On Wednesday, the Miami football program lost more depth at edge rusher when redshirt freshman Cyrus Moss announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. Moss played in three games as a true freshman without recording any statistics and two in 2023 with one assisted tackle.
Moss is the third edge rusher the Miami football program lost to the transfer portal. Fifth-year redshirt junior Jahfari Harvey and fourth-Year Junior Chantz Williams entered the transfer portal last week. Younger players have emerged ahead of Harvey and Moss at edge rusher on the depth chart.
Freshman Rueben Bain won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Sophomore Nyljalik Kelly was starting early in the year before sustaining a season-ending injury. In addition to Bain and Kelly, Miami is projected to return Akheem Mesidor and redshirt freshman Jayden Wayne at edge rusher.
Freshman Collins Acheampong who can play defensive end and tackle is expected to return for Miami in 2024. Miami has commitments from edge rushers Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett Jr., Elias Rudolph and Cole McConathy in the 2024 class. Lightfoot, Pickett and Rudolph are four-star prospects and McConathy is three-star.
Thank you Miami! I am forever grateful for the opportunity. I won’t forget the family I’ve gained here. I wish nothing but the best to the @CanesFootball organization going forward
At this time, I will be entering the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/9iJdfXNgHb
— Cyrus Moss (@TheCyrusMoss) December 6, 2023
Miami could choose to add experienced depth at edge rusher through the transfer portal. Mesidor is also returning from a season-ending 2023 injury. Miami was 20th nationally averaging 6.92 tackles for loss and 17th with 2.92 sacks per game in 2024. Mario Cristobal and his staff have been exceptional adding edge rusher depth.
With the talent added at edge rusher to the Miami football program, it was inevitable they were going to lose depth at edge rusher. Miami will be extremely young at edge rusher in 2024 if the Hurricanes do not add an experienced transfer. Edge rusher has become a position to watch for Miami in the transfer portal.