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2022 Canes Recruiting Spotlight: Top Defensive Players In Dade County

Winning the state of Miami is crucial for the Canes in recruiting, and Dade County is loaded with 2022 talent on defense.

By marshthomas

One of the biggest things that head coach Howard Schnellenberger preached when he arrived at UM in 1979, was that UM was going to dominate the recruiting in South Florida. He set out to win the “State of Miami,” and made sure that the Hurricanes were getting the best players in their backyard.

While South Florida has been infiltrated by schools like Alabama and Clemson in recent years, winning the State of Miami in recruiting is always something that UM needs to shoot for.

Today, I want to talk about some of the best 2022 recruits in Dade County, the Canes home turf. In this class, we find plenty of playmakers on defense, as well as exciting and electric weapons on offense. Though, today I'm going to be focusing on defense.

One of the best players in Dade, and one of the premiere linebackers in the nation for 2022, Bissainthe is a top priority for the Canes this next cycle, and was a major component in Miami Central’s run at a state championship this season. With 4.7 40 speed, he can run with receivers in coverage, blitz off the edge and stop the run. Bissainthe’s ceiling is almost freaky given his natural ability.

Stewart is the top edge-rusher not only in South Florida, but the entire country. In fact, Stewart is highest ranked non-quarterback recruit in the 2022 class, coming in at #5 in the 247 Sports system for his cycle. He’s also the top ranked player in the state of Florida, just like Leonard Taylor for 2021. If the Canes were able to get Taylor, why not Stewart?

This is the kind of player that’ll be playing as a freshman, and then on Sunday’s a few years down the road. With great inside and outside moves, Stewart is no match for offensive lineman on his way to the quarterback. When it comes to elite South Florida prospects for 2022, the list begins with Stewart. Miami is going to have to fight off the entire country in able to land Stewart, but he has noted how good UM has done developing DE’s.

One of two Homestead players on this list (other one coming up next), Anderson has established himself as one of the premiere pass-rushers in South Florida. He has a lengthy frame with plenty of room to grow, but that doesn’t stop him from being disruptive on the defensive line. In six games this season, Anderson racked up 10 sacks.

Anderson’s teammate on the defensive line, Lyons helped create one of the best DL duos in the area. Playing at defensive tackle, Lyons has the physicality that coaches want, but his quickness and ability to get to the quarterback is what makes him one of the top 2022 prospects at DT. Securing the Homestead duo of Lyons and Anderson is going to be big for the Canes.

  • Francois Nolton-Défensive End (Edison)

Another big name defensive lineman, spoiler alert, South Florida is full of them for 2022. Nolton fills out his pads standing at 6-4, and has the size that major programs look for in defensive ends. Combination of speed and strength allowed Nolton to register 10,5 sacks as a sophomore, and as a junior he continued to turn heads.

Lathan is a very interesting player, because he plays both wide receiver and outside linebacker at Gulliver Prep, though Gaby Urrutia of 247 Sports said that Lathan looks like he’s building up to play defense once he gets to college. With Lathan’s size (over 200 pounds) and versatility, he may be a perfect fit to play striker at Miami. The Canes added a player to their 2021 class with a similar skill set in Chase Smith. I love players that have both played ways, and Lathan is a recruit I'm very excited to watch throughout the next year.