The Hurricanes return two of their three key defensive tackles from last year, but Miami was not content to stick with the depth it had on the roster.
UM added two defensive tackles in the transfer portal during the offseason, supplementing a group that was already a strength on the team.
“I feel like with the new guys, they’re getting accustomed to how we do things,” defensive tackles coach Damione Lewis said. “They’re working really hard. They’re coming in, coming upstairs to watch tape when they’re done with class. That’s always a good sign that they’re bought into what we’re doing and they’re trying to learn everything they can about the defense.”
The two new defensive tackles, Jarquez Carter and Keona Davis, have different levels of experience.
Davis played the most last season, getting on the field for 406 defensive snaps at Nebraska. He had 32 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus gave him a 64.1 defensive grade.
“(He is a) big, strong guy,” fellow defensive tackle Justin Scott said. “He’s just real aggressive. That’s what I can say about him. He’s just real aggressive.”
Carter, a former four-star prospect, considered Miami when he was being recruited out of Newberry High in North Florida. Carter played 51 snaps as a freshman at Ohio State.
“He’s already a quick-twitch guy, and now he’s able to use that in his game,” Lewis said. “I feel like he’s really improved a lot since he’s been here.”
Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott were two of Miami’s top three defensive tackles last year, and both return this season. David Blay Jr. was the third main defensive tackle; he graduated and hopes to be selected in this year’s NFL draft.
Moten was one of the breakout players on last year’s national runner-up. After three seasons as a role player or reserve, Moten became a starter last year. He responded with 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus gave him a 77.6 defensive grade, which was seventh among ACC defensive tackles with 200 or more snaps.
Moten returned for his fifth season at Miami, but he is out for most of spring camp as he recovers from an injury.
“From where he was (as a freshman) to now, I’m not sure he even saw that he could get to where he is, at that point,” defensive line coach Jason Taylor said. “I know there were some days I didn’t see it either. He’s done a phenomenal job of working his butt off and understanding what it takes and maturing and growing every year over year. And we’re blessed to get him back for another year. … The sky’s the limit — any award or accolade that’s out there for a D-lineman, he has the ability to do it.”
Scott also returns. The former five-star prospect started last year as a rotational tackle but moved into a starting role by the end of the season. He ended the season with 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack.
“Really just (working on) being consistent, just being able to do the same thing every day, every second of the game,” Scott said.