DT transfer Lichtenstein sees different culture at Miami, says fall competition "will breed a bunch of beasts"

When Jacob Lichtenstein was a freshman at USC, he says older players didn’t want to help the incoming class because they were worried their reps would be affected. As a Miami Hurricane? The transfer DT says it’s the total opposite. And that’s a reflection of the culture that Mario Cristobal is instilling.

“At USC there were some guys that thought my class coming in was a threat, `Oh, we’re not going to teach those guys, they’re going to take our reps,’” Lichtenstein said. “Here the older guys are encouraging (younger players). You’re only as strong as you’re weakest link. I’m really excited.”

Lichtenstein adds that “What’s really exciting is just (Mario) Cristobal and the football staff being in such tight work with the athletic department. If there’s something we need, we go to Cristobal about a problem, it feels like things are being handled and your voice is being heard. The trust with the coaches increases a lot. We have a really good trust with the players and staff that isn’t always there, and man that’s exciting. The trust in the plays, everything. I’ve been with teams, guys didn’t trust the coach – they jump out of the gap, 90-yard run. … just having that trust in them is going to make a huge difference.”

Reps will be at a premium in fall camp at tackle, where others battling to start or be in the rotation include transfers Darrell Jackson and Antonio Moultrie along with returners like Leonard Taylor, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Elijah Roberts and Allan Haye … and with Ahmad Moten coming in.

“I’m excited, you want to welcome the competition,” Lichtenstein said. “It’s going to breed a bunch of beasts. You know someone is right behind you chasing you.”

Lichtenstein transferred from USC to Miami in January and spent the spring working mainly with the first team at defensive tackle. The sixth-year senior redshirted in 2017 with the Trojans, then in 2018 started twice and played in 11 games, finishing with 15 tackles, two for losses. In 2019 he sat out due to a knee injury and had hernia surgery after the season, then in 2020 opted out of the first four games before returning for the final two, but he didn’t see any action. This past season he played primarily defensive tackle and had 28 tackles, six for loss, with four sacks. A 4-star out of Weston (Fla.) Cypress Bay High School, he was never offered by Miami.

But now he’s a Hurricane and is expected to, if not start at tackle, at least be in the rotation.

“I’m fired up, can’t wait,” Lichtenstein says. “My goal is definitely to be the best teammate I can be, give maximum effort every day, stay disciplined. We definitely are looking to make a run here, just stay on top of it, work every day. One play, one day at a time.”

Lichtenstein says the depth chart is a work in progress.

Last year at USC he had a solid 65.2 grade on defense last year per Pro Football Focus (66.7 pass rush, 60.9 run defense).

He plans to improve on all facets of his game, and part of that was the work he put in this offseason. Lichtenstein says he improved his bench press by 30 pounds, his squat 50 and his power clean 20.

Something else he worked on?

“Definitely my hands, coach Joe (Salave’a) is big on using your deuces,” Lichtenstein says. “Throwing my hands and definitely coach (Aaron) Feld has helped a lot. I’ve gotten a lot stronger here. Man, I’m just excited to put my hands on someone after that summer training.

“It gives the ability to strike, get off blocks, which is vital for a D tackle. I’m able to do that at a more effective rate.”

Lichtenstein has been on a handful of different teams now. He knows what it should look like. And he likes what he’s seeing at Miami.

“I’m getting a good vibe from this team,” he said. “I feel we’re heading in the right direction. Training camp is where the magic happens.

“I’m excited to build that bond, build that culture and work with my brothers.”