the strength of the defense could not save its shortcomings
There’s no sugar coating how badly the Hurricanes defense collapsed as the 2024 season progressed, but the collapse occurred despite strong play from the defensive line. The line was supposed to be the star of the 2024 Hurricanes defense, and by and large the unit performed admirably.
DE Reuban Bain Jr. was the presumptive star of the defense heading into the season. Coming off earning 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year, Bain was named to preseason Lombardi and Bednarik watch lists, but three plays into the opening game against Florida, Bain suffered a “soft tissue” calf injury. While the Hurricanes missed much of Bain’s production, the defensive line is fortunately one of the deepest units on the whole team.
Starters
- DT Simeon Barrow (First Team All-ACC) – 13 games, 30 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
- DE Tyler Baron (All-ACC Hon. Mention) – 13 games, 38 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
- DT/DE Akheem Mesidor (All-ACC Hon. Mention) – 13 games, 32 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks
- DE Reuban Bain Jr. (All-ACC Hon. Mention) – 9 games, 23 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
- DE Elijah Alston – 8 games, 19 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks
- DT Ahamad Moten – 13 games, 18 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Impressively, every single starter earned All-ACC honors, even preseason star Reuban Bain Jr. despite missing 4 games at the start of last season. When Bain went down early in the Florida game, Elijah Alston slid into a starting role, but Alston himself then missed several games midseason just as Bain was returning to the lineup.
The stalwart leader of the group was Barrow, who earned First Team All-ACC honors and State of the U’s Defensive Player of the Year. State of the U also awarded Moten its Most Improved Player of the Year given the former 3 star recruit’s impressive growth this past year, earning him two spot starts and significant playing time in every game.
The Hurricanes defensive line is a testament to the power of the transfer portal, and Coach Cristobal’s ability to reach into it to facilitate Miami’s high school recruits continued development. Barrow (Michigan St.), Baron (Tennessee), Mesidor (West Virginia), and Alston (Marshall) were all transfer portal additions in either 2023 or 2024.
This was Barrow and Baron final year of eligibility, which will open the door for several contributors, redshirting freshmen, and portal transfers to earn playing time.
Contributors
- DT C.J. Clark – 13 games, 19 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks
- DE Malik Bryant – 12 games, 17 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks
- DT Justin Scott – 12 games, 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
- DT Marley Cook – 12 games, 9 tackles
- DT Josh Horton – 5 games, 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
- DE Anthony Campbell – 8 games, 1 tackle, 1 tackle for loss
- DE Cole McConathy II – 8 games, 1 tackle
Miami played particularly deep on the inside, where six interior lineman saw action in at least twelve games – not including Josh Horton who was battling injuries most of the season.
The end position was a tighter rotation, but sophomore Malik Bryant saw regular appearances on the edge. It will be interesting to see if Bryant, who was a high 4 star prospect at linebacker, continues to develop as an edge rusher or if new Defensive Coordinator Corey Hetherman stands Bryant back up to his more natural linebacker position. Louisiana-Monroe transfer Anthony Campbell also saw an increase in playing opportunities after appearing in only one game in 2023.
Two freshman burned their redshirts – 5 star prospect Justin Scott and 3 star prospect Cole McConathy. Scott was a center piece of the 2024 recruiting class, so it was no surprise to see him make the rotation as a true freshman. McConathy, on the other hand, was a bit of a surprise to earn consistent playing time, even if it was often on special teams.
Freshman Redshirting
- DE/DT Armondo Blount (5* Recruit, No. 4 DL Nationally – SotU Recruiting Notebook)
- DE Booker Pickett Jr. (4* Recruit, No. 17 EDGE Nationally – SotU Recruiting Notebook)
- DE Elias Rudolph (4* Recruit, No. 27 EDGE Nationally – SotU Recruiting Notebook)
- DT Daylen Russell (3* Recruit, No. 129 DL Nationally – SotU Recruiting Notebook)
And this is why building depth is critical. While Cristobal and staff opted to burn five star freshman Justin Scott’s redshirt, there are still three high pedigree recruits who preserved a year of eligibility. Blount and Pickett Jr. looked particularly promising during their limited appearances and both seem poised to crack the rotation next year, if not outright push for starter appearances.