Miami Hurricanes spring practice begins Monday, and several interesting battles loom.

Here’s an early look at the defense:

DEFENSIVE LINE

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At defensive end, key contributors Jon Garvin, Trevon Hill and Scott Patchan are gone, but this group could be just as strong — if not better — with the addition of graduate transfer Quincy Roche from Temple, Jaelan Phillips becoming eligible and the expected development of Jahfari Harvey.

Roche is the very likely starter opposite Greg Rousseau (15.5 sacks last season), and this could be Miami’s last year to reap the benefits of having Rousseau, who’s eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft. Roche was graded by Pro Football Focus as the second-best pass rusher in college football last season, behind only Ohio State’s Chase Young.

The competition for the third and fourth defensive end jobs should be highly competitive, featuring UCLA transfer Phillips, redshirt freshman Harvey, freshman Chantz Williams and redshirt freshman Cameron Williams.

Freshmen Quentin Williams and Elijah Roberts, who are signed but not enrolled, will join that battle in the summer.

Phillips, the former No. 1 overall recruit in the country in 2017, is finally healthy and enters as the favorite for the No. 3 end job after sitting out last season following his transfer.

But expect Harvey to push him; Canes coaches are very high on the former Vero Beach High standout. With Miami deep at defensive end in 2019, Canes coaches limited Harvey to four games last season to preserve a year of eligibility.

And Miami believes Chantz Williams can be a high-impact pass rusher; he broke his forearm last season while playing for a Charlotte high school, but UM has not indicated that he will miss the spring. Cameron Williams took an academic redshirt last season, but Miami coaches like the skill set.

The staff believes freshman Roberts, who’s already 6-4 and 265 pounds, could grow into a defensive tackle.

“He can play on the edge on the defense [but] Mother Nature might continue to see him grow where he becomes one of those unblockable three techniques in the Gerald Willis mold,” coach Manny Diaz said. “Time will tell on that.”

UM found consistent snaps for four defensive ends last season, and that should be the case this year, too.

At defensive tackle, UM loses a steady starter in Pat Bethel and a rotation piece in Chigozie Nnoruka.

Incumbent starter Jon Ford (three sacks) is the very likely starter at one tackle spot, with Nesta Silvera (19 tackles, sack, fumble recovery) the favorite for the other starting job.

UM will take a long look at sophomore Jordan Miller (who got in better shape and was much improved last season, with 2.5 tackles for loss) and three freshmen who defensive coordinator Blake Baker says will be “special” players: Jared Harrison Hunte, Jalar Holley and Jason Blissett.

Defensive tackle Willie Moise hasn’t signed but could join the class if he can qualify academically, which is in question.

Incidentally, Don Soldinger said Patchan visited Art Kehoe in the hospital after Kehoe’s stroke and Patchan told both of them he’s considering FAU and Colorado State.

LINEBACKER

Zach McCloud’s decision to redshirt in 2019 gives the Canes an experienced starter who had 129 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 31 starts at Miami.

Sam Brooks — who had 12 tackles in the Independence Bowl — could emerge as the linebacker who’s on the field the most (after McCloud), but he will miss spring with a shoulder injury.

That will give opportunities to Patrick Joyner Jr. and Avery Huff, in particular.

Joyner, who moved from defensive end to linebacker late last spring, played very well in the spring game, but then missed half the season with an injury and redshirted. Expect him to emerge with a significant role next season.

Huff, who took an academic redshirt last season, impressed teammates at practice and also could emerge as a rotation player.

Waymon Steed and Bradley Jennings — two veteran linebackers whose time at UM has been marred by injuries — also will be in the mix, but Jennings will miss spring with a hip injury.

Besides Brooks and Jennings, the new incoming freshmen linebackers — Corey Flagg (knee) and Tirek Austin-Cave (shoulder) — also will miss spring ball. Both entered with a chance to play as freshmen (beyond special teams), but their spring absences could be hurtful in that regard.

SAFETY

This might be UM’s deepest position beyond receiver and possibly defensive end.

There are at least three players who could make a case to start: Gurvan Hall, Bubba Bolden and Amari Carter, with freshman Keshawn Washington competing this spring and freshmen safeties Brian Balom and Avantae Williams joining the mix this summer.

Williams was rated the best safety in the country by some recruiting services.

Hall and Bolden are the front-runners to start.

Hall had a few breakdowns — including a team-leading three touchdowns relinquished in coverage — but overall was solid with 66 tackles, two sacks, an interception, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. UM believes he has the highest ceiling of the returning players.

Diaz said Bolden will miss at least part of spring practice with a foot injury sustained after an interception against FSU.

Carter started five games last season, but his play was uneven and Robert Knowles (whose eligibility has expired) sometimes played ahead of him. Carter gave up 212 yards on just nine completions (in 17 targets).

Williams, considered the nation’s No. 1 safety prospect, is talented enough to contend for immediate playing time on defense when he arrives in a few months.

CORNERBACK

With freshman Trajan Bandy turning pro early, Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey are the likely starters, but they will need to fend off second-year players Christian Williams and Te’Cory Couch and early arrival Marcus Clarke.

Freshmen Jalen Harrell (who can also play safety) and Isaiah Dunson have not arrived yet on campus but are signed and will enroll in the coming months.

Ivey had three interceptions last season, finishing strong after a disaster of a game against Georgia Tech. Overall, though, he allowed 349 passing yards in the regular season — most among UM players — with 24 completions in 41 targets.

Blades held quarterbacks to a 28.8 passer rating in his coverage, among the best in the country.

Couch played more defensive snaps than Williams last season and finished the season a bit further along, though Williams was the more-ballyhooed high school prospect out of Alabama. Couch appears the best option to play in the slot, at least to start the season.

STRIKER

The hybrid safety/linebacker position that Diaz added to UM’s defense two years again was manned capably by Romeo Finley the past two seasons. But his eligibility is up, and Gilbert Frierson takes over after a strong bowl game that featured 15 tackles and an interception. UM believes he will be very good, but he allowed too many yards (135) on just five completions last season.

Keontra Smith, who moved over from safety, will provide competition.

The versatile Harrell also is a possibility in this spot when he arrives on campus.

We’ll preview UM’s offense later this week.

Here’s my Wednesday Dolphins piece with Tua Tagovailoa news.

Here’s my Wednesday piece with an Inter Miami assessment from ESPN’s lead MLS analyst.

And please check back late tonight for another Dolphins piece.