After a championship loss, a talented Miami Hurricanes defender seeks new opportunities, hinting at specific destinations with a "do-not-contact" tag.
As the Miami Hurricanes continue to find peace with the loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the National Championship, with a final score of 27-21, the business side of college football continues to take charge. Players from both programs earn an extended opportunity to enter the transfer portal.
It was reported on Wednesday that linebacker Malik Bryant plans to depart from the Hurricanes and seek new opportunities.
The 22-year-old only appeared in four games throughout the regular season, none in the College Football Playoffs, recording two total tackles, one solo and one assist.
There would've been an opportunity for Bryant to compete for a bigger role, especially with starting linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, who doesn't have eligibility anymore.
The Orlando native was a four-star recruit coming out of Jones High School, recording 140 total tackles, 55 solos and 85 assists, 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and one interception in 27 games. Bryant received tremendous interest from powerhouse programs, such as the Florida Gators, Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas Longhorns, and many others, before committing to the Hurricanes on July 27th, 2022.
He saw more time on the football field throughout the 2024 season, playing in 12 games, recording 17 total tackles, five solos and 12 assists, five tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
It's worth mentioning that Bryant entered the transfer portal with a do-not-contact tag, which means that he's restricted other schools from initiating contact. That's usually a sign that the player has an interest in joining specific programs.
Despite dealing with injuries, there's plenty of untapped potential waiting to be seen on the football field. Bryant is athletic, who's able to make defensive plays with his power and speed. He's able to play as an edge rusher, which could've been a bigger reason to stay with the Hurricanes, as Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. are likely to declare for the NFL draft, both projected as first-rounders.
The program signed a couple of three-star linebackers in the upcoming freshman class with Karsten Busch and Justin Edwards.
The Hurricanes have successfully transformed the team's defense, especially with Corey Hetherman at the helm as defensive coordinator. They will look to keep the trend going, despite a tremendous amount of new pieces.
There's a slim chance that Bryant returns, but the do-not-contact tag indicates his tenure with the Hurricanes has likely ended. The final day for players from the National Championship to enter the transfer portal is Saturday.
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