JD PicKell: Mario Cristobal has revamped defense in year one

The Miami Hurricanes have undergone major changes under new head coach Mario Cristobal since he was hired earlier in the offseason. Cristobal has emphasized toughness and intensity, which are two qualities that you love to see in a team’s defense. For Miami, the defense could be a major key in 2022 and Cristobal has the program excited about the progress thus far.

In a recent episode of The Hard Count, On3’s J.D. PicKell evaluated Miami’s defense and said that it looks retooled from where it was last season. The Hurricanes have more depth in all areas of the unit, which should pay dividends throughout the course of the season.

“The first point when it comes to what you’re seeing right now at fall camp for Miami is this defense looks retooled to where you have more depth at the defensive line and the secondary than you did a year ago,” PicKell said. “Mario Cristobal has been very public, has gone into the portal, gotten some guys that are going to help them right away and guys that have experience playing at the Division I, FBS level. So that’s first.

“Being able to have depth throughout the duration of the season as physical as football is, as intense as this game is, 12 games wears on you. So for these guys to be able to have a second line of defense more or less, that’s going to be crucial for them in ACC play.”

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the On3 YouTube channel today for all of the latest news on college football, recruiting, NIL, more!

Nyjalik Kelly could have a big impact on Miami’s defense

EDGE Nyjalik Kelly could bring a big boost for Miami on defense in 2022. He is part of Miami’s 2022 recruiting class, and he was rated as a four-star recruit and the 9th-best EDGE in the class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

“The second thing they’re talking about down there is a guy by the name of Nyjalik Kelly,” added PicKell. “He is a freshman defensive end, but they are really excited about him. Now he’s still developing physically, he’s still getting into that college strength program. But they think he’s going to be a guy that helps them this season.

“Is he going to start? Remains to be seen. Probably not. But he’s a guy that you’re going to see in situations where it’s going to be a third and long or an obvious pass rush situation. So Nyjalik Kelly, a guy to be excited about in Coral Gables.”

Miami begins the 2022 season at home on Sept. 3 against Bethune-Cookman.