With star players departing, Justin Scott shoulders a pivotal leadership role, ready to ignite the Miami Hurricanes' defensive line with his proven performance.
As All-American Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor depart, the Miami Hurricanes will seek new leadership among the defensive line. Despite several new transfer portal additions and incoming freshmen, they already have a few established veterans ready to step up, including Justin Scott. He’s coming off an active sophomore season: 26 total tackles, 15 solos and 11 assists, 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, a pass broken up, and a pass defended in 15 games, including nine starts.
As defensive lineman David Blay Jr. joins Bain Jr. and Mesidor in having NFL hopes, Scott has an opportunity to earn a full-time starting role next to redshirt senior Ahmad Moten Sr. However, the 20-year-old understands it’s going to take a collective effort to make up for the loss of the star edge rushers.
“Bain and Mesidor were great players,” he said. “Right now, everybody is stepping up. [Armondo Blount], [Marquise Scott], me, [Jaquez Carter], even the freshmen. You got [Isaac Chukwurah] and Keshawn [Stancil], everybody just stepping up.”
Last season, the defensive line caused havoc against opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. The Hurricanes recorded 50 total tackles, which was the most in the nation. After an offseason, defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman helped turn the program around with a philosophy centered on physicality, resilience, and violence.
Regardless of notable departures, Scott, along with the other established veterans, is expected to carry over the tradition heading into next season. He looks to deliver a similar impact on the upcoming freshmen, just as Bain Jr. and Mesidor did for him.
“It’s on me to hold the standard for the young guys,” Scott added. “Just remembering what they did for me and how they led, kind of just taking the same thing they [were] doing and doing it myself. Especially, being with them all the time, during all [of the] summer workouts, spring, everything. I kind of already seen that they was going to get everything that they wanted, just by the way they worked.”
Last season, the Hurricanes didn’t light up the scoreboard in any similar fashion to when quarterback Cam Ward led the offense. However, it was the defense that kept the team in the running to win games, making key stops, such as a Bain Jr. sack against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the opener.
Coming off a National Championship appearance, Scott’s experience and leadership will play a factor in the Hurricanes’ success next season. The Chicago native understands the task at hand and accepts the challenge.
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