What to Know About Miami Commit K.J. Cloyd

Miami strengthened the depth of its linebacker room on Sunday night as graduate transfer K.J. Cloyd committed to the Hurricanes.

Cloyd began his collegiate career at Jones College (JUCO), where he totaled 46 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in one season before transferring to Louisville in 2020. Cloyd originally entered the transfer portal this past December but rejoined the Cardinals on Jan. 27.

In three years with the Cardinals, Cloyd provided quality depth. He appeared in 12 games last year as a reserve linebacker and special teams contributor, recording 15 tackles, two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.

Cloyd, who spoke with reporters at Louisville in April, said that he gained experience through these game reps last season.

“The biggest thing is like the experience, knowing the game, knowing what the other team is trying to do, knowing how to help my team as far as schematically, cause once you know a defense, everything just becomes about terms and technicalities instead of knowing plays. For me, that was the biggest thing is getting the experience, actually getting the game reps, so I think that’s what I’ll be able to bring to the table this year.”

At 6-foot-2 and 229 pounds, Cloyd aligns with the height and weight that were coveted by Miami’s staff this past offseason.

As a veteran presence at linebacker, Cloyd will be able to provide leadership and direction to the other players at his position, four of whom are true freshmen. He knows the importance of this responsibility from his time at Louisville.

“To me, I think me being a vet has also helped me because now I have to know because they are expecting me to know and they are leaning on me,” Cloyd said when asked if Louisville’s less-experienced players were leaning on him as a veteran.

Schematically, this should be a seamless transition for Cloyd.

When Louisville hired head coach Jeff Brohm in December, he brought along defensive coordinator Ron English, who runs a 4-2-5 base defense. This is the same style of defense that defensive coordinator Lance Guidry has installed at Miami.