Miami Football: Position Breakdown: Defensive Line

The Hurricanes ranked 113th in sacks last year. They ranked 105th in tackles for loss. Those stats aren’t just lumped on the shoulders of the defensive line, but the DL’s performance certainly played a big part in the sub-par performance in those categories.  The bottom line is the Hurricanes didn’t get good enough play from their defensive line last year and that has to vastly improve in 2013 for this defense to finally get over its growing pains. Going into 2012, we had high hopes for SO DL Anthony Chickillo. Chickillo had a pretty pretty pretty good freshman campaign and we expected more in 2012. Chick, as we have started to call him, gave a ton of effort last year but when there isn’t enough talent and  to go around up front, opposing offensive lines could tee off on him. Chick finished his 2012 campaign with  45 tackles (8th)  and 6.5 tackles-for-loss for a team-high 31 yards lost.  He also led the  team with 4.0 sacks for 24 yards lost. Four sacks. Only four sacks led the ‘Can...