What we’re hearing on Canes’ defensive personnel as spring nears end
Ten things we’re hearing on the Hurricanes’ defense heading into Saturday’s spring game:
▪ Freshman safety JJ Dunnigan, who has received raves all spring, has made a strong case for early playing time.
As one UM person said, “I don’t know how you keep him off the field. He’s huge. He’s got to play because of size” and physicality in the run game.
Starting safety Zachariah Poyser also seems to have bulked up. Jakobe Thomas’ smarts, leadership and physical presence will be missed, but UM is well-positioned at safety with Poyser, Bryce Fitzgerald, Omar Thorton Dunnigan and Dylan Day.
▪ One key personnel question heading into the spring was whether UM would use Fitzgerald at safety and Boston College transfer Thorton at nickel, or vice versa.
Fitzgerald has taken much of his spring reps at safety, but could always shift to nickel corner if needed because of his ballhawking skills.
Thornton has been used a lot in the nickel, where UM hopes he can take the type of jump that Keionte Scott did last season. Remember, at Boston College last season, Thornton deliver an interception, four forced fumbles and good work against the run, but allowed a 126.6 passer rating in his coverage area last season: 23 completions in 31 completions for 272 yards (11.8 per catch), the one interception and six touchdowns.
The six TDs were the third most permitted by any safety in the portal. But Scott’s passer rating against improved from that dismal 145 in 2024 with Auburn to 69.9 at UM, where he became a key component of an elite team and transformed himself into an NFL Draft prospect.
Damari Brown (when healthy), cornerback Camdin Portis and Dunnigan are also options at nickel. UM is excellent on the boundary with Xavier Lucas, OJ Frederique, Ethan O’Connor.Ja’boree Antoine and Brown (who has dealt with foot issues for two years).
▪ Missouri transfer Damon Wilson has confirmed what seemed apparent when he played in the Southeastern Conference: He can get to the quarterback. Wilson’s pass rush has impressed everyone this spring.
▪ Though Marquise Lightfoot’s weight (listed at 230, on his 6-5 frame) sometimes gives fans pause for thought because he’s undersized for an edge player, the Canes aren’t concerned. A Canes official noted that he took on offensive tackles last season and punished him, and reminded that there’s great physicality to his game.
But Armondo Blount is going to play a lot because he’s probably UM’s best edge player against the run.
▪ Hayden Lowe has missed some time with some “personal stuff” and remains a work in progress. Herbert Scroggins, who earned some playoff snaps last winter, will have a highly competitive battle with Lowe and Booker Pickett for a rotation spot.
▪ We hear defensive tackles Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott have been playing at an elite level.
Defensive tackles coach Damione Lewis said of Scott: “Early in the season was a little rough, but as he got his footing, understood more, he started playing very well – in particular after the Florida game. It’s like he got better and better every week. And then when David Blay went down and he had to become a starter he really elevated his game in a really good way. He’s a super-attention-to-detail kid, watches a ton of film, studies. For him it’s just going out and executing what he’s taught, and he’s doing it at a high level.”
▪ One Canes-employed practice attendee said Nebraska end/tackle Keona Davis has some good moments but needs to be more physical. The staff has been raving about Ohio State end/tackle Marquez Carter, who has a good chance to win the No. 3 tackle job, though I certainly wouldn’t discount Davis.
Head coach Mario Cristobal volunteered that Carter can be a “great player,” and Lewis said “He’s doing a great job, learned the system, a quick-twitch guy and now he can use that in his game. He’s really improved a lot since he got here. Really loved the way he played in high school. What I saw in him in high school is coming out of him now.”
▪ Don’t discount Mykah Newton in the battle for defensive tackle snaps. He has flashed.
“He’s been improving,” Lewis said. “I’m really proud of where he is right now.”
▪ One UM person noted how second-year cornerback Antoine “plays every rep in practice like he’s in a game. He doesn’t ever give up on any play.” He’s pushing four veteran cornerbacks for time. So is freshman Camdin Portis, who has two interception returns for touchdowns this spring.
▪ UM is very happy with linebackers Mo Toure and Chase Smith. The feeling internally is that Smith is poised to shine in an expanded role; he’s tough, physical and can defend the run and pass. Smith is the front-runner to start opposite Toure, but Kamal Bonner and Cam Pruitt will push him.
UM and Bonner both want to make their marriage work; he played just 48 defensive snaps last season behind Toure and Wesley Bissainthe but did not enter the portal. The Canes like what he showed as a part-time starter for NC State in 2024, and he has received some first team reps this spring.
Cam Pruitt needs to build on his strong work late in the season; he had a slow start to spring but is said to have been better recently. Essentially, this is a battle among Kellen Wiley, Bonner, Pruitt and Ezekiel Marcelin (who has flashed this spring) for two rotation linebacker jobs. And 6-4 and 235, Wiley has the most size of the group; he’s a skilled pass rusher.
Here’s what I’m hearing on the offensive side of the ball.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 11:40 AM.
