Miami Football: 3 early signees who'll have instant impacts in 2022

Miami Football: 3 early signees who’ll have instant impacts in 2022

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 07: New Head Coach Mario Cristobal of the Miami Hurricanes speaks with the media during a press conference introducing him at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at University of Miami on December 07, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Cristobal becomes the 26th head football coach in the program's history. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

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Dillard’s Nyjalik Kelly speaks with reporters after announcing his signing with Miami football on Dec. 15, 2021.Nyjalik2 Syndication Daytona Beach News Journal /

Nyjalik Kelly is one of the top defensive ends and defensive players in the country and Miami was able to reel him in at the start of the early signing period last Wednesday.

Kelly has been a top target for the Hurricanes for the entire recruiting cycle, but it did not appear that he would have signed with Miami if Manny Diaz was still the head coach.

The four-star defensive end had been very intrigued by playing for Mario Cristobal at Oregon but was unsure about leaving home to go to Eugene. With Cristobal getting hired at Miami, it seemingly made the decision easier for Kelly, and now the Hurricanes have one of the top defensive ends in the country.

One of the many things Miami’s defense struggled with this season was getting pressure on the quarterback. Kelly has a chance to get on the field right away and start applying pressure to quarterbacks next fall.

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