What metrics reveal about UM’s front seven and new transfers. And Canes recruiting news
Third in a series exploring UM’s metrics this past season, with insight on various players and numbers courtesy of Pro Football Focus’ Ryan Smith.
▪ So what are the Canes getting in veteran defensive line transfers Jacob Lichtenstein and Antonio Moultrie?
Middle of-the-pack FBS defensive linemen, according to PFF.
Lichtenstein, the transfer from Southern Cal, had 13 pressures and four sacks in 556 snaps and graded out decently against the run.
Overall, PFF rated him 363rd of 673 interior defenders — so middle of the pack, or more precisely, in the top tier of the lower half.
By contrast, Arizona State-bound Nesta Silvera was rated 134th, Jared Harrison-Hunte 167th, Leonard Taylor 177th, departing Jon Ford 509th and Jordan Miller 539th.
Meanwhile, Moultrie had just two sacks for UAB last season but had 14 hurries, five quarterback hits and 63 tackles. PFF rated him 478th of 821 edge defenders — below average but not in the bottom third.
Moultrie projects as a defensive end. Lichtenstein can play end or tackle.
▪ Even beyond the poor coverage numbers, other metrics confirm what the eye test suggested: UM’s linebacker play isn’t nearly good enough, one reason signing Miami Central’s Wesley Bissainthe was such a critical pickup in this class.
Waymon Steed missed 18 tackles (27th most among all FBS linebackers) and Keontra Smith missed 14.
Starting middle linebacker Corey Flagg’s run defense was subpar, per PFF.
Of 679 linebackers who played enough snaps to qualify for PFF’s FBS rankings, Steed was 531st overall, Flagg 579th and Smith 621st.
With linebacker play like that — combined with not enough pressure on the quarterback and shaky cornerback play (excluding Tyrique Stevenson) — it’s no wonder why UM was 77th in total defense.
UM’s linebackers were horrid in pass defense, as we explained here.
▪ And out of 821 edge players, Zach McCloud was 388th, Deandre Johnson 401st, Jahfari Harvey 417th and Chantz Williams 572nd.
McCloud and Johnson have used up all their college eligibility. Harvey and Williams flashed last season, but more is needed.
UM added two of the nation’s top prep pass rushers in Fort Lauderdale Dillard’s Nyjalik Kelly and Las Vegas-based Cyrus Moss. Lichtenstein can play end and tackle.
▪ As for quarterback pressures, McCloud led UM with 35 (73rd in the country), following by Johnson with 25 and Silvera with 18.
So UM loses the three players who produced the most quarterback pressures. Pass rush will be a big question with this roster, unless another established pass rusher is added or freshmen Kelly and Moss make an immediate impact.
Of the returning players, Harrison-Hunte had the most pressures with 17, followed by Flagg and Harvey and Smith with 16 apiece.
RECRUITING UPDATE
As Wednesday’s signing day closes in, some notes on UM’s remaining targets in the 2022 class:
▪ Five-star Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace defensive end Shemar Stewart is down to UM and Texas A&M after enjoying his Canes recruiting visit during the weekend. Stewart, Rivals’ 30th overall prospect, would prefer the Canes hire a defensive coordinator before he makes a decision, but it’s undetermined if they will. And it’s unclear if that will ultimately tilt his decision.
▪ Seattle-based five-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly told recruiting sites that he enjoyed his UM visit but won’t make a decision until March. Oregon, Washington, Michigan, Southern Cal and Oklahoma also remain in the mix.
▪ Three-star Alabama-based offensive tackle Anez Cooper reportedly emerged from his Canes campus visit with a positive impression of UM. Miami is considered the favorite now.
▪ Washington-based four-star guard Dave Iuli — who was recruited to Oregon by Mario Cristobal before Cristobal took the Miami job — has given strong consideration to the Canes. It’s down to UM and three Pacific 12 schools: Arizona, USC and Oregon.
▪ Louisiana-based four-star running back Trevonte Citizen is considering UM, Auburn, UF and LSU, with Auburn widely considered the favorite.
▪ Three-star Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons defensive end R Mason Kelly visited UM during the weekend and will choose this week from among Oklahoma, Kentucky, Miami and Iowa State. He remains loosely committed to the Cyclones.
▪ Four-star Jacksonville-based defensive end Jack Pyburn opted to visit Auburn and UF instead of UM, even while making clear that he’s strongly considering the Hurricanes.
▪ Cardinal Gibbons four-star defensive tackle Ahmad Moten visited UM during the weekend and will decide among Oklahoma, North Carolina, Iowa State, UM and Tennessee.
▪ St. John’s, Florida-based three star offensive tackle Matthew McCoy visited UM and UF in the past couple of weeks. This could go either way.
▪ Georgia-based four-star defensive tackle Christen Miller reportedly enjoyed his weekend visit, but Georgia and Ohio State will be tough to beat out.
EARLY ENROLLEES
Per a source, here’s the full list of UM early enrollees:
Among freshmen: linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, quarterback Jacurri Brown, defensive linemen Cyrus Moss and Nyjalik Kelly, cornerback Khamauri Rogers and tight end Jaleel Skinner.
Among transfers: running back Henry Parrish, receiver Frank Ladson, defensive linemen Jacob Lichtenstein and Antonio Moultrie and guard/center Loga Sagapolu.
All are eligible for spring practice.
Here’s part 1 of the series with pass coverage metrics.
Here’s part 2 of the series with some notable offensive numbers.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 3:28 PM.
