Miami’s 2022 defense needs more impactful play from the edge rush spot

The 2021 Miami Hurricanes defense dropped off in many different phases and one of those aspects that must improve is affecting the quarterback with an edge rush. 

Big time edge rushing production was a staple of the Manny Diaz defensive era from 2016-20, but the Hurricanes lacked that punch off the edge in 2021. 

Miami’s top two edge rushers in 2022 were Zach McCloud, a senior that was a converted linebacker and Tennessee transfer Deandre Johnson. 

McCloud and Johnson combined for ten sacks and 60 quarterback pressures in 2021—numbers that aren’t good enough in an ultra aggressive scheme that thrives on defensive ends getting upfield and impacting the play in a hurry. 

Here is a look at how the production of McCloud and Johnson compare to the production of the top two edge rushers of previous years: 

– 2021 Zach McCloud and Deandre Johnson: 60 pressures, ten sacks

– 2020 Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche: 78 pressures, 12.5 sacks

– 2019 Gregory Rousseau and Jonathan Garvin: 92 pressures, 20.5 sacks

– 2018 Joe Jackson and Jonathan Garvin: 85 pressures, 14 sacks

– 2017 Joe Jackson and Chad Thomas: 85 pressures, 11 sacks

– 2016 Joe Jackson and Chad Thomas: 64 pressures, 12 sacks

Oregon’s top two most impactful pass rushers in 2021 were Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brandon Dorlus and they combined for 90 pressures and 9.5 sacks (even though Thibodeaux played in only ten of the 14 games). 

Miami’s production in 2021 was solid, but it didn’t live up to the standard. 

The Hurricanes featured NFL body types and athleticism off the edge from 2016-20 and those traits fell off in 2021. 

Can Miami regain their impactful edge rushing ability in 2022 with McCloud and Johnson moving on to pursue professional football careers? 

That is a sneaky big question for the Hurricanes this season. 

Defensive end Jahfari Harvey and Chantz Williams possess the type of athletic and physical traits that are intriguing on the edge, but the production was no there in 2021. 

Harvey finished the season with 2.5 sacks and 16 quarterback pressures while Williams totaled 1.5 sacks and 14 pressures. Harvey played only 30 pass rushing snaps than McCloud and Johnson while Williams played about 100 fewer pass rushing snaps. 

Both Harvey and Williams would benefit from developing their hand usage and flexibility around the edge in 2022. Otherwise, UM is adding a couple of talented freshmen that bring some big time pass rushing ability in Top 100 edge players Cyrus Moss and Nyjalik Kelly. 

Moss is particularly intriguing in a pass rushing role because of his impressive combination of length and athleticism. 

Elijah Roberts is also a defensive lineman to keep an eye on in 2022. In a small sample size, Roberts flashed an ability to pressure the quarterback totaling seven pressures on 89 pass rushing snaps 

Five-star recruit Shemar Stewart can be potentially another impactful player on the edge because of his college ready body and athleticism at 6-feet-6 and 272 pounds. 

Effecting the quarterback is always going to be an important key to defensive football Miami needs to find a way to get back to that in 2022.