The Miami Hurricanes’ defensive line didn’t just dominate the trenches in 2025 - they walked away with the SOTU Award for Best Unit, a nod to just how disruptive and complete this group was from top to bottom. Anchored by coaching from NFL veterans Jason Taylor and Damione Lewis, this unit brought a rare combination of power, speed, and depth that proved to be a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Let’s break down why this group stood above the rest and what the future holds as Miami looks to reload in 2026.
Edge Rushers: A Relentless Duo
At defensive end, Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor were the tone-setters - and they didn’t just set the tone, they cranked the volume to 11.
Mesidor was a stat sheet wrecker in 2025, leading the team with 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. His ability to slim down and stay on the edge, thanks in part to the emergence of young interior linemen, allowed him to play fast and free.
The result? A season that put him firmly on NFL radars.
Bain Jr., meanwhile, was the kind of player that offensive coordinators circled in red ink on the game plan. Double teams became the norm, and even then, he still racked up 15.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks.
He added an interception for good measure and had one of the most jaw-dropping plays of the year - a tackle for loss against Ohio State while still fully engaged with an offensive tackle. That kind of raw strength and awareness is what earned him All-American honors and a likely first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Depth behind them wasn’t just filler - it was functional. Marquis Lightfoot, despite being undersized, chipped in with 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Armondo Blount, the oversized freshman phenom, added 2.5 TFLs and matched Lightfoot’s sack total. That kind of contribution from rotational players speaks volumes about the coaching and the culture being built in that room.
Interior Presence: Rising Stars in the Middle
Inside, the Hurricanes got a breakout performance from Ahmad Moten down the stretch. Over the final six games, he turned into a force, leading the defensive tackles with nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. His timing couldn’t have been better, stepping up big during Miami’s College Football Playoff push.
Justin Scott, the highly touted recruit, started to find his footing late in the season as well. He logged 6.5 TFLs and added a sack, showing flashes of the disruptive potential that made him such a coveted prospect.
Not every story in the DT room was a hit. David Blay, a Group of Six transfer, struggled to find consistency.
Penalties and a lack of production (just 2.5 TFLs, no sacks) kept him from making the impact Miami hoped for. Donta Simpson, a young talent with upside, entered the transfer portal after a quiet season.
Still, with Moten and Scott trending upward and Blount capable of sliding inside when needed, the core of the interior line looks promising - especially if they can stay healthy and continue to develop under this coaching staff.
Position Group Honors
Most Outstanding Player:
This one’s a split decision - and rightfully so.
Mesidor’s production was elite, and Bain’s impact went beyond the box score. Together, they were the heartbeat of the defense, constantly dictating the line of scrimmage and forcing offenses to adjust.
Most Improved Player:
This nod goes to Ahmad Moten.
His late-season surge was critical to Miami’s postseason run, and he looked like a different player in the biggest moments. That kind of growth bodes well for 2026.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Let’s be clear: replacing Bain and Mesidor isn’t just a challenge - it’s a tall order. You don’t just plug and play when you lose two NFL-caliber edge rushers.
Bain is expected to be a first-round pick, with Mesidor not far behind as a likely second-rounder. Their production, leadership, and presence in the locker room will be missed.
But Miami’s not starting from scratch.
Moten and Scott form a strong interior duo with upside. Blount’s versatility gives the staff flexibility, and Lightfoot’s continued development will be crucial. Add in some new portal additions and a full offseason in Corey Hetherman’s defensive system, and there’s a path forward - though it won’t be without growing pains.
This defensive line unit set the bar high in 2025. The challenge now is to reload, not rebuild. If the next wave of talent can rise to the occasion, Miami’s front four could remain one of the most feared units in college football.