (2024):
    • Total Defense: 42nd nationally
    • Scoring Defense: 24.1 PPG
    • Run Defense: 138.7 YPG
    • Pass Defense: 224.3 YPG
    • Turnovers Forced: 17
2025 Defensive Coordinator: Cory Hetherman
  • Focuses on discipline, gap integrity, and fundamentals
  • Inherits a deeper, more experienced unit
  • Key Stats (2024 at prior school):
    • Total Defense: 5th nationally
    • Scoring Defense: 18.3 PPG
    • Run Defense: 118.5 YPG
    • Pass Defense: 203.1 YPG
    • Turnovers Forced: 24
Edge: 2025 — Hetherman’s structured approach is expected to bring more consistency with fewer breakdowns and explosive plays.

Position Group Breakdown
Defensive Ends
  • 2024: Young, undersized, thin on depth. Injuries exposed the unit, when Bain (missed 4 games) and Alston (missed 5 games) went down it showed big time on the field in lack of pass rush.
  • 2025: Much deeper and more seasoned. Mesidor returns, to his natural position plus sophomores with solid experience.
    Edge: 2025
2024 DEs
Tyler Baron 6-5 255, 6th year SR, played in 48 games
Elijah Alston 6-2 256, 6th year SR, played in 42 games
Rueben Bain 6-3 275, SO, played in 13 games
Malik Bryant 6-2 225, SO, played in 8 games
Armondo Blount 6-4 260, FR, played 0 games
Cole McConathy 6-5 225, FR, played 0 games
Marquise Lightfoot 6-5 202, FR, played 0 games
Booker Pickett 6-4 210, FR, played 0 games
Elias Rudolph 6-5 205, FR, played 0 games

2025 DEs
Akheem Mesidor 6-3 260, 7th year SR, played in 51 games
Rueben Bain 6-3 265, JR, played in 25 games
Malik Bryant 6-2 240, JR, played in 22 games
Armondo Blount 6-4 270, SO, played 8 games
Cole McConathy 6-5 260, SO, played 9 games
Marquise Lightfoot 6-5 227, SO, played 9 games
Booker Pickett 6-4 230, RFR, played 4 games
Hayden Lowe 6-5 260, FR, played 0 games
Herbert Scroggins 6-3 235, FR, played 0 games

Defensive Tackles
  • 2024: More experience, but limited impact due to injuries and scheme.
  • 2025: Less experienced but higher ceiling. Scheme flexibility with Blount and Bain helps, I compare this DT group to the 2023 Michigan DT room. Going into the 2023 season, Michigan had major concerns about DT depth, so much so that Alessandro Lorenzetti was converted from OT to DT. They returned SR Kris Jenkins 6-3 299 who was named All‑Big Ten Honorable Mention the previous season, and SO Mason Graham who was named PFF True Freshman All‑America, after the 2022 season; no one else returning had contributed. So the team that went on to win the national championship went into the season hoping for a big year from some young DTs in SO Mason Graham and RFR Kenneth Grant. Sounds a lot like Miami with RSR David Blay who won First‑Team All‑CUSA and Honorable Mention All‑America, along with promising young DTs in SO Justin Scott and RFR Artavius Jones.
  • Edge: 2025 (Talent Up, Depth Down)
2024 DTs
Simeon Barrow 6-3 290, 6th year SR, played in 34 games
Akheem Mesidor 6-3 280, 6th year SR, played in 38 games
Marley Cook 6-2 298, 6th year SR, played in 49 games
C.J. Clark 6-3 305, 6th year SR, played in 42 games
Anthony Campbell 6-7 300, 6th year SR, played in 17 games
Ahmad Moten 6-3 305, RSO, played in 13 games
Josh Horton 6-4 295, RFR, played in 3 games
Justin Scott 6-4 280, FR, played in 0 games
Artavius Jones 6-3 300, FR, played in 0 games
Daylen Russell 6-3 275, FR, played in 0 games

2025 DTs
David Blay 6-4 304, 5th year SR, played in 22 games
Ahmad Moten 6-3 305, RJR, played in 25 games
Justin Scott 6-4 300, SO, played in 11 games
Artavius Jones 6-3 310, RFR, played in 1 games
Daylen Russell 6-3 300, RFR, played in 0 games
Donta Simpson 6-3 300, FR, played in 0 games
Mykah Newton 6-3 265, FR, played in 0 games

