Injuries plagued Chase Smith's career, but the veteran linebacker returns, eyeing a starting role and a championship run with the Miami Hurricanes.
The Miami Hurricanes' defense had numerous heroic moments throughout the College Football Playoffs en route to a National Championship. There are a few notable departures, such as edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, and defensive lineman David Blay Jr., all declared for the upcoming NFL draft.
However, some decided to stick around, such as veteran linebacker Mohamed Toure. He was granted an extra year of eligibility after two season-ending injuries in 2022 and 2024, plus an additional year from 2020. The New Jersey native won't be the only longtime linebacker to return, as it was reported on Tuesday that Chase Smith is expected to be back with the program instead of declaring for the NFL draft.
The 23-year-old appeared in all 16 games this past season, no starts, recording 31 total tackles, 15 solos and 16 assists, two passes defended, two passes broken up, and two fumbles recovered.
Smith's tenure with the Hurricanes was derailed throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to injuries, only appearing in eight total games. The limited action granted him another year.
The return of the former four-star high school recruit comes after linebacker Raul Aguirre Jr. entered the transfer portal and committed to an ACC opponent in the North Carolina State Wolfpack. He will reunite with former Hurricanes wide receivers Joshisa "Jojo" Trader and Chance Robinson.
As Bissainthe is going to the NFL, Smith could play for a full-time starting role next to Toure. Also, the Hurricanes might lean more on Cam Pruitt as a rotation player, who appeared in 15 games this past season, recording 10 total tackles, five solos and five assists, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks.
Smith's experience will be crucial, along with solid production on the field, as the Hurricanes bolster the roster with hopes of another National Championship chase. The program added a couple of big bodies to the front seven from the transfer portal, such as Keona Davis from the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Damon Wilson II from the Missouri Tigers.
There's a chance that this new-looking team could be stronger defensively compared to this past season, which was tremendously consistent.
The Hurricanes could emerge as early favorites, not only to win the ACC, but going after the National Championship, especially with the latest acquisitions in quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate, both previously with the Duke Blue Devils.
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