Miami’s bye week arrived at just the right moment, and the Hurricanes are coming out of it with a defense that looks healthier than it did a week ago. The big question is still the same one that followed them into the break: how close are the injured pieces on the defensive line, and how quickly can the secondary keep getting back to full strength after losing both top cornerbacks?
There’s at least some encouraging news on that front. Xavier Lucas is expected back in the next few weeks, and if the injury situation around Marquise Lightfoot stays manageable, Miami should be in decent shape for the stretch run.
Up front, Armondo Blount remains the most flexible piece in the front. Corey Hetherman appears most comfortable using the junior at end and sliding him inside on passing downs, especially with Lightfoot and Damon Wilson II on the field too. Wilson is listed as a backup, but his workload makes him feel like a co-starter.
At defensive tackle, Ahmad Moten Sr. has stayed steady in the middle. Aside from getting banged up a bit against Wake Forest, the fifth-year senior has been dependable, and his presence has helped the pass rush produce better results. Jarquez Carter stepped in for the injured Moten against Central Michigan and has settled into the second-team mix.
Justin Scott continues to anchor the nose. His run-stopping showed up clearly in the Clemson win, and he remains one of the most important players on the front. Keona Davis has had a more uneven role, but his ability to line up across the line gives Miami a useful piece in reserve.
The edge rushers are where the Hurricanes can really get after people. Lightfoot was slow out of the gate, but he’s been excellent over the last few games and now has 19 tackles with 5.5 sacks. Wilson has been building into a major problem for offenses, and against Clemson, Miami got a look at the full range of what he can do as a pass rusher.
Linebacker is less flashy, but experience matters here. Mohamed Toure and Chase Smith aren’t turning heads, but they’ve been reliable and generally keep themselves out of trouble.
Cam Pruitt is the clear No. 3, while Kellen Wiley Jr. and Kamal Bonner have been useful in smaller doses. The return of Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. would give this group a real lift.
The biggest ripple effect from the injuries has been in the secondary, where Bryce Fitzgerald’s move from safety to cornerback in Week 2 changed everything. The former Freshman All-American has settled in on one side, while Lucas is expected back as early as next week against Florida State. Damari Brown and Ethan O'Connor both bring experience, and their ability to handle starting snaps has helped Miami keep the back end together.
At nickel, Omar Thornton has lived up to the billing as one of the defense’s top transfer additions. The former Boston College defender has made plays in coverage and in blitz looks. Ryan Mack has also carved out a role, logging a season-high 26 snaps against Clemson.
Safety has become a rotating group, with freshman JJ Dunnigan earning a starting job in Week 2 after Fitzgerald moved to corner. Dunnigan, listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, brings speed and range.
Zechariah Poyser and Dylan Day are part of the main rotation, while Isaiah Taylor gives the group more depth. The versatility across the corners and safeties gives Hetherman the freedom to play matchups.
On special teams, Jake Weinberg has settled in at kicker after beating out Jack Olsen. The redshirt sophomore has made 5-of-6 field goals and all 26 extra points, and he also handles kickoffs. Dylan Joyce has been strong in the punting game, averaging 46 yards per kick and helping Miami flip the field.
In Other News...
Miami Just Sent A Clear ACC Message Before Florida State
Miamis win over Clemson came at exactly the right time, because the ACC race is already tightening into a handful of serious contenders. Florida State followed with a convincing showing against Virginia, Pittsburgh survived a scare against Virginia Tech even after losing starting quarterback Mason Heintschel to a torn ACL, and Louisville has stumbled through back-to-back losses while Wake Forest keeps looking like a team that can hang around longer than expected.
For Miami, the message was less about style than standing its ground in a league where only three teams remain unbeaten in conference play. The Hurricanes now head toward Florida State with real momentum and a clearer sense of where they fit in the ACC pecking order, even as the broader picture around them keeps shifting week to week. [Read more 🡒]
JJ Dunnigan Just Forced A Bigger Miami Secondary Decision
JJ Dunnigans night at Clemson offered Miami a reminder that roster decisions in the secondary are never as simple as finding the next healthy body. Even with questions hanging over his health, Dunnigan flashed the kind of range and ball skills that can change how a defense looks on the back end, and the interception he came up with only sharpened the conversation around where he fits best.
David Lake and DMoney both pointed to nickelback as the spot where Dunnigans athleticism could matter most, especially if Miami wants to keep him on the field in meaningful snaps. His showing also folds into a wider competition with players like Omar Thornton, Zechariah Poyser and Bryce Fitzgerald, a group that gives the Hurricanes options but also forces some tough choices about roles, fit and how much the staff wants to lean into each players strengths. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Is Already In The Mix For A Manning Quarterback
Marshall Manning is only at the start of his high school career, but the freshman quarterback at Baylor School in Chattanooga is already drawing a familiar kind of attention. The son of Peyton Manning has stepped onto varsity as a backup to senior Keegan Croucher, made his debut at that level, and begun collecting scholarship offers from programs with real national pull, including Miami, Ohio State, Purdue and Missouri State.
For Miami, the early interest fits the usual reality of recruiting a Manning, where every snap tends to come with extra scrutiny and every update gets noticed beyond the high school level. Marshall has not committed anywhere yet, and even within his own family the buzz has been impossible to ignore, with relatives like Arch Manning weighing in on his progress as the offer list continues to grow. [Read more 🡒]