Linebackers
  • 2024: Mauigoa led, but depth was shaky as best. This unit looked confused and out of position a lot, Hetherman’s simplified system and emphasis on communication will help fix that.
  • 2025: the new scheme paired with 9 LBs with game experience, including experienced transfers like Toure and Bonner.
    Edge: 2025
2024 LBs
Francisco Mauigoa 6-2 233, SR, played in 38 games
Jaylin Alderman 6-1 230, RJR, played in 27 games
Chase Smith 6-2 220, RJR, played in 19 games
Wesley Bissainthe 6-1 220, JR, played in 26 games
PoPo Aguirre 6-2 230, SO, played in 23 games
Bobby Washington 6-3 220, RFR, played in 4 games
Cam Pruitt 6-2 200, FR, played in 0 games
Adarius Hayes 6-4 230, FR, played in 0 games

2025 LBs
Mohamed Toure 6-2 236, 7th year SR, played in 43 games
Jaylin Alderman 6-1 230, RSR, played in 38 games
Chase Smith 6-2 230, RSR, played in 31 games
Wesley Bissainthe 6-1 230, SR, played in 38 games
PoPo Aguirre 6-2 235, JR, played in 13 games
Kamal Bonner 6-2 220, RSO, played in 18 games
Bobby Washington 6-3 230, RSO, played in 15 games
Cam Pruitt 6-2 215, SO, played in 13 games
Adarius Hayes 6-4 240, SO, played in 12 games
Kellen Wiley 6-4 238, FR, played in 0 games
Ezekiel Marcelin 5-11 208, FR, played in 0 games

Cornerbacks
  • 2024: Thin and exposed after Damari Brown’s injury. Washington, Stafford, and Mack were not playable at all, leaving the team with a total of 3 CBs with Brown sidelined and two of those 3 were Jadais Richard who was also injured and the skinny and slow D'Yoni Hill who couldn’t catch a TE in the open field.
  • 2025: Overhauled with multiple talented and athletic transfers along with the return of standout OJ Frederique. This group is just better in every way
    Edge: 2025
2024 CBs
Jadais Richard 6-1 195, JR, played in 22 games
D'Yoni Hill 6-0 172, RSO, played in 23 games
Damari Brown 6-2 195, SO, played in 9 games
Robby Washington 5-11 180, RFR, played in 2 games
Robert Stafford 5-11 180, RFR, played in 0 games
OJ Frederique 6-0 180, FR, played in 0 games
Ryan Mack 5-11 170, FR, played in 0 games

2025 CBs
Jadais Richard 6-1 195, SR, played in 31 games
Damari Brown 6-2 195, RSO, played in 11 games
Ethan O'Connor 6-1 180, RSO, played in 13 games
OJ Frederique 6-0 190, SO, played in 13 games
Xavier Lucas 6-2 200, SO, played in 12 games
Ryan Mack 5-11 170, RFR, played in 0 games
Ja'Boree Antoine 6-1 180, FR, played in 0 games

Nickel
  • 2024: Due to injuries and lack of depth, Porter played out of position and it showed in a major way.
  • 2025: SEC-tested Keionte Scott leads group that actually has depth.
    Edge: 2025
2024 Nickels
Daryl Porter 5-10 185, RSR, played in 47 games

2025 Nickels
Keionte Scott 6-0 196, 6th year SR, played in 33 games
Charles Brantley 5-11 175, 5th year SR, played in 31 games (will be an outside corner, just listed here because he played it during spring)
Chris Ewald 6-1 180, FR, played in 0 games

Safeties
  • 2024: Weakest unit in the history of the University of Miami; lacked speed, tackling, and depth.
  • 2025: Features more talent, still questionable depth, but a few playable guys non the less, backed by bluechip freshman.
    Edge: 2025
2024 Safeties
Mishael Powell 6-1 210, 6th year SR, played in 36 games
Isaiah Taylor 5-11 200, RJR, played in 25 games
Markeith Williams 6-2 175, RSO, played in 15 games
Jaden Harris 6-0 190, RSO, played in 12 games
Isaiah Thomas 6-2 200, FR, played in 0 games
Dylan Day 6-2 190, FR, played in 0 games
Zaquan Patterson 6-0 190, FR, played in 0 games

2025 Safeties
Briton Allen 6-0 195, 7th year SR, played in 21 games
Jakobe Thomas 6-2 205, 5th year SR, played in 37 games
Isaiah Taylor 5-11 200, RSR, played in 29 games
Markeith Williams 6-2 190, RJR, played in 28 games
Zechariah Poyser 6-2 200 RSO, played in 18 games
Dylan Day 6-2 200, SO, played in 13 games
Bryce Fitzgerald 6-1 187, FR, played in 0 games
Amari Wallace 5-10 180, FR, played in 0 games

