Miami Brings In Transfer Defensive End Deandre Johnson

Over the weekend, Manny Diaz made another move in the transfer portal, as Miami landed defensive end Deandre Johnson. Johnson comes to Coral Gables after spending four years with the Tennessee Volunteers. Johnson has one year of eligibility remaining, and he’ll be enrolled at Miami and on campus for spring classes, working with David Feeley and the strength staff all offseason.

Johnson is a native of South Florida, attending Miami Southridge High School, and was part of the 2017 recruiting class for Tennessee.

2020 was Johnson’s best for the Volunteers, establishing himself as one of Tennessee’s top pass rushers. This year, Johnson finished with 28 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6 TFLs, 6 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles, playing 350 snaps. In 4 years at Tennessee, Johnson compiled 15.5 TFLs and 10 sacks, and also 5 forced fumbles.

Johnson coming to Miami is going to be huge for the Hurricanes defense in 2021, after losing both Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips to the NFL Draft. Obviously we’re still months away from practice and depth charts being released, but I see Johnson starting at defensive end opposite side of Jahfari Harvey.

Other than Johnson and Harvey, the defensive end room for Miami is big on potential, but very much lacking in terms of game experience. UM has Chantz Williams and Cam Williams who I’m very excited to watch, but even those two haven’t had many snaps on defense. DE’s will be a very interesting position to watch in 2021.

I’m a big fan of Johnson’s athleticism as a defensive end, he can move very well for his size at 6-3 255. Defending against the outside as well as rushing the quarterback, I think Johnson is a solid pick up for the Canes. Now, I don't see him replicating what Phillips did this past season at defensive end, or what Rousseau did in 2019, but Johnson is a veteran with plenty of experience, and I see him fitting in well in Miami’s defense.