If Miami struggles to make headway in Year 3 under coach Mario Cristobal, it won’t be because the Hurricanes failed to reinforce their defensive front. The ‘Canes made another splashy addition to their portal class Tuesday night with the commitment of former Tennessee edge rusher Tyler Baron
A four-star transfer according to 247Sports, Baron is the latest impact addition to a Miami portal haul now slotted at No. 10 nationally in the 247Sports Team Rankings.The 6-foot-5 veteran racked up 10.5 tackles for loss with six sacks last year and played a key role in all four of his seasons with the Vols.
With All-ACC selections Francisco Mauigoa(linebacker) and Rueben Bain Jr. (defensive lineman) coming back, there was already going to be some pop to the Hurricanes’ front seven. Now, with Baron and a handful of other transfers on the way, there should be adequate depth, too.
That’s welcome news for a team that entered last November at 6-2 before limping to a 1-4 finish and an unremarkable 7-6 (3-5 ACC) record. Cristobal’s coaching and Miami’s offense deserve their share blame for the lackluster 2023 finish. But the defense lost more production as three players from the Hurricanes’ secondary were taken in the 2024 NFL Draft.
