Miami Football: Can Hurricanes bounce back, win ACC in 2019?

Defense looks to remain elite again

The highlight of the Hurricanes’ season a year ago was their defense, which was headlined by their dominating line. And while their defense looks to be the backbone once again, that defensive line will need some inexperienced players to step up and fill the voids that departed for the 2019 NFL Draft.

The real struggle will be in the pass game. One of the nation’s best passing defenses last season sees three of its top players leave but have some hope as Trajan Bandy enters his junior year as on of the country’s best cornerbacks.

The real strength of the Miami defense can be found right in the middle at the linebacker position. Experience and dominance headlines the Hurricanes’ linebacking corps that will look to add support to both the defensive line and the secondary. Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney, both entering their senior seasons, finished 2018 with a combined 9.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss, and are set up to have their final season as productive as last year.

Can the Hurricanes’ defense continue to hold their own or will the key departures cause them to break in 2019?