:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67560349/9933910.0.jpg)
On a stacked defensive line that features players like Jaelan Phillips, Quincy Roche and Nesta Jade Silvera, redshirt freshman DT Jared Harrison-Hunte is beginning to establish himself as a potential future starter and star for the Hurricanes.
Watching the Miami game over again. Jared Harrison-Hunte and Cameron Williams were both super impressive. A couple young studs on that defensive line.
— Gaboowins (@GabyUrrutia22) September 21, 2020
After Miami’s first 3 games, Harrison-Hunte is tied for the team lead with 2 sacks, and he also has 5 tackles and 3 TFLs. Roche and Zach McCloud also have 2 sacks.
Harrison-Hunte is part of a trio at defensive tackle, along with Jason Blissett Jr. and Jalar Holley, and all three came in in 2019 as true freshmen, and received high praise from DL coach Todd Stroud. After hearing coach Stroud talk about them, I've been looking forward to seeing them play more and more.
Remember those young DL Manny Diaz kept talking about? Jared Harrison-Hunte with his first sack. Cam Williams brought the heat on the outside.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 20, 2020
While Holley and Blissett are also coming along nicely, Harrison-Hunte has surprised many Canes fans with his production so far in 2020. After playing 19 snaps in the opening game against UAB, Harrison-Hunte has seen his time on the field increase in the last two games, and for good reason.
Against Louisville, Harrison-Hunte recorded his first career sack in a crucial moment of the game, helping lift Miami to a 47-34 win.
After the game, Manny Diaz said Harrison-Hunt “was our best inside guy” against the Cardinals. “It’s fun to watch young guys like Hunte have his best game,” coach Diaz told reporters.
It’s a freshmen meeting at the QB. Cam Williams gets the initial pressure and Harrison-Hunte cleans it up. Pro tip: Don’t try and block our DEs with tight ends. pic.twitter.com/YHoI8Tt1Xo
— Canes Legacy (@CanesLegacy) September 20, 2020
Then on Saturday against FSU, Harrison-Hunte continued to make plays, adding another sack to his stat sheet. According to PFF, he finished as the third highest ranked Miami player in the game, with a 77.7 pass rushing grade.
Harrison-Hunte has really taken a leap from year 1 to year 2. He gets skinny between the guard and center with a free shot at Blackmon. Nice athleticism. He’s going to develop into something special. pic.twitter.com/XrVeDysqTc
— Canes Legacy (@CanesLegacy) September 27, 2020
Harrison-Hunte’s ability to get to the quarterback is something that Miami hasn’t seen out of a defensive tackle in years, and is the type of interior pass-rusher that’s so valuable in todays spread offense world.
With his increased production the last two games, Harrison-Hunte will definitely be getting more snaps as the season goes on. When you take his pass rush ability, the skill-set of Nesta, and Jordan Miller and Jon Ford taking double teams with their size, Miami is starting to develop a solid rotation at defensive tackle.
One thing is for sure, with Harrison-Hunte only a redshirt freshman, his future on the Canes defensive line is looking very bright, and expect to see plenty more of him as 2020 progresses.