Miami announces sophomore DT Nesta Silvera, elite 2018 recruit, to have surgery

The sophomore season for Nesta Silvera, the No. 2 defensive tackle in the class of 2018, is off to a bad start. Miami announced Wednesday that the Hurricanes defensive tackle will have surgery on his foot.

Silvera, listed at 6-2, 305 pounds on UM’s roster, was a highly sought-after recruit out of American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) in the class of 2018. He was rated 4-stars, the No. 2 defensive tackle, No. 11 Florida product and No. 54 prospect overall nationally on the 247Sports Composite. Weeks before signing with Miami he took official visits to Florida (Jan. 19, 2018) and Tennessee (Jan. 26, 2018).

It’s a given that players want to play in every game possible, but Silvera was presumably extra excited for the Hurricanes’ Aug. 24 rivalry showdown against the Gators in Orlando after considering UF and having former teammates sign there. UM has not revealed a timetable for Silvera’s return.

As a freshman, Silvera logged 13 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and a blocked punt. David Lake of Inside The U wrote earlier this month that “Miami needs DT Silvera to take the next step.”

Christy Chirinos of the Sun Sentinel shared Miami’s statement on Silvera.

Nesta Silvera’s loss hurts Miami, but it is not devastating. Miami recruited three defensive tackles in their last signing class and added UCLA transfer Chigozie Nnoruka. Redshirt freshman Jordan Miller has looked really good in camp. He and Nnoruka will backup Bethel and Ford.

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) July 31, 2019

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.