The Miami Hurricanes needed to have a great defensive tackle recruiting class and that’s what they went out and accomplished. The following three recruits have a great chance to be playmakers for the Canes, and each of them has their own path to The U. There’s a reason defensive tackle is the biggest need Miami is filling.
Miami’s 2023 recruiting class includes Joshua Horton, a talented defensive tackle from Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes. That’s only one player though. Miami’s goal is to win national titles.
An abundance of interior defensive linemen are needed to make that happen. Thus, Miami went all-in and did well to balance the defensive tackle depth chart with the 2024 class.
From inside the Sunshine State, there’s Artavius Jones. The 6-foot-3 and 310-pound wrecking ball has a high ceiling after being used on defense and offense during his prep career.
Jones has experience playing tight end despite his size because he’s such a natural athlete that he still runs like a 250-pound player.
Seeing Jones make decisive lateral cuts is a sign of how talented he is. Also, he warms up with the wide receivers, running routes and catching passes, before his high school games. Yes, at 310 pounds Jones runs routes with players that weigh over a hundred pounds less than himself and catches passes just like they do. His development at Miami could see different paths.
Jones probably needs time to refine technique like the vast majority of defensive linemen entering college football, but he could be a freshman who sees minutes in 2024. His explosiveness, alone, is hard not to place on the football field even if it’s just in spots. Jones does need to make changes to his technique to maximize that talent though. If he does so quickly, look out in 2024.
Long-term, Jones has a chance to eventually be an NFL player despite coming from the 1A program Blountstown (Fla.) High School. It’s a great story and Miami is going to be the beneficiary as Jones continues to hone his craft.
No matter if Jones plays major minutes next season or needs more time, Miami defensive line coaches Joe Salave’a and Jason Taylor will have a big-time talent to work with. The next player could help Miami in a multitude of ways.
Justin Scott’s athleticism allows him to play basketball and be a quality player in talent-rich Chicago. As a defensive lineman, he’s also gifted enough to use his 6-foot-4 and 310-pound frame as a defensive tackle or defensive end if and when the Canes go to a three-man front. That’s a rare combination of skills, and there’s more.
Scott’s heavy hands accent the athleticism that allows him to be a traditional power player who hits an offensive lineman right off the snap and wins the rep. When he decides to bull rush, the offensive lineman in front of him had better be really strong and anchor down. Coming out of Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius, Scott might be the most powerful defensive tackle in the entire 2024 recruiting class.