Despite portal departures, a defensive anchor returns, bolstering the Miami Hurricanes' front seven and championship aspirations for one final, impactful season.
Despite losing some players to the extended window of the transfer portal, especially with the latest news about running back Girard Pringle Jr., one household name decided to remain with the Miami Hurricanes. It was reported on Thursday that defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. decided to play one final year, instead of declaring for the NFL draft or entering the transfer portal.
The defensive lineman is coming off an excellent season, playing and starting in 14 games, recording 31 total tackles, 20 solos and 11 assists, nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Moten Sr. was one of the core players who helped transform the program in the long run, along with running back Mark Fletcher Jr., linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, and edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr.
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native played a key role in the Hurricanes' success in the College Football Players. However, after the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Moten Sr. suffered an ankle injury. He managed to play through the rest of the way, recording 70 snaps in the following two rounds.
Moten Sr. was a three-star recruit coming out of Cardinal Gibbons High School, recording 56 total tackles, 15 solos and 41 assists, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks in 18 total games. He received offers and interest from multiple powerhouse programs, such as the Oregon Ducks, Florida Gators, and Tennessee Volunteers, before committing to the Hurricanes on Feb. 2, 2022.
The 21-year-old joined the program a year after Mario Cristobal's initial season as head coach, finishing with a 5-7 overall record. It was the start of a new chapter, but Moten Sr. bought into the vision and has seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
The Hurricanes' reaching the National Championship, despite falling short, successfully established a new culture and standard. The front seven could be just as strong, if not stronger, with recent reports about transfer portal edge rusher Damon Wilson II joining the team next season.
Moten Sr. could emerge as one of the Hurricanes' leaders as Bissainthe and Mauigoa have declared for the upcoming NFL draft, with Bain Jr. and Mesidor likely to declare soon. Having National Championship experience, especially for a program that hasn't reached the big stage in over two decades prior, is extremely valuable.
The Hurricanes still have a couple of holes to fill, but there's optimism for next season.
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