Defensive tackle Chigozie Nnoruka transferred to the University of Miami from the west coast to spend his final year of eligibility in a system that better fits his talents.
In 2017, the Sacramento, California native was flourishing in then-head coach Jim Mora’s one-gap front, starting 10 games with 49 tackles, 23 QB hurries, 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Those numbers took a serious dip when Chip Kelly returned to the college ranks in 2018 and installed a two-gap system at UCLA. In addition to the defensive overhaul, the new head coach began allocating the redshirt junior’s playing time to underclassmen in an attempt to rebuild a defense that ranked 117th in points allowed.