What we’re hearing about every Miami Hurricanes defensive position from closed practices

As we approach the first game of the Mario Cristobal era (Saturday, Sept. 3 against Bethune-Cookman), we solicited input on Miami Hurricanes personnel from two people who have watched some of the team’s closed practices this month.

In Part 2 of a two-part series, here’s feedback on the defense from sources we’ll call Observer 1 and Observer 2:

▪ Both said West Virginia transfer Akheem Mesidor has clearly been the most impressive defensive end in fall camp.

Observer 1: “Mesidor is going to be hell of a player. He loves to compete; he’s not going to back down. He raises that whole unit. Based on this month, I would rate their top four defensive ends: Mesidor, Jahfari Harvey, Mitchell Agude and Chantz Williams. Agude and Williams are close. Chantz might be a little better. People are infatuated by Agude’s body.”

Observer 2: “Mesidor is a beast; he’s going to wreak havoc the whole year. That’s going to be one of the bright spots. He can play outside, can play inside in a speed package. He’s one of their best additions.”

As for four-star freshmen Nyjalik Kelly and Cyrus Moss, “Kelly is what you want to see” as far as a skill set and body,” Observer 2 said. “The way he bends, his speed, the future is very bright. Moss is a little light right now. Maybe he gets in the Bethune-Cookman or South Mississippi games and you see what he can do.”

Observer 1 predicts Kelly will be a factor this season: “I’ve seen him in the backfield multiple times during camp.”

Thomas Davis, Jabari Ishmael and Elijah Roberts also are competing. Jacob Lichtenstein can play end or tackle.

▪ What about defensive tackle?

Observer 2: “[Maryland transfer] Darrell Jackson is physically imposing; he’s a man child. It looks like he can be a run stopper. He has been impressive.

“Lichtenstein has done a very good job getting to the quarterback when I’ve watched him; another big body, and he moves well. I think Leonard Taylor can take that step and become a more consistent player. He’s in shape.”

Taylor, the one five-star in the group, very likely will get more playing time than a year ago, but he’s not needed every down because of solid depth: Taylor, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Jordan Miller, Lichtenstein, Jackson and UAB transfer Antonio Moultrie should be the top six in some order.

Observer 1: “Jackson is so damn big. He’s going to help. With Taylor, I keep waiting for more dominance. I would like to see if Harrison-Hunte can stay healthy for an entire year; he’s got big wing span, plays the run pretty well.

“The good thing is the depth is much better across the line. When you go from Harrison-Hunte to Jackson, there won’t be a big drop-off. From Taylor to Lichtenstein, you won’t see a big drop-off in physicality.”

▪ At linebacker, Observer 1 said he’s mildly surprised that Corey Flagg Jr. has remained with the first team ahead of UCLA transfer Caleb Johnson.

Observer 1: “Caleb Johnson looks like a good player, but he hasn’t moved ahead of Corey Flagg. Maybe that happens in the next week. Flagg has good instincts, knows how to play the game. You obviously wish he was bigger.”

Waymon Steed has been the other first-team linebacker primarily.

Observer 1: “Steed is steady. Their linebackers aren’t physically imposing, so they need to use other ways to get to the ball, whether it’s spinning away from a blocker or dipping around him. If someone has a great running game, [Miami’s linebackers] going to struggle.”

Observer 1 said freshman linebacker Wesley Bissainthe “started to show me some things the other day. I like Chase Smith; he’s behind Gilbert Frierson” at the star position, which essentially replaced Manny Diaz’s striker position.

What about those who say it’s not a good sign that Flagg and Steed are still starters, even though they give good effort?

“I understand that, but if Charlie Strong and Kevin Steele believe they’re the best, you have to trust them,” Observer 1 said. “They’ve picked up the defense better” than the others.

Observer 2: “What we had the last couple years hasn’t been good enough. These aren’t the type of linebackers you can compete for championships with. There are high school linebackers bigger than some linebackers on our roster, and that’s a problem.

“You want 230-pound guys who release like a missile. We want Caleb Johnson to be that guy. Keontra Smith filled out, put on 10 to 15 pounds. Chase Smith is athletic, a big kid who can go sideline to sideline.”

▪ At cornerback, who’s the second best after Tyrique Stevenson?

Observer 1: “DJ Ivey is their second-best corner. He’s had a good camp. [Defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae] has really helped him. I would put Te’Cory Couch third. Daryl Porter [the West Virginia transfer] hasn’t jumped out to me.”

Observer 2: “You hope it’s DJ Ivey, who has the body [but not nearly the production] of a first round corner. It looks sometimes in the past like he’s lost, but he seems improved. Daryl Porter caught my eye when we were out there. Ivey and Porter both have body types where you say that’s the corner bodies we need.

“Te’Cory Couch will be in the slot. To me, he’s our most gifted corner. There’s a reason Dion Sanders once called him a dog. He has all the physical tools. I hope he gets back to where he was as a freshman. And [freshman] Chris Graves caught my eye.”

Al Blades Jr. can play corner, safety or the star position. Isaiah Dunson and three freshmen also are competing at cornerback.

▪ Both are intrigued by what Steele can do with lineups that occasionally feature three safeties (James Williams, Avantae Williams and Kamren Kinchens).

Observer 2: “They’re freaks. James is a unicorn. Avantae sideline-to-sideline is really physically gifted, athletic. Kam Kinchens could be best of all of them — smart, sure tackler, will be in the right place every time.

“If you don’t see the linebackers step up, you might see more of those three safety looks. I put James or Kinchens in the box and one drops back. Coach Steele will have a fun time mixing and matching with those guys.

“All have different skill sets, but all can play in the box; James Williams obviously can. Can James be what Isaiah Simmons was at Clemson, lining up all over the field? I think he could. You want Avantae mostly at free safety, roaming all over the field.”

Observer 1: “Safety is the strength of the defense. James Williams can play anywhere — deep safety or come down in the box and take on running back one on one. Avantae is a really good player; he’s not out of position very much and makes acrobatic plays.”

Here’s part 1 of the series with the observers’ assessment of the Canes’ offense.