Legacy defensive lineman took a big step forward in 2024.
As we continue with the SOTU Awards, we give a player credit for the tireless work and personal development that has set him on a course to be a core member of the defensive line in 2024: DT Ahmad Moten Sr., Most Improved Player!
blessed year 3! pic.twitter.com/uLzWj6wDwG
— Ahmad Moten (@ahmad_moten) January 16, 2025
A 3-star recruit out of Ft. Lauderdale (FL) Cardinal Gibbons, Moten followed the path his brother, Anthony (a St. Thomas alum), took years before in picking Miami. The younger Moten was a solid HSFB player, but was a developmental prospect for Miami. While he had good size at 6’3” 290lbs, Moten would benefit from a year or two to develop his body and refine his skills.
After playing 2 games (early season blowouts) and redshirting in 2022, and playing a handful of snaps across 9 games 2023, Moten finally started to make his mark on the field in 2024. Now up to 6’3” 325lbs, Moten has the size and strength to be a valuable player on the front line of Miami’s defense.
To the surprise of some, Moten was the first DT off the bench in the opener against Florida, and that top-of-the-rotation status continued throughout the season. Moten was able to play at a consistent level, and improved his personal performance throughout the season. For his efforts, and performance, he earned his only start of the year in the regular season finale at Syracuse.
The growth Moten displayed from 2023 to 2024 was exactly what you’d hope for from a player going from year 2 to year 3. In 2023, Moten Sr. had 2 tackles and 1 interception (on a tipped ball), though he got snaps in 9 games, with no starts. In 2024, Moten played in all 13 games, starting 2, posting 18 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack, and 2 PBUs. When you consider the fact that he played about 4x the snaps he did the year before, the growth is readily apparent.
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Moten is the prototype of what you hope to see from a developmental player. He worked for years to put himself in a position to make an impact when the opportunity presented itself, and he took advantage of the situation when given playing time.
Honorable mentions for this award: LG Matthew McCoy, LB Raul “Popo” Aguirre, and LB Wesley Bissainthe. All took steps forward from 2023 to 2024, but none larger and more impactful than Moten.
With the growth seen over the last year, Moten is now firmly in the conversation at the top of the rotation for Miami’s defensive line next year. With Moten (and others) fortifying the interior of Miami’s defensive line (under former Canes standout and 1st round pick Damione Lewis, by the way), the Canes look to take steps forward on defense in 2025.
The work you do in private becomes known in public, and for Ahmad Moten Sr, it was quite an unveiling in the 2024 season. And that’s why he wins the SOTU Award for Most Improved Player.
Congratulations, Ahmad! We can’t wait to see what you do next year as well.