Miami Hurricanes Preview: Year Three of the Cristobal Era Part 2

Miami, Florida – Now that part one of the Miami Hurricanes preview is out, it is time to unveil the next section of the third year of the Cristobal. The offense can only do so much if the defense can’t make stops. The Canes lost several players to the portal during the offseason. Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jayden Wayne, Jahfari Harvey, Chantz Williams, Nyjalik Kelly, Cyrus Moss, and Collins Acheampong are among those who transferred out. Kamren Kinchens, Jaden Davis, and James Williams were drafted into the NFL.

Although fans can take comfort in the front seven pressuring opposing quarterbacks, many will observe the secondary. Coach Cristobal made sure to plug up the holes found among the defensive backs but whether it was enough remains to be seen. The Florida Gators can provide a glimpse into their abilities.

“In-game adjustments are the most important thing as a college coach right now.” — @CoachLGuidry

Check out the full conversation between Coach Guidry and @joshdarrow here ⬇️https://t.co/ilAWkr2XdE#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/pUR88TYQbS

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) July 28, 2023

Pressuring upfront

On the opposite side of the ball, the Hurricanes project to have one of the best defensive lines nationally thanks in part to several transfers. They’ll have Simeon Barrow Jr. who transferred from Michigan State gathering 110 tackles, 10.5 Sacks, and two forced fumbles during his three-year stint. All-SEC edge rusher Tyler Baron joins him from Louisville, although he never took a snap there, arriving from a four-year tenure at Tennessee, solidifying Miami’s pass rush. Elsewhere Akheem Mesidor and Reuben Bain Jr. are ready to create serious havoc. Mesidor played two games last season due to injury but he’s now healthy. The Bain Train was absolutely dominant in his debut season earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year compiling 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

Simeon Barrow Jr. sacks QB Graham Mertz.

The two will meet again Aug. 31st pic.twitter.com/xDIDqJh8PV

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) May 4, 2024

C.J. Clark battled injuries early in his career but started all of 2023 for NC State collecting 22 tackles, four for loss, and a sack.  Clark will be an interesting run-stopper to watch. Tyler Baron, meanwhile, is a redshirt senior from Tennessee. In four seasons with the Volunteers, Baron was a force via 101 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Elijah Alston comes in from Marshall totaling 108 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one INT after five seasons with the Thundering Herd. Alston brings value as a utility player who can be an edge rusher or something else.

Marley Cook is an interior pass rusher from Middle Tennessee. Barrow, Clark, and Cook project as the top three DTs this year. Anthony Campbell, Joshua Horton, and Ahmad Moten will be depth pieces. Miami has a scary duo of edge rushers in Bain and Baron.

Marshall DL transfer Elijah Alston will be in Athens this weekend for a visit.

Alston has 45 total tackles, 6 sacks, 2 FFs, 1 INT, and a TD in 2023 pic.twitter.com/zHDDWOWf9O

— 704 Dawg (@FSFRecruits) January 4, 2024

Secondary and linebackers

D’Yoni Hill had 55 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 10 pass breakups, and a forced fumble in ’23 adding depth to the defense. Interestingly enough, he played for both defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and cornerback coach Chevis Jackson at Marshall. The backfield is further bolstered with Mishael Powell. Formally of the Washington Huskies Powell brings lots of experience serving five years with them, picking off three throws on top of numerous pass breakups and finishing the campaign with 38 tackles.

Mishael Powell to the 🏠!!! pic.twitter.com/uOS3oZnsWG

— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) October 22, 2023

These three will be complemented by Daryl Porter Jr., Jaden Harris, and Damari Brown. Porter is one of the best defenders around able to handcuff receivers while Harris comes into the 2024 campaign effort. After two seasons with the Hurricanes, his time has arrived. Harris is slated to start opposite Powell at safety. He played in 10 games last season recording seven tackles. Brown will start at cornerback.

For the linebackers, we’ll start with one of the key individuals on the team Francisco Mauigoa. He led the squad with 18 tackles for loss and was tied with the most sacks (7.5). Next is Wesley Bissainthe who has watched his role steadily increase. Last year Bissainthe managed 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Known as an excellent tackler, coach Guidry will be expecting even more. The position is fortified via star Louisville transfer Jaylin Alderman. One of the best LBs available in the portal, Alderman is both experienced and productive recording 62 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. Raul Aguirre Jr. rounds out the position by adding depth to a talented unit. Aguirre appeared in all 13 games working with special teams and the sophomore looks to gain further experience.

Let’s watch the newest Miami Hurricane transfer, ex- Louisville LB Jaylin Alderman (6-1, 230, 62 tackles LY) vs. Miami.

Tackling technique like this just warms my hard. Hits Colbie Young with the right-hand club, while tracking the outside hip with his off-hand. pic.twitter.com/YxF6W6ioA7

— Jeremy Marks-Peltz (@JMP1063) April 28, 2024

Special Teams

This is an area that remained fairly stable. Kicker Andy Borregales and punter Dylan Joyce are back as key specialists. Borregales has shown elite stuff hitting 22 of 26 field goal attempts in ’23. Perfect within 30 yards, he only missed once in five attempts at the 40-49 range and was four of six at 50-plus yards. He was also great at kick-offs. Joyce had a good first season at Miami continuing the Australian connection after Lou Hedley’s departure. The sophomore averaged 41.9 yards per punt and pulled off 17 within the 20-yard line giving the defense an initial advantage. Xavier Restrepo and Ray Ray Joseph will handle returns.

✔️𝟒𝟕
✔️𝟓𝟎
✔️𝟒𝟖

Overtime win. 🙌🏽
Lou Groza Star of the Week. ⭐️
Now 15/16 on the season. 🎯 #𝐅𝐀𝐁𝟓𝟎 @Borregales_andy pic.twitter.com/EuU73Wigtl

— Brandon Kornblue (@KornblueKicking) November 1, 2023

Season Prediction: 10-2

The part we were all waiting for! All eyes will be on the Canes’ first opponent. The last time UM played the Florida Gators was back in 2019. The Hurricanes lost 24-20 on a neutral field in Orlando back when Bubba Baxa was Miami’s kicker. Unpleasant memories aside, this will be an early test against an in-state rival. If running back Montrell Johnson Jr. and quarterback Graham Mertz can be contained this will go a long way with the offense. If Mertz gets loose, his go-to guy is Eugene Wilson III. The defense was horrible the last two seasons and the reporting indicates a lot of work for improvement remains. Cam and company should have no problem torching the Gators.

I expect Miami to get off to a fast 4-0 start in time for conference play. The next two games will be interesting to see. If Kyron Drones has a bad day at the Hardrock you can mark a dub versus Virginia Tech, otherwise, this may be an L. The visit to California is the designated trap game. However, this is a business trip and they’ll get it done. There is little reason to believe the Canes won’t go 6-0 into the first bye especially if they win against the Gators. They’ll need the rest because Miami plays Louisville on the road followed by a home game versus FSU.

The Cards are coming from a 10-win season including a title game appearance and while the program saw lots of turnover, they replenished themselves with the transfer portal. This is where I think the stumble will come, a defeat to the Cardinals. Enraged by the loss, it will reinvigorate the Hurricanes to victory the rest of the way including a big win over FSU. From there, they’ll make it to the CFP. Virginia Tech, Cali, and Louisville are the potential stumbles in what will be an exciting season.