Waynmon Steed likes what he's seeing coming off Miami's first full pads fall practice: "The Kevin Steele defense is fast and physical"
AUG. 11 PRACTICE NOTES WITH DRILLS FULLY OPEN TO MEDIA
Miami Hurricanes Fall Camp Comprehensive Coverage
At a linebacker position with some question marks, Waynmon Steed is a veteran sixth-year senior who started 10 games the last two years and had 54 tackles in 2021, ranking second on Miami’s team. There are no guarantees he’ll start this year, though, with UM bringing in MLB Caleb Johnson (“he’s doing a great job,” Steed says) in the transfer portal and former MLB starter Corey Flagg working in at Steed’s WILL spot … and with Keontra Smith also showing flashes there and earning first team work. Chase Smith is a young player also trying to work into the rotation at SAM and WILL.
The competition is something Steed welcomes.
The idea is it’ll make the entire defense play more physical and win more battles on the field.
“(Mario) Cristobal is having that big emphasis on being physical and with pads on (today) being more physical,” Steed says.
During today’s first practice in full pads, the front seven on defense only allowed one sizable carry by a running back, really holding its own.
“Having the big guys up front, them being big and physical up front makes that whole defense corps have that stabilization in front,” Steed them. “Having them, it’s big for the linebackers being able to flow to the O linemen. Having them is a big key, and those boys are stepping up.”
If Steed wins the starting job this year, it’ll just be the latest example of his perseverance. He arrived at UM out of Miami Central High in 2017 and quickly underwent surgery for a torn ACL. He redshirted and rehabbed, then played in five games off the bench in 2018 before suffering a torn ACL in the same left knee. That cost him the 2019 season, and there was some thought he’d medically retire.
He didn’t.
And he’s been working in mainly as the first-teamer this fall.
Steed’s added 10 pounds of muscle this offseason and feels quick. He’s ready to make plays sideline to sideline.
“We’re not worrying about who’s this, who’s that – we’re just helping each other get better,” Steed said. “We’re competing every day trying to make all of us better.”
Steed says in Kevin Steele’s defense that “there are different keys and fundamentals he brings.”
“That’s definitely making a big difference,” Steed said.
Steed’s view on this linebacker corps that struggled with its tackling and the defense’s overall play coming off last year?
He says things are looking up.
“The Kevin Steele defense is fast and physical,” Steed said. “We fly to the ball, tackle, execute the game plan. Everyone is flying to the ball. Trying to make less missed tackles. We focus on everyone coming to the ball, because that’ll prevent missed tackles.”
*Asked about Wesley Bissainthe, who was working with the twos and threes today, Steed said, “Wesley is looking great. He’s a young guy, he’s improving every day, coming to work. We stay on him, keep him motivated. Wes is doing great.”
