JUST IN: Top 10 Miami football transfer class included 22-year-old key man committed
With the addition of edge rusher Tyler Baron on Tuesday night, the Miami football team became the fifth program nationwide to have both top 10 recruiting and transfer classes in 2024. Miami’s 2024 class ranks fourth overall, and Baron’s addition boosts their transfer class to 10th.
According to 247Sports, Baron is the 72nd-ranked transfer and the 10th edge rusher in the 2024 portal. Miami had already added Marshall transfer edge rusher Elijah Alston. With returning starters Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, Miami will boast one of the nation’s top edge rushing units.
In 2023, Baron had his best collegiate season, recording 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, 2 passes defended, and one forced fumble. On passing downs, Miami might shift Bain and Mesidor inside, allowing Alston and Baron to pressure from the edges, creating a formidable pass rush.
Miami’s transfer class is now the second-highest ranked in the ACC, behind Florida State, which ranks seventh nationally and first in the ACC. Miami has added 15 new transfers, while Florida State has 17. Baron is the fourth-highest ranked transfer edge rusher in the ACC, with Florida State’s Marvin Jones Jr. leading the list.
Baron is the 15th transfer addition for Miami, the sixth this spring, and the 10th on defense for the 2024 roster. Almost all of Miami’s transfers will have the opportunity to compete for first-team snaps during August training camp, with some adding much-needed depth to the roster.
Miami has been widely praised for signing the best 2024 defensive line class. The transfer class could rival the 2024 freshmen class in impact. Besides Alston, Miami has also brought in transfer defensive tackles Simeon Barrow from Michigan State, C.J. Clark from North Carolina State, and Marley Cook from Middle Tennessee State.
Miami defensive line coaches Joe Salave’a and Jason Taylor have done an exceptional job securing talent over the past year. Taylor was the third highest-ranked recruiter in the 2024 class, excluding transfers. Miami’s defensive line is expected to be elite in 2024.