The Miami Hurricanes football program has utilized the NCAA transfer portal to add transfers at three essential positions. Adding Tennessee Defensive end Deandre Johnson was a step in the right direction for a defense that lost two defensive ends in Quincy Roche and Jaelen Phillips to the upcoming NFL Draft. The team received a significant boost on both sides of the ball when they added Georgia Defensive back Tyrique Stevenson and Oklahoma Wide receiver Charleston Rambo. Although the Hurricanes have retained most players at these positions, neither position appears to have more than one cemented starter. The Miami Hurricanes football team appears to be prepared for the 2021 season after adding several new transfers.
Hurricanes Football Adds Transfers
Tyrique Stevenson and Deandre Johnson are graduates of former Florida 8A State Champion Southridge High School, located in Miami, Florida. Johnson, a member of Southridge’s 2016 State Champion team, saw action in eight games this year for the Tennesee Volunteers. Johnson finished the 2020 season with 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. The team is not returning a single upper-classmen edge rusher. The senior defensive end adds much-needed experience to a position group in need of a veteran leader.
The Hurricanes also welcomed play-making Defensive back Tyrique Stevenson from the University of Georgia. Stevenson started in four games at nickel back for the 7th ranked Bulldogs last season. The rangy defensive back finished the season with 34 tackles while also leading the defense in passes defended. Although the Hurricanes backfield features proven safety Bubba Bolden, there is a hole to fill after the departure of senior Amari Carter.
While highly recruited receivers Mark Pope, Dee Wiggins, and Mike Harley have shown flashes at times, the receiver core has underperformed. The Hurricanes added transfer Charleston Rambo from Oklahoma who thrives in many areas that the Hurricanes receivers are inconsistent. In his past two years at Oklahoma, he dropped five balls while catching 68 passes for eight touchdowns.