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How Miami’s Ahmad Moten Sr. got in shape, primed himself for big 2026 season
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- How Miami’s Ahmad Moten Sr. got in shape, primed himself for big 2026 season
CORAL GABLES — Mark Fletcher Jr. and Ahmad Moten Sr. used to be rivals.
Fletcher was the star running back for Plantation powerhouse American Heritage. Moten was a key defender for Fort Lauderdale 's Cardinal Gibbons. Before they both moved down the highway to Coral Gables, their high school teams' rivalry matchup was a crucial part of their seasons.
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"(There) was a play when we played him, and I had run a stretch to the outside, and Moten had jumped on my ankle," Fletcher said. "And I'll never forget that day. My ankle was hurting so bad."
Now teammates at Miami, Fletcher gets to go against the former Cardinal Gibbons defensive tackle in practice daily. He has not gotten any easier to run against.
"No running back wants to see that," Fletcher said of the defensive tackle duo of Moten and Justin Scott . "So I'll be telling (the offensive line), 'Bro, get on them. Come on, get them out (of) my way."
Moten is poised to have a big season in the middle of the Hurricanes' defensive line. The veteran defender became a full-time starter in 2025 and proved to be a key part of the Miami defense. As he enters his senior campaign, Moten is part of the backbone of UM's defense, and he is generating NFL draft buzz.
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"The sky's the limit — any award or accolade that's out there for a D-lineman, he has the ability to do it," defensive line coach Jason Taylor said in March.
Moten, who was picked for the All-ACC preseason team , missed spring football as he recovered from an injury he sustained during the 2025 season. Sitting out while the rest of the team prepared for a new season was tough for him.
"It was like a bittersweet moment," Moten said. "We lost in the natty. I couldn't go right back out there. But it's OK. I got to see like what type of group we had, what type of guys we had."
Now the veteran tackle says he is fully healthy and ready to build upon his strong 2025 campaign. Last year, he had 31 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus gave him a 77.6 defensive grade, which was seventh among ACC defensive tackles with 200 or more snaps.
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Part of Moten's development has involved changing his body shape during his five years at Miami. He said he arrived at Miami weighing 330 pounds. Now he weighs around 295 pounds, and he has cut his body fat percentage by more than 5 percent.
I just started being a pro," Moten said. "I had a child, so I know I had to lock in — not just on the field, but off the field: going to bed early, taking the right supplements, eating good, eating clean. You don't have to eat chicken wings every day. Eat a salad sometimes. You know, like, stuff like that. Stop eating after 8 o'clock. It really helped me."
Moten is not just a big part of the Hurricanes' defense. He has taken the younger defensive linemen under his wing, helping them grow.
"I came in very young, and he was one of the older guys that was here," junior Armondo Blount said. "So Ahmad would tell me how to keep my head on straight and how to just work hard and like help me with plays."
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Scott, who is Moten's primary partner at defensive tackle, said he and the veteran push each other when they line up next to each other.
"We battle," Scott said. "We try to race to see who's going to get a sack (or a tackle for loss)."
