Miami has Rueben Bain, Ahkeem Mesidor replacement poised for breakout year

Miami (FL) football lures the highest paid college quarterback in Darian Mensah to start the season. But the Hurricanes need to replace Rueben Bain and Ahkeem Mesidor to ensure their pass rush stays alive. Miami fans will find that Armondo Blount can hand them peace of mind on that front.

ESPN rolled out its list of sleeper football players who could breakout in 2026. College football analyst Adam Rittenberg points to the former five-star College Football Recruiting find in 2024 as one ready to emerge.

“Miami has a clear need at the end spots after losing first-round NFL draft picks Rueben Bain and Ahkeem Mesidor. While Missouri transfer Damon Wilson II will help, Blount gained valuable experience last season, including during Miami’s CFP run,” Rittenberg said.

Yet Rittenberg isn’t the only one high on Blount’s potential. Head coach Mario Cristobal shared equal praise for the defensive lineman. 

“Armondo Blount is a guy I really pay close attention to,” Cristobal told ESPN. “That guy has a great skill set, and he is big, strong, fast, and he is relentless. Like, that motor is insane. I know everyone talks about Damon Wilson, and they should. Can [the ends] play as good as Mesidor and Bain? Let’s go find out if they can.”

So Blount stepping up puts Miami in tremendous shape post Bain and Mesidor. Already Miami is dealing with losing former five-star edge rusher signing Hayden Lowe, who parted ways with the team in early August.

Junior Marquise Lightfoot is another key returner who can form a trio with Wilson and Blount. But again, the Miami native Blount is rising as Cristobal and the ‘Canes next breakthrough defender.

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