Jason Taylor sizes up UM line, discusses young players and next step for Bain
As the Hurricanes approach their Aug. 31 opener against visiting Notre Dame (7:30 p.m., ABC Miami), this much is clear on their defensive line: They have enviable talent and depth at defensive end, but some questions at tackle.
Former Dolphins star and Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, who coaches UM’s defensive linemen with former NFL player and Canes standout Damione Lewis, addressed issues at the position in a recent conversation:
▪ Rueben Bain Jr. has had a very good camp. Bain had 44 tackles (13 for loss) and 7.5 sacks as a freshman in 2023, then produced 23 tackles (six for loss) and 3.5 sacks in nine games last season.
Earlier this offseason, Taylor attributed Bain’s diminished production last season to a lower-extremity soft-tissue injury that was sustained in the opener at the Gators and sidelined him four additional games.
Taylor said at the time: “People talk about sophomore slump and all that crap. The man got hurt the second play of the [UF opener]!”
But Taylor recently conceded that Bain has “got a lot of room to grow. He played well at times last year. Obviously was nicked up at the beginning. There are a lot of places he can improve.
“A big point of emphasis for him is leadership qualities and trying to be a better leader and affecting more people. Bringing more people along with you. Not just always being the lead dog out front but how many guys can you bring with the sleigh so to speak and have him pulling the same way you do? He understands his ceiling is very, very high. He’s got a lot of work to do.”
Bain has lost 14 pounds since the end of last season and is now at 270.
“I always wanted to lose weight, and so I took that initiative once I got the tools to do it with the nutrition staff,” Bain said. “It has worked well for me. I feel like I am faster and a little bit more twitchy. I feel like my high school self and that is a good thing.”
▪ Taylor and UM coaches like having the luxury of playing Akheem Mesidor at defensive end (where he will play primarily) and defensive tackle (which he likely will play again on some passing downs). Mesidor said he’s fine with that. “He has had an outstanding offseason,” Taylor said.
▪ The Canes are expecting a big year from Armondo Blount, who could end up as the No. 3 defensive end.
“Armondo had a really good spring,” Taylor said. “He grew up a lot last year. Physical, violent defensive lineman. He loves ball; that’s one of the things that jumps off the page. I love him to death. He’s going to have an excellent year, an excellent career at the University of Miami.”
The Canes are not looking to use him at tackle. “Armondo is a defensive end for us,” Taylor said. “We will see where that goes. There’s a lot to be excited about [with Blount]. He’s always paying attention in the meeting room. Asks good questions, doesn’t bust a whole lot mentally. Very smart kid academically and football smarts.”
▪ Which of the first- and second-year edge players have made the biggest jumps among Hayden Lowe, Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett and Cole McConathy — who are all competing with Blount and Malik Bryant for snaps behind Bain and Mesidor?
“They all had really good springs,” Taylor said. “Hayden Lowe looks like a freak with the body size. Marquise Lightfoot has come a long way; still a long way to go still. He’s gotten stronger in the weight room. Had a really good spring and great summer.”
We hear Blount and Lightfoot are the front-runners for the backup end jobs. Lowe, rated by 247 Sports as the 16th best player in this year’s class, can play tackle on passing downs.
▪ UM has three defensive tackles who figure to play a lot, with Justin Scott, Ahmad Moten and Louisiana Tech transfer David Blay. Mario Cristobal said all three have had good camps. UM believes Scott and Moten are ready to take a big step; Taylor says Moten is “immensely talented.”
Behind them are only young players -- Daylen Russell, Artavius Jones and freshman Donta Simpson.
So how comfortable is the staff with talent and depth at defensive tackle?
“Those guys have worked their tails off and had good springs,” Taylor said. “Even the true freshmen like Donta [Simpson] … have come in and given us what we expected — at some moments, more than we thought. We are confident there. We are a deep group, a talented group.”
▪ Scott, a five-star recruit a year ago, has the potential to be a high-impact player.
“He’s got a very high ceiling,” Taylor said. “You put him in the same boat as Bain and Mesidor as you project down the road. You can see a very high level of success for him.
“Came in as a true freshman, learned what it takes. Had a really good spring. He’s playing with really good technique. His confidence level has risen through the weight room and through execution on the field. He’s poised to have a really good year. He’s a heck of a talent.”
▪ Blay Jr., who had 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss at Louisiana Tech last season, has been “everything we expected when we signed him in the portal,” Taylor said. “Big, strong, physical, played a lot of football. Damione Lewis is doing a good job with him.”
▪ Does Taylor show his own NFL tape to Canes players?
“I don’t show my tape at all,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever shown, maybe a couple guys in the recruiting process. It’s about them. It’s not about what I did.”
Taylor cracked that “they don’t want to see my standard definition film anyway. They’ve seen some of the highlights, probably. The Hall of Fame clips that were put together.”
This story was originally published August 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM.
