Miami Hurricanes DE Elijah Alston “not a one-trick pony” as he looks to make impact for Lance Guidry’s defense

As coach Mario Cristobal went about his roster reshaping this off-season, perhaps no position got more attention than the defensive line. Cristobal added five portal pieces: DL Tyler Baron, DE Elijah Alston , DT Simeon Barrow, DT CJ Clark and DT Marley Cook.

Those five will join returning star end Rueben Bain and a healthy Akheem Mesidor for what, on paper at least, should be a deep and talented group up front.

After today’s practice Alston updated his progress as he battles to get reps along with the other linemen.

“The competition with me in the room, that’s what comes with football,” he said. “I see it as a good thing, competition in the room only pushes us individually to get better.”

He adds that “My transition here at the beginning was a little rough, I didn’t know how everything was going to flow, didn’t know anybody here/ Bionce I settled in everyone treated me like family.”

Alston did spend the last five years at Marshall … so he’s quite familiar with what coordinator Lance Guidry runs and vice versa.

How might he be used under Guidry at this new stop?

“I like to pass rush, drop, do whatever they need me to do,” Alston said. “I don’t feel I’m labeled as one thing (like a rush end), I’m whatever you need me to be, that type of player. Deep down inside I’d say I’m a utility player. Need me on edge I’m on the edge, need me to drop, I drop. I’m here to help. I’m not just a one-trick pony.”

Alston was electric at Marshall this past season with 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks along with an interception and 16 QB hurries. In 2022 he started twice and had 22 tackles, 1.5 TFL with 7 QB hurries. In 2021 as a redshirt freshman he started six games and had 34 tackles, 4.5 TFL and 2 sacks with two forced fumbles.

Per Pro Football Focus ? He had an elite 90.8 grade this past season (was 61.1 percent the prior season, so a huge jump up). That included a 66.9 run defense grade, 55.3 tackle grade and 90.7 pass rush grade. Alston was noted with 11 missed tackles in 475 reps with nine hits on the QB. Out of high school had other offers from James Madison, Norfolk State and Western Carolina, so he wasn’t heavily recruited.

Now he’s looking for a big final season at Miami and helping this defense achieve its potential.

“Everyone focuses on the offense, but the defensive line we’re putting together – the defense is going to be crazy this year,” Alston said. “Everyone else might overlook us, but when we step on that field you all will see what type of defense we have this year.”

*Asked about QB Cam Ward, Alston said he has a great relationship with the star transfer and that they don’t talk trash with each other and instead simply “wave” at each other.

“Me and Cam’s relationship is a little bit different,” Alston said.

He adds that getting after Ward in practice is difficult because of Miami’s stout offensive line, and also because Ward gets the ball out quickly and on target.

“Chasing after Cam is a different experience, but fun because it pushes me to get there quicker,” Alston said.

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