Individual Recognition
Past Awards
  • Akheem Mesidor: 2020 Freshman All-American, 2020 Second-Team All-Big 12, 2021 All-Big 12 Third Team, 2022 Honorable Mention All-ACC, 2024 Honorable Mention All-ACC
  • David Blay: First‑Team All‑CUSA and Honorable Mention All‑America
  • Rueben Bain: 2023 Freshman All‑America, 2023 All‑ACC Third Team, and 2024 All‑ACC Honorable Mention
  • Mohamed Toure: 2023 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
  • OJ Frederique: 2024 Freshman All‑America, and 2024 ACC All‑Conference Honorable Mention
  • Charles Brantley: 2024 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
  • Zechariah Poyser: Freshman All‑America and Second Team All‑CUSA

Minnesota vs Penn State


Minnesota vs USC


Final Verdict
Miami's 2025 defense will be bigger, faster, deeper, and better coached. With clear upgrades at nearly every position, especially DE, LB, DB, and Safety, the only question is DT depth — and the new scheme accounts for that with hybrid flexibility.

I keep watching Minnesota vs Penn State and imagining Miami players in those same roles. I know we are all suffering from PTSD of 20 years of being trash, but this Miami talent in Hetherman’s scheme could be scary.
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Last edited:
Hstokes1447 said:
This post in particular is full of facts actually and focusing only on the defensive e line and showing how NFL talent on the defensive line equates to playoff caliber defensive lines.in fact in the OP there is a list of every CFP team since 2023 and what players from those teams that went on to de drafted. The entire point of the post was to only highly the fact that Miami currently has 7 NFL caliber defensive lineman (according to mock drafts, as well as the 71% draft rate of 5 star defensive lineman, Miami currently has 3 draft eligible defensive lineman who are all listed in several mock drafts as well as 4 5 stars, these are facts ) that give Miami more than enough talent to be a playoff caliber defensive line and now it’s up to the coaches to coach and get the best out of the talent.

In addition I believe it’s completely insane to compare the current defense to the 2024 defense when there is a completely new staff, scheme and players. Miami only return 1 coach and 4 starters from the 2024 defense, so it’s safe to say we can expect different results.

If you would like to see my take on the defense as a whole here is a post that I made about the defense and why I believe it can be dominate.
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It’s not full of “facts” b/c it lacks context. U focused on the DL when in actuality these teams had great defenses in general.

They didn’t just produce DL NFL players, they produced defensive NFL players. So my point is we had a championship caliber DL last season based upon statistics that proves in a lot of areas we were better than those aforementioned teams u used in ur examples; in order for us to be a championship level defense, all 3 areas need to be sound, period.

So if our secondary is sound then we should be good to go.
 
Rellyrell said:
U’re asking for facts while not providing any urself. We showed nothing last yr to substantiate ur claims in the OP, & we proved last yr that u need a good defense on all 3 levels to compete at the highest level.

This same rhetoric was completely obliterated last season when another poster said if u have a strong DL, u don’t have to worry about the secondary, as many astute posters iterated their concerns w the backend. Well, those concerns were valid.

The examples that u used completely neglects the amount of defensive players, in total, those programs produced. The outliers are TCU & Arizona State b/c both got in by playing in the fun & gun Big 12 Conference where defense doesn’t mean a **** thing, & Boise St which was the highest rated G5 qualifier.

In order 4 Miami to get to the next level, our DL play needs to be sound, our LB play needs to be sound, & our secondary needs to be legit. Last season we were:
-19th in Rushing Def (better than UO, Clemson, ASU, UGA, Boise St, & ND)
-37th in TFL (better than ND, ASU, UO, & UGA)
-18th in Sacks (better than ASU, Clemson, UGA, PSU, ND, & UTenn).

These are all L.O.S stats, so by comparison to those who qualified for the CFP, we had a championship caliber DL last season. U know why we sucked on Def? B/c we had a G5 rated secondary.

