Key Miami defensive lineman officially enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Miami’s defensive line took a big hit on Friday. Nesta Silvera entered the transfer portal, On3’s Matt Zenitz has learned.

The news comes two days after Silvera announced his intention to enter the portal. He could’ve declared for the NFL Draft, but instead will take his talents elsewhere for his last year of eligibility.

pic.twitter.com/O5H4IyV9hb

— Nesta Jade Silvera (@NJS_ERA) January 6, 2022

“I want to thank the University of Miami for allowing me to play football at this prestigious university,” Silvera wrote via his Twitter. “It was a dream come true and I’ll never forget those moments out on Greentree or at Hardrock. Nobody can take those moments away. … It’s with a heavy heart and a bunch of sleepless nights that I have decided to enter the transfer portal.

“I love the crib, but it’s time to do what’s best for me.”

In his four years with the Hurricanes, Silvera had 105 tackles and 16 tackles for loss, including 5.5 this year. He was one of Miami’s starters this season, which is why it’s such a big loss for the Hurricanes’ defensive line.

Miami announces Bryan McClendon as co-offensive coordinator

Miami head coach head coach Mario Cristobal officially announced the Huricanes’ new wide receiver coach and co-offensive coordinator on Wednesday night. 

Bryan McClendon will be joining Cristobal’s staff once again, according to Manny Navarro of The Athletic. Yahoo Sports Pete Thamel was the first to report Miami was targeting McClendon on Jan. 4.

McClendon, who played at Georgia, got his coaching start with the Bulldogs in 2007. He worked his way up from a graduate assistant in 2007 to assistant head coach and, eventually, Bulldogs interim head coach in 2015. During that time, McClendon also spent time as a recruiting coordinator, meaning he brings some southeast recruiting experience to Cristobal’s staff, as well.

He then became the offensive coordinator at South Carolina from 2016-19. After that, he took over as Oregon’s passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2020-21.

After Cristobal left for Miami, McClendon served as Oregon’s interim head coach for the Ducks’ Alamo Bowl matchup with Oklahoma. The Sooners won a thrilling shootout 47-32 in San Antonio on Dec. 29. That proved to be McClendon’s only game as the Ducks headman after they hired Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning to replace Cristobal.

Lanning is coaching the Bulldogs through the College Football Playoff. That means he’ll start full-time with the Ducks after Georgia’s national championship showdown against Alabama on Jan. 10.