The Miami Hurricanes boast one of the top defensive end units in the nation. With a strong mix of young and veteran players acquired through the transfer portal and recruiting, the Canes have a National Championship-worthy room that is arguably the best and deepest in the ACC. Their defensive end room is anchored by the ACC’s top pass rusher from last year and possibly a top-five defensive end in the nation, Reuben Bain Jr.
DE – Reuben Bain
Leading the pack for the Canes is Reuben Bain. Bain was a monster last year, finishing with 44 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles as a true freshman. Bain is the next superstar defensive end at Miami, proving not only that he should have been the highest-rated recruit in the 2023 class but also that he was already one of the top defensive ends in the nation as a freshman. He led all freshmen with 45 pressures and was the rookie leader in pass rush win rate last season at 15%. Bain finished the year as PFF’s highest-graded edge rusher with an 84.7 grade. Expectations are through the roof now that he is entering his sophomore season and has had two cycles in Miami’s strength and conditioning program. Expect Bain to be virtually unblockable, not only due to his projected growth and maturity but also because the talent in Miami’s defensive line room will allow Bain to flourish. His exceptional power and technique make him a standout in both pass rushing and run defense, positioning him as one of the best in the ACC. Bain’s versatility and relentless motor are critical for Miami’s defensive success.
DE – Elijah Alston
One of the top grabs in the portal, Alston is a difference-maker at the defensive end position. Alston had 45 total tackles, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and a touchdown in 2023. The Marshall standout played under Coach Guidry in 2021 and 2022, producing some of the best PFF numbers at his position:
Defense Grade: 91.0
Run Defense Grade: 69.2
Pass Rush Grade: 90.5
Expect Alston to alter the game any time he plays. He is good enough to start in a stacked Canes DE room, but even if he doesn’t, he will get plenty of snaps and wreak havoc along the line of scrimmage.
DE – Tyler Baron
One of the biggest flexes by the Canes this offseason was adding the best DE in the spring transfer portal window. Baron accumulated 105 pressures, ranking third nationally among Power 5 players. His career stats include 13.5 sacks, 101 tackles, and 27 tackles for loss. He is talented enough to come into the best defensive end room in the ACC and start across from Bain. How good is Baron? OL Amarius Mims, who played for the Georgia Bulldogs and was the 18th overall pick in the draft, stated that the hardest player he had to block in college was Tyler Baron. With top-50 NFL talent, Baron’s physical attributes and ability to dominate at multiple defensive line positions highlight his potential to elevate Miami’s defense to elite status.
DE – Akheem Mesidor
Akheem Mesidor will be one of the biggest additions for the Canes this year. A transfer from West Virginia, he is a Swiss Army knife that gives the Canes versatility, allowing Miami to use him both at DE and DT. In 2022, he had a full season for Miami, finishing with 38 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and four pass deflections. He was hurt last year in the Texas A&M game and was out for the rest of the season. He returns now with the Canes revamping their depth through the transfer portal and with Bain locking down one of the defensive end spots. Despite the logjam at DE, I expect Mesidor to get plenty of snaps at both defensive end and defensive tackle. Expect Lance Guidry to use him all over the defensive line in different alignments and formations, as Mesidor is a production machine with 108 tackles and 16.5 sacks in three fully healthy seasons. A fully healthy Mesidor will continue to cause havoc and potentially be in the two-deep at both DE and DT for the Canes.
DE – Malik Bryant
Malik Bryant had a really strong spring, switching positions from inside linebacker to the Jack position. He is up to around 230 lbs, and the coaches are ecstatic with his progress and contribution at defensive end. Bryant knows how to play the run and make tackles in space, but rushing the passer is where he truly excels.
Incoming Freshmen
DE-Marquise Lightfoot
An explosive five-star edge rusher out of the Chicago area, Lightfoot was a big pickup in the last recruiting class. He was one of the highest-rated players at his position and, like all young players, needs to add some good weight. As a rotational player in passing situations, he looks like he could play early. Lightfoot dominated the Army All-America game, where he was by far the best rusher, really taking over the game. He is still gaining weight, and although he has plenty of talent, expect him to be used situationally as the coaches will be patient with his development.
DE-Elias Rudolph
A big-time recruiting win against Michigan, the Canes have another monster on their hands at defensive end. Rudolph is 6’5” and weighs in at 215 lbs, continuing to add weight. As with Lightfoot, I don’t expect him to be a major contributor this year with such great depth ahead of him, but he should be ready to come in and start next year after a year in the strength and conditioning program.
DE-Booker Pickett
A native of Tampa, Florida, Pickett Jr. hails from Wharton High School. Seen as an explosive pass rusher, Pickett Jr. amassed 30 sacks in his junior season alone. He followed up his dominant junior season with another equally impressive senior season in 2024, totaling 66 tackles (23 TFL) and 16 sacks. He also blocked three field goals and a punt. He has a nasty first step that allows him to blow past offensive tackles and has already impressed Canes coaches with his speed. He will be a contender for a starting spot next year and will likely get situational snaps this year as well.
DE-Cole McConathy
Hailing from Spanish Fort, Alabama, Cole McConathy is the diamond in the rough of the 2024 class and what some may consider the next Reuben Bain. Already weighing over 235 lbs, he is physically ready to play meaningful snaps at the next level. Standing at 6’5”, McConathy amassed 38 sacks and 65.5 TFLs in the last two seasons of his high school career. Expect him to be in the rotation at some point this year.
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