The Miami Hurricanes’ run to the College Football Playoff National Championship game in 2025 was powered in large part by the outstanding pass-rushing duo of Reuben Bain Jr. and Akeem Mesidor.

With both standouts now set to play on Sundays after becoming first-round draft picks, questions have arisen about the Hurricanes heading into the 2026 college football season. The primary question: can Miami’s defensive front retain its dominance and game-controlling ability without its star pass-rushing duo from last season?

One factor working in Corey Hetherman’s defense’s favor that many people have overlooked is returning senior defensive tackle Ahmad Moten, Sr. Moten provided a disruptive pass-rushing presence on the inside and served as a wall against the run, helping Miami’s defensive line stay complete from one side to the other throughout the 2025 season.

That production hasn’t been lost on everyone. ESPN named Moten to their 2026 Preseason All-America team on Thursday, a recognition that speaks to his importance to the Hurricanes’ defensive identity heading into the fall.

ESPN names Miami DT Ahmad Moten, Sr. to preseason All-America team

“Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor were dominant forces off the edge for the Hurricanes last season, but don’t sleep on the impact Moten made up the middle,” ESPN’s Eli Lederman and Max Olson wrote. “The 6-3, 300-pound senior is about to earn a lot more attention this fall. Moten compiled 31 tackles, 20 pressures, 9 TFLs and 4.5 sacks during Miami’s run to the national title game and earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2025.”

Losing two first-round edge rushers in a single offseason would cripple most programs. But Miami isn’t most programs. They added Missouri star edge rusher Damon Wilson II and have a couple of rising star in Marquise Lightfoot and Armondo Blount. And having a Pro Football Hall of Famer in Jason Taylor molding those players sure doesn’t hurt either.

But Moten could be the key to Miami’s success this year. While the edge spots will feature new faces, the interior of the defensive line has its anchor firmly in place. His ability to collapse the pocket from the inside and stuff the run gave Bain, Mesidor, and the rest of the front seven cleaner rushing lanes last season.

We’ll see how well the players around Moten make their presence felt once the lights are on and the live bullets are flying. However, if Moten can maintain his level of play or even find another gear this fall, Miami’s defensive line will have the foundation it needs to build on as the program chases the program’s first title in 25 years.