Matt Fortuna, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

How recruiting can help Miami get after the QB

A look at Miami's biggest position need for 2016 and how the Hurricanes are addressing it in recruiting:

Biggest need: One look at the teams in this year’s national title game shows the difference between Alabama and Clemson and the rest of college football: A relentless ability to rush the passer and disrupt the opposing offense. The defensive line is the hallmark of any great team. And in the case of those two finalists, it goes beyond just each team's four starters. Look at Miami’s glory days from the past: Warren Sapp, William Joseph, Cortez Kennedy and Russell Maryland were just some of the standout defensive linemen anchoring the Canes’ five national titles. Miami has lacked that edge up front in recent years. The Canes finished tied for 66th nationally in 2015 with just 26 sacks. In fact, in the five-year Al Golden era, Miami never finished better than tied for 45th nationally in sacks, as the Canes notched 29 quarterback takedowns in 2013. Their 37 sacks in 2010, the final year of the Randy Shannon era, were good for ninth nationally, but they have been mediocre to poor in that department since. If Mark Richt wants to restore the swagger at The U, he will have to start by doing it up front. -- Matt Fortuna

Recruiting scoop: The Hurricanes have a major need on the defensive line in the 2016 class. The end position has been addressed with ESPN300’s Patrick Bethel and Joseph Jackson in the fold, but defensive tackle remains a huge void with less that 20 days until national signing day. Mark Richt and staff have ESPN 300 Marcel Southall visiting Jan. 23 and are trying to get ESPN 300 and LSU commit Glen Logan to do the same. A second tackle from Louisiana that the staff is trying to get on campus is ESPN 300 and Arkansas verbal Briston Guidry. At this point, it’s all questions without any answers with two official visit weekends remaining. -- Gerry Hamilton

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