-57th in passing yards allowed (only better than ASU & Boise St)
-93rd in passing TD allowed (only better than Boise St & SMU)
-57th in passing yards/completion (only better than Boise St)
-50th in Pass Def Efficiency (only better than Boise St)

So focusing on the DL vs. looking at the totality of the defense is a very myopic view, a view that was literally debunked last season. Until we field a fundamentally sound defense on all 3 levels, & it doesn’t even need to be elite, just fundamentally sound, we will not field a championship caliber defense. There’s way too many unknowns. right now, just like last season’s defense, particularly at the last 2 levels.
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People believed the dline would cover a weak secondary so much that they ended up slandering the dline when it didn’t even tho they were our best unit on defense by far
 
E1k said:
People believed the dline would cover a weak secondary so much that they ended up slandering the dline when it didn’t even tho they were our best unit on defense by far
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That’s all I’m saying. To say if u have a championship caliber DL = championship caliber defense has already been debunked.

While I wholly believe the DL is arguably the most important unit to set the standard for the defense, the fact is u could have the Steal Curtain DL w the 2024 Tulsa secondary, & I guarantee you’ll find urself losing more games than u should’ve been winning. So while the OP does highlight the importance of having a strong DL, it’s disingenuous b/c it doesn’t highlight these same teams sans Boise St, TCU, & ASU b/c of how they made the CFP, had solid defenses all around.

****, one can make an argument a championship secondary is more important than a championship DL b/c if ur secondary is a no fly zone, it immediately boxes in an offense, & gives the DL an opportunity to pin its ears back to just attack.
 
Hstokes1447 said:
For anyone to not be excited about David Blay, is crazy to me.

David Blay 2024:
  • 2024 Stats: 46 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks at NT taking on multiple blockers nearly every down
  • First Team All Conference USA
  • All-American (Phil Steele Honorable Mention)

When is the last time Miami had a First Team All Conference or All American caliber defensive tackle on a the roster? Go watch him play Arkansas and NC State, you will understand just how impactful Blay can be.
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All three will rotate in, will share starting snaps.

I watched every snap Blay made against Arkansas, and I understand why you're excited. Blay has strong balance and handles doubles well, with great recovery. Weaknesses were his first step and what I believe was a conditioning issue. He was stronger at the start of each half and got less penetration as the half went on. He rotated a lot.

TBH, I'd put him at about equal to where Moten ended last season, slightly ahead of where Scott ended. Based on reports, I don't think Blay has separated himself from the other two. From what I'm hearing/reading, they may have caught up to him.
 
Rellyrell said:
That’s all I’m saying. To say if u have a championship caliber DL = championship caliber defense has already been debunked.

While I wholly believe the DL is arguably the most important unit to set the standard for the defense, the fact is u could have the Steal Curtain DL w the 2024 Tulsa secondary, & I guarantee you’ll find urself losing more games than u should’ve been winning. So while the OP does highlight the importance of having a strong DL, it’s disingenuous b/c it doesn’t highlight these same teams sans Boise St, TCU, & ASU b/c of how they made the CFP, had solid defenses all around.

****, one can make an argument a championship secondary is more important than a championship DL b/c if ur secondary is a no fly zone, it immediately boxes in an offense, & gives the DL an opportunity to pin its ears back to just attack.
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Agreed this is why i think we might have a step back in developed & proven talent this year on the dline but i think our cb room can be elite and safeties can’t be worse(i hope), plus a more sound scheme so the dline will benefit from that
 
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Lightfoot. Excited for the season man
 
grover said:
All three will rotate in, will share starting snaps.

I watched every snap Blay made against Arkansas, and I understand why you're excited. Blay has strong balance and handles doubles well, with great recovery. Weaknesses were his first step and what I believe was a conditioning issue. He was stronger at the start of each half and got less penetration as the half went on. He rotated a lot.

TBH, I'd put him at about equal to where Moten ended last season, slightly ahead of where Scott ended. Based on reports, I don't think Blay has separated himself from the other two. From what I'm hearing/reading, they may have caught up to him.
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I agree that Moten and Scott could have caught up to him, and if so that is great news. If Miami can have all 3 DTs playing the way Blay played in 2024 this DT room will be pretty good.
 
Hstokes1447 said:
I agree that Moten and Scott could have caught up to him, and if so that is great news. If Miami can have all 3 DTs playing the way Blay played in 2024 this DT room will be pretty good.
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Yes provided no injuries. It’s too thin for a 13-16 game season even with Blount’s help.
 
grover said:
Yes provided no injuries. It’s too thin for a 13-16 game season even with Blount’s help.
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They will have to find a way to get Jones, Russell, and Simpson, ready to contribute by mid to late season, if this team is going to make a serious run.
 
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