Hurricanes spring football begins on Monday, and the excitement is building.

Even though Miami’s season ended on a sour note with a loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the Hurricanes’ chances in 2024.

Key returnees and major additions have Miami looking like a challenger in the new-look ACC this year, and spring practice is the first time players and coaches can work together consistently after the offseason.

On Monday, we looked at five key storylines to follow during Miami’s spring practice. On Tuesday, we covered five offensive players who are worth keeping an eye on this spring. Here is a look at five defensive players to watch in March and April:

1. Francisco Mauigoa

Mauigoa, the older brother of standout offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, was a breakout star on the Hurricanes’ defense last year. Playing middle linebacker in Lance Guidry’s defense, Mauigoa led Miami in tackles (82) tackles for loss (18) and quarterback hits (seven). He also tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks. For his efforts, he was named to the All-ACC second team by the conference and the Associated Press. Now in his second season with the Hurricanes, Mauigoa is an established star and leader. It will be intriguing to see how he develops as a key player in this defense in his second year playing in it.

2. Damari Brown

Brown came to UM last year as a highly touted four-star cornerback out of American Heritage. Brown came with his brother, Davonte, but the elder Brown transferred to Florida State in the offseason. The younger Brown is still at Miami, and with Jaden Davis’ graduation, he has a chance to lock down the second starting cornerback spot. Brown played 331 snaps in nine games, making 14 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss without an interception. Pro Football Focus gave him a 63 defensive grade last season, and now is the time to see if he can make a sizable jump in development going into his sophomore year.

3. C.J. Clark and Marley Cook

Cook and Clark are bunched together because they are both transfer defensive tackles who will have opportunities to take over where Branson Deen and Leonard Taylor III left off. Clark arrives from ACC rival N.C. State, where he notched 22 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack. Cook, who transferred from Middle Tennessee State, had 22 tackles and a sack last season. Both players have a shot to compete for a starting role in critical spots on UM’s defensive line.

4. Jadais Richard

Richard transferred from Vanderbilt to Miami last year and saw some time on the field in his first year at UM. Richard played 187 snaps, primarily playing as a wide cornerback, making 14 tackles in 11 games. However, Hurricanes coaches have touted his ability to play multiple positions, including slot cornerback and safety. With both safeties departing for the NFL and Davis and slot cornerback Te’Cory Couch graduating, there are open spots in the secondary that Richard can compete for.

5. Zaquan Patterson

Patterson is one of the top defensive prospects in the Hurricanes’ 2024 class. Patterson was a star at Hollywood’s Chaminade-Madonna, which has sent several players to Miami recently. Patterson, who was rated a four-star prospect and the No. 6 safety in the class, had 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, 10 pass breakups and seven interceptions as a senior while helping lead Chaminade to a third straight state championship. Patterson also developed another standout skill while in high school: He became an excellent special teams player, blocking numerous punts during his high school career. With safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams departing for the NFL and Patterson enrolling early, the Chaminade star could get on the field quickly at UM.