Miami Hurricanes 2019 Player Profile: Pat Bethel

Senior-DT-6’3’-290lbs-Vero Beach, Florida-Vero Beach HS

Coming into the 2019 season, Pat Bethel was the lone returning defensive tackle with long-term experience in Manny Diaz’s scheme. The starting DT will likely be lining up next to Jon Ford or Chigozie Nnoruka on August 24th. With the recent injury to sophomore Nesta Silvera, Bethel will be looked upon to provide leadership and stability to a young core of defensive linemen. Several inexperienced players will be tasked with filling in until Silvera’s return. It will be Bethel who will have to help guide the unit. Bethel has gotten better each year in Miami. The defensive line is the engine that drives our stellar defense. Games are won in the trenches. After a season of career-highs, Bethel is ready to make his mark amongst a talented and swarming defense.

High School Years

Bethel’s father, Randy Bethel, played tight end at Miami from 1987-1990. This made Pat Bethel’s affinity and love for the Canes a birthright. He was an Under-Armour All-America Game selectee. Rated as a four-star DL prospect by ESPN, Bethel was highly recruited and regarded. He was ranked as a three-star performer by Rivals and 247 Sports. The ESPN300 defensive lineman enrolled in Miami in January 2016 as a part of #Swag16. Bethel turned down offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, and many others.

Canes Years

247 Sports

Bethel played in 11 games in his freshman season and finished with 6 total tackles. He blocked a punt in his first game of action against Florida A&M in the season opener. In his sophomore season, his tackle count tripled. He also thunderously gained a sack, forced a fumble, and recovered a fumble on one play in the 2017 season. On the play, Bethel tallied a 2-yard strip-sack of former Duke QB and New York Giants 1st round pick Daniel Jones. He then hustled to recover the fumble himself. Bethel’s turnover chain pose was legendary.

He got on the field in the ACC Championship game and the Orange Bowl in that year. Last year was Bethel’s first year as a starter. It was a breakout year for the 3rd-year player. He finished with 23 total tackles (7 solo), 6 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. His standout game came against Boston College when he finished with a career-best 6 tackles.

Projection

Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The main trend for Bethel is that his production increases with playing time. Entering into his second-year as a starter and his last year as a Cane, Bethel will serve to be one of the key elements of the terrorizing defense that Manny Diaz has schemed up. His ability to penetrate into the backfield and skill to set the line of scrimmage through power, is crucial. The dominance of Gerald Willis III is gone and the gift of lining up next to him. But Bethel doesn’t have to play up to that shadow. He plays in a scheme that will put his best talents on display. There’s not reason to doubt that in this season, following a year of career-bests, Bethel won’t supplant those numbers.