A young Canes player drawing raves. And why players excited about new coordinator

Miami Herald

03-04-2025

A six-pack of Miami Hurricanes notes on a Thursday:
▪ UM players like the approach of new coordinator Corey Hetherman, because of the freedom his defense gives them.
'I love this defense,' defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor said Thursday. 'It's simple. I get to play inside and out [at tackle and end]. I'm so happy. I love it. It's like waking up in the morning to your mom making French Toast.
'You get freedom. I have a bunch of freedom inside and out. It allows me to play, allows me to rush the quarterback, to do what I'm good at.'
Mesidor said 'the defense is pretty simple. Everything changes based on formations and shifts. It's really just communication. We're communicating a lot better. We basically run through plays every single day. Guys are starting to play together [on a string] a little bit more.'
Defensive end Rueben Bain explained the upshot of Hetherman's defense this way: 'Everybody is gaining confidence in the scheme so we can make checks without even having to look at the DC. We can just run it.
'He gives us the call and we run it. With that, we are going to play a little faster because we have the confidence that we need and are playing free.'
Hetherman, who replaced the ousted Lance Guidry, had one of the nation's highest-ranked defenses at Minnesota last season.
In a conversation with Canes radio analyst Don Bailey Jr., offensive line coach Alex Mirabal had an interesting description of Hetherman:
'Meat and potatoes, tough, teacher, holds them accountable. is on our best players more than he is [others]. He holds our best players to the highest of standards. He's a no frills kind of guy. line up and I've got to beat you in my base.I've got to beat you in vanilla and chocolate before I put sprinkles on it.
'They're making it hard on us on our offense. They're playing tight coverage in the back end. He fits in really well with coach [Mario] Cristobal's personality and the personality of our offense.'
▪ Players are raving about freshman edge player Hayden Lowe, the former Los Angeles area prep star who was rated the second best edge player and 16th best prospect by 247 Sports. Lowe picked UM over Alabama, Notre Dame, Oregon, Michigan, Texas and others.
'He's violent and has a high motor and he's physical,' Mesidor said. 'He's a huge specimen, strong, ripped, tall. But effort and motor is what makes him stand out.'
Bain says Lowe has 'got an amazing motor. He plays with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of tenacity. He's always around the ball, he's always making plays. He's going to be a great player.'
Freshmen defensive tackle Donta Simpson, the three-star prospect from Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, is 'a real nasty run stopper,' Bain said. 'To be a young guy that size who moves how he moves, that's a real blessing. He's been real aggressive past 10, 11 practices.'
▪ WQAM's Bailey, who has watched practices, said Miami 'really hit a home run' with TCU transfer center James Brockermeyer…
He said tight end Elija Lofton has taken another step 'and they've got to manufacture ways to get him the ball. Lofton is so powerful, well conditioned and strong. Who's going to cover him?'...
He said former UM assistant Marc Trestman was at practice Tuesday and told Bailey that the wide receiver group looks 'special.'..
Bailey said running back Jordan Lyle has had a 'very good spring. Made some good runs. Has speed and power. He's a different guy than a year ago. I expect him to have a 100 yards season.'
▪ Quick stuff part 1: Freshman receiver Joshua Moore had a leaping catch during the portion of practice open to reporters... Cornerback Xavier Lucas, the Wisconsin transfer, had an interception and continues a very strong spring.. Receiver Jojo Trader had another good day; he's positioned to be a starter...
Defensive end/edge player Armondo Blount continues to turn heads. 'He's savage; he's going to do a lot for us,' Mesidor said. Bain said Blount is 'always popping up on film for the right violence, the right steps.'
▪ Quick stuff part 2: Mirabal calls guard Anez Cooper 'the heart and spirit of our offense. He's having a phenomenal spring camp; I'd put it up there with anyone on the team.'...
Bain, on former Canes player Damione Lewis, who is coaching the defensive linemen with Jason Taylor: 'He's working with the tackles. He's a little more energetic than JT, a little more outspoken. He'll say what he wants to say, doesn't care how you feel, but it's [done] in a positive direction.'