Anthony Wilson
If Miami has trouble advancing in Year 3 under coach Mario Cristobal, it won’t be because the Hurricanes haven’t been able to bolster their defensive front. The ‘Canes have made another flashy addition to their portal class Tuesday night with the appointment from former Tennessee edge rusher Tyler Baron.
A four-star transfer according to 247Sports, Baron is the latest impact addition to a Miami portal now ranked 10th nationally in the 247Sports team rankings. The 6-foot-1 senior racked up 10.5 tackles for loss with six sacks last year and played a key role in all four seasons with the Vols.
With All-ACC selections Francisco Mauigoa (linebacker) and Rueben Bain Jr. (defensive lineman) returning, there would already be some pop in the Hurricanes’ front seven. Now, with Baron and a few other transfers on the way, there should be adequate depth as well.
That’s good news for a team that entered last November with a 6-2 record before limping to a 1-4 finish and an unremarkable 7-6 record (3-5 ACC). Cristobal’s coaching and Miami’s offense deserve their share of the blame for the dismal end to 2023. But the defense lost more production with the signing of three players from the Hurricanes’ secondary in 2024 NFL Draft.
A total of 15 defenders also left through the portal. But Baron’s commitment is the latest sign that a robust group of replacements is on the way to the top seven.
Here’s the lowdown on who the ‘Canes are bringing in to bolster their defensive front:
- Tyler Barão | 6-5 | 255 | EDGE | Tennessee | 4 stars | Career highlights: 27 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks (2020-23)
- Marley Cook | 6-2 | 298 | DL | Middle Tennessee | 4 stars | Career highlights: 19 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks (2021-23)
- Simeon Barrow Jr. 6-3 | 296 | DL | Michigan State | 3 stars | Highlights: 18.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks (2021-23)
- Jaylin Councilor | 6-1 | 230 | Libra | Louisville | 3 stars | Highlights: seven tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks (2023)
- Elijah Alston | 6-2 | 256 | EDGE | Marseille | 3 stars | Highlights: 11.5 tackles for loss, six sacks (2023)
- CJ Clark | 6-3 | 305 | DL | NC State | 3 stars | Career highlights: 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks (2022-23)
Just 12-13 (6-10) through two seasons, Cristobal needs nine wins in 2024 just to reach the 21-win threshold that predecessor Manny Diaz reached during three seasons before being fired. Recruiting hasn’t been a problem for the ‘Canes under Cristobal, but a lack of on-field execution and painful late-game mistakes have hampered the program’s attempt to gain momentum during his first two seasons.
With the addition of highly touted quarterback Cam Ward, continuity at the coordinator positions, and playmakers like Bain and Mauigoa back to anchor the defense, it’s reasonable to expect Miami to compete in the ACC and make a run among the Big 12 teams. College football Pay. The conference list also looks manageable. Florida State and North Carolina are losing star quarterbacks and Clemson is no longer the dynasty it was in the pre-portal era. The ‘Canes registered 17th in Dennis Dodd’s top 25 post-springand that was before the addition of Baron this week.
