Scouting the Opponent: Three Players on Miami's defense to know vs Georgia Tech

Miami has one of the top defenses in the country

Not only has Miami had a great turnaround on the offensive side of the ball, but the Hurricanes have one of the best defenses in the ACC this season. 

Now, Miami has only played one good offense (Texas A&M), but they have looked very good in all phases on that side of the ball. Miami has the No. 1 rushing defense in the country, holding opponents to 48 yards per game on the ground. The secondary has been good, but has also been susceptible to giving up some plays through the air. 

So who are the players that Georgia Tech should be keying in on this Saturday night?

Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor

Miami defensive tackle Leonard Taylor is a potential first-round pick / Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Miami has one of the best defensive lines in the country and the guy that might be the most talented of the group is defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, who is being projected to go in the first round of next April's NFL Draft. His stats are not going to jump off the page at you, he only has four tackles and one sack this season, but he has rare quickness and get off on the line of scrimmage and could give Georgia Tech's offensive line a lot of problems. You don't see a defensive lineman with this level of athleticism and that is what makes Taylor a game-changer. 

Brent Key gives injury update for wide receiver Leo Blackburn

Defensive end Reuben Bain

It is rare to write about a true freshman as a player to watch, but Reuben Bain is a former four-star recruit who already looks like a future NFL player. Bain has seen plenty of playing time this season and like Taylor, the stats are not going to pop off of the page at you. He has only five tackles and one sack this season, but he is the top-graded freshman player on PFF (Pro Football Focus) and he has a bright future ahead. 

Bain is going to get plenty of run this Saturday against Georgia Tech and he is a player that is getting better and better with each rep. Miami has a lot of players that can hurt Georgia Tech up front, but Bain is going to need special attention. 

Safety Kam Kinchens

Kinchens was an All-American last season and in the matchup against Georgia Tech, he intercepted three passes, including a pick-six, and single-handily went into Bobby Dodd Stadium and won the game. In the game against Texas A&M earlier this season, Kinchens intercepted a pass and helped Miami win the game, but was hurt in the process. He missed the next two games against Bethune-Cookman and Temple and then used the bye week as an extra week to get healthy. Kinchens is ready to go this week according to Hurricanes Head Coach Mario Cristobal and Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King is going to need to know where the Miami safety is around the field and not get baited into making a bad throw. 

How to Watch Georgia Tech at Miami

Who: Georgia Tech at Miami

When: 8:00 p.m., Saturday

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL

TV: ACC Network

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