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Miami football hopes to capitalize on returning experience in 2021

By Jackson Caudell

Dec 29, 2020; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz (green shirt) leads his team on the field prior to the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Miami Hurricanes for the Cheez-It Bowl Game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2020; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz (green shirt) leads his team on the field prior to the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Miami Hurricanes for the Cheez-It Bowl Game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Corey Flagg Jr and Waynmon Steed, Miami Football. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Flagg Jr and Waynmon Steed, Miami Football. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense has a surprising amount of question marks

When Manny Diaz arrived at Miami as the defensive coordinator in 2016, the Hurricanes have had some of the best defenses in the country and they have produced solid ends and linebackers as well. Those two position groups are the biggest question marks on the team and Miami needs to find answers if they want to win the Coastal division.

On the defensive line, Miami is losing two first-round ends in Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau and a sixth-rounder in Quincy Roche. That has left a huge void on the edge and Miami brought in Tennessee transfer Deandre Johnson to help and linebacker Zach McCloud is moving to end to provide depth, but it needs a young talented guy like Jahfari Harvey or Chantz Williams to step up and take a starting role.

On the interior, Nesta Silvera returns and could be an All-Conference player and this position has depth with Jon Ford, Jordan Miller, and five-star freshman Leonard Taylor with him. Look for Taylor to play sooner rather than later.

The biggest question on the team and the defense for Miami is at linebacker.

Miami started Bradley Jennings and Waynmon Steed at times last season and both were disasters in games against Clemson and North Carolina. For Miami’s defense to bounce back, guys like Corey Flagg Jr. and Avery Huff need to step up and live up to their talent level. Look out for young players like Tirek Austin-Cave and converted safety Keontra Smith to vie for playing time as well. Gilbert Frierson will once again be the striker and he might be the best player on the defense.

In the secondary, Miami added one of the best transfers in the portal in Georgia cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and he should be an immediate starter. DJ Ivey and Al Blades Jr. are back at corner and keep an eye on Te’Cory Couch to make an impact. Bubba Bolden is an All-American candidate at safety, but they need someone to step up beside him. Guervan Hall should start again, but look out for freshman James Williams and Kamren Kitchens to challenge for time.

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