The biggest positional concern with Canes roster. And why the impactful Mesidor picked UM
A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes on a Tuesday:
▪ Beyond some tackling problems by the entire defense (seven more on Saturday against Bethune-Cookman), the biggest concern with UM’s defense remains its undersized group of linebackers — led by Corey Flagg Jr. (5-11, 230 pounds), Waymon Steed (6-0, 225) and Keontra Smith (5-11, 205) — and the risk of them being physically pounded by a superior rushing attack.
But this group of linebackers’ work in pass coverage also remains a concern.
Smith, who theoretically should be the best of the linebacker group in coverage because of his speed and skill set, was unable to make a play on a 34-yard passing play against Bethune-Cookman, though defensive coordinator Kevin Steele made clear Monday that Smith wasn’t to blame on that play.
Last season, Smith allowed a 103.2 passer rating, with 10 completions in 15 targets for 84 yards and a TD, plus three penalties.
You don’t necessarily want Flagg trying to cover big tight ends or running backs, either. Last season, Flagg permitted a bloated 130 passer rating in coverage, allowing 18 completions in 23 attempts for 231 yards and three TDs, plus one interception.
In Flagg’s defense, he graded out as well as any UM front seven player on Saturday other than Akheem Mesidor and he continues to maximizes his skills. He’s generally very productive, and his level of preparation is admirable. The concern with Flagg is pass coverage and whether he can hold up against very good, physical teams (Texas A&M, for example).
Manny Diaz’s staff didn’t put Steed in coverage much, realizing that was a shortcoming.
“There was looseness in our coverage,” defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. “We have to get linebackers more comfortable in terms of their drops.”
Te’Cory Couch and Gilbert Frierson are playing the star position in Steele’s defense, which is more of a defensive back role than linebacker role.
Frierson — rated by PFF as Miami’s top defender against Bethune-Cookman — had an interception return for a TD on Saturday, a year after he allowed 23 completions in 27 targets but for only 153 yards. Couch must be better than a year ago, when he allowed 412 yards in his coverage area (most on the team) and a 104.6 passer rating.
Coach Mario Cristobal acknowledged that his linebackers (and cornerbacks) must do a better job in coverage.
“They found some soft spots in our defense,” he said. “We were closing on stuff more quickly in practice” than during Saturday’s game.
So what could change in the linebacker room? Perhaps UCLA transfer Caleb Johnson (6-1, 235) eventually overtakes Flagg; UM wants their snaps to be comparable and considers them co-starters, at least publicly. But this staff has watched them for months and Flagg remains atop the depth chart.
It will help if safety James Williams continues to play a linebacker role on some snaps, as he did against Bethune-Cookman.
Perhaps more playing time will be created for second-year 6-2, 210-pound linebacker Chase Smith (who was very good in coverage on only eight targets last season) or freshman Wesley Bissainthe (6-1, 205).
“Really excited about Wesley, showing why we went after him in recruiting,” Cristobal said. “He’s getting it, picking it up fast. We are racing to get him as ready as possible. “It’s on us to get him prepared, to get him ready and get him more playing time.”
Cristobal said Chase Smith’s sterling work on special teams has earned him more snaps on defense. Smith said he’s playing SAM linebacker and wants to become more physical. He believes his strength is against the run.
Here’s how UM allocated linebacker snaps against Bethune-Cookman, albeit in a blowout, per Pro Football Focus: Flagg 34, Steed 30, Keontra Smith 17, Johnson 16, Bissainthe 9, Chase Smith 2.
Bethune-Cookman had gains of 28, 34, 44 and 48 yards. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson relinquished one of those big plays in coverage.
Bottom line: There aren’t a ton of concerns on the UM roster, but the linebacker group — both in coverage overall and against the run against physical, bruising backs and offensive lines — remains one of them. At least there’s hope there, with Bissainthe and Chase Smith developing and Flagg and Steed good enough against some (but certainly not all) UM opponents.
Against pass-heavy teams, UM might want to play only one natural linebacker at times, and its top three safeties together more.
▪ There has been no more valuable Canes transfer than Mesidor, who had four tackles, a sack and a deflection (leading to Frierson’s pick six) in just 19 snaps. It’s the second time in three years that UM has landed a player who seems to be a genuinely impactful front seven transfer in the portal (along with Jaelan Phillips).
Mesidor picked UM over Penn State when he decided to leave West Virginia.
“What gave Miami the edge,” Mesidor said, “was having a great staff to develop me into the player I can become — Jason Taylor.. [Rod] Wright..., Coach Joe [Salave’a]. And also the energy on the field during practice and a family atmosphere. And coach Cristobal talking to my family. My mom really loved him.”
Mesidor said he didn’t watch much football growing up and didn’t study it until he enrolled in college.
UM is playing him primarily at defensive end but moving him to defensive tackle on third-and-long and clear passing situations. West Virginia used him at defensive end as a freshman and tackle last year as a sophomore.
“I love being on the outside and also love being in the inside. They’re putting me in the best situation to succeed in this defense.” Playing tackle “is where I’m most effective on passing downs.”
▪ A few notable snap decisions from Saturday on offense: At tight end, snaps between Will Mallory (25) and Elijah Arroyo (22) were comparable, with Kahlil Brantley (13), Jaleel Skinner (13) and Dominic Mammarelli (11) playing similar amounts…
Colbie Young (13 snaps) played the least of the seven available scholarship receivers. Everybody else played between 23 and 32 snaps…
▪ A few other snap decisions from Saturday on defense: As expected, UM went with a six-defensive tackle rotation, with snap counts comparable. Allan Haye and Ahmad Moten are the seventh and eighth tackes….
Of the two touted freshman defensive ends, Nyjalik Kelly (13 snaps) logged more defensive snaps than Cyrus Moss (four)....
After Stevenson (37), DJ Ivey (37) and Couch (31), there was a big drop-off in cornerback snaps to the next three: Daryl Porter (18), Isaiah Dunson (13) and Malik Curtis (8).
▪ Avantae Williams logged only 14 snaps, fourth most among safeties behind James Williams (40), Kamren Kinchens (40) and Al Blades Jr. (22). Frierson played 23 in his star role. Brian Balom, who missed last season due to injury, returned and played six snaps.
▪ Quick stuff: Tyler Van Dyke, who rooms with top receiver Xavier Restrepo, said they used to throw the ball around late at night by their complex. Now “it’s doing everything together that builds the chemistry. He’s good at everything he does. He always finds those holes, those windows [in the defense] and it’s really helpful”....
Jalen Rivers was named ACC offensive lineman of the week... Chris Cotter and Mark Herzlich call UM-Southern Mississippi at noon on Saturday on ACC Network.
▪ ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Van Dyke as his No. 3 QB prospect on his preseason draft board, behind Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. ESPN’s Todd McShay has him fourth, behind Stroud, Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis. UF’s Anthony Richardson also is included in both of their top five.
Kiper has Mallory as his No. 5 tight end. McShay has Stevenson as his No. 4 cornerback. ESPN’s Matt Miller has Zion Nelson as his No. 3 offensive tackle.
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 1:32 PM.
