Miami Recruiting: Canes Add 'Major' Defensive Tackle Talent
Article photo of Daylen Russell; credit to AllHurricanes.
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.
Justin Scott Makes It Official, Signs With Miami Hurricanes
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.
He probably still needs time to become a full-time starter for the Canes but Scott will see playing time next fall. Too big and athletic for Scott to not see playing time. How much is up to him as he hones his technique, much like Jones.
It's going to be interesting to see how Salave'a and Taylor decide to use Scott for a specific position or use him in multiple spots. The third and final defensive tackle to sign with the Canes has a different frame and experience in high school before coming to Miami.
At 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Daylen Russell signs with UM as a former edge defender for Miami (Fla.) Columbus. He began to fill out his frame as a junior and eventually made it to 275 pounds within the last year. His blend of skills should aid Russell, as well as Miami, moving forward.
First off, it's hard to find a smarter football player than Russell. Ball fakes, bootlegs, play-action, or any other type of distraction are usually conquered quickly. Russell protects his gap and attacks the ball carrier but does so by properly breaking down into a tackling position and then brings the running back to the ground.
All of his football savviness will go with him as he learns defensive tackle, but perhaps he can still help the Canes at strong-side defensive end as well, even if in special situations like goal line or short yardage. Russell's football IQ is capable of accomplishing this, and he also possesses the necessary quickness and power to hold the strong-side edge.
Long-term, Canes fans should expect Russell to be an effective defensive lineman no matter where he's lining up. Point blank, Russell is a talented defensive prospect and has a chance to be a key cog for the Canes.
As an entire group, Miami's 2024 defensive tackle recruiting class is a major help to the program. These three young men are going to help to allow the Hurricanes to have the necessary interior defensive line playmakers to compete at the highest level of college football.
Recruiting Pages To Bookmark
2023 Miami Commitments and Evaluations
2024 Miami Commitments and Evaluations
2025 Miami Commitments and Evaluations
2026 Miami Commitments and Evaluations
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.