Previewing the Miami Hurricanes’ safeties entering the 2023 season | Summer camp series
The Miami Hurricanes struggled in Year 1 under Mario Cristobal, going 5-7 and missing out on a bowl game. But newcomers and returning players could give Miami fans reasons for hope as the 2023 season gets closer.
Each week, we’ll take a look at Miami’s position groups and see where they stand as the college football season rapidly approaches.
Last week, we previewed Miami’s overhauled cornerbacks room. This week, we look at what may be the most promising position group on the roster: the Hurricanes’ safeties.
Who left
The Hurricanes lost several players from last year’s group of safeties via the transfer portal. The departing players were a mix of well-known players and reserves who did not see the field much in their Miami tenure.
Al Blades Jr., a veteran, jack-of-all-trades defensive back and UM legacy, transferred to Duke after five seasons with Miami. Last year, he played in eight games and started one while primarily playing safety. Blades had 11 tackles and one pass breakup in 138 defensive snaps, and he also contributed on special teams. Pro Football Focus gave Blades a 62 defensive grade.
Another part of Miami’s safety corps that left was Avantae Williams. A former four-star prospect, Williams played 131 defensive snaps and had nine tackles. Williams had 35.8 defensive grade. Williams transferred to Maryland.
The Hurricanes also lost Jalen Harrell and Keshawn Washington to the portal. Neither played a defensive snap last season. Harrell did not get on the field last season after playing just 17 total snaps in 2021 and 31 in 2020. He transferred to UMass.
Washington also did not play last year after playing 14 snaps in 2021 and 31 in 2020. He transferred to Garden City Community College in Kansas.
Who returns
Miami’s two essential safeties are back after strong sophomore seasons.
Kamren Kinchens broke out in 2022. The Miami Northwestern alum was named an All-American after tying for the national lead with six interceptions.
Kinchens also led Miami with 59 tackles and had six pass breakups and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus gave him a team-best 90 defensive grade, which ranked 14th in the nation among all defensive players with at least 500 snaps and best among all safeties. He also had a 90.7 coverage grade.
“He’s really intelligent,” defensive coordinator Lance Guidry said in March. “He’s real explosive at everything he does, and you can tell he’s kind of the bell-cow of the defense.”
Playing alongside Kinchens will be American Heritage alum James Williams, who had a solid season in his own right last year. He finished right behind Kinchens with 58 tackles, picking off one pass and breaking up six more.
Pro Football Focus gave Williams a 73.5 defensive grade and an 88.5 coverage grade last season.
Guidry, who spends much of his time in practice coaching safeties, said Williams will occasionally move into the defensive box to play outside linebacker. Williams said he was glad to accept the assignment.
“I just feel like I can do anything he asks me to do,” Williams said. “Whatever he wants. I’m willing to do it all, no matter what it is. I’m ready to help the team win and become a better defense in total.”
Behind Kinchens and Williams are several safeties who will likely see some time on the field this year: redshirt freshmen Markeith Williams and Jaden Harris and fourth-year redshirt sophomore Brian Balom.
The three players did not get much time on the field last year, combining for 48 defensive snaps. With Blades and Avantae Williams leaving, that playing time is up for grabs.
“Harris has had a really good camp so far,” Guidry said after the first week of fall practice. “He’s got a couple interceptions. He probably plays the ball the best. I think Markeith Williams probably knows the defense a little bit better than he does right now. But Harris has made a bunch of plays already, which is good to see.”
Who arrived
Although the Hurricanes lost four safeties in the offseason, they did not add many to replace them. Harris moved from cornerback to safety, and Miami signed freshman Kaleb Spencer.
Spencer, who is listed at 6-2 and 200 pounds, was rated a three-star prospect and the No. 673 player in the class.
“He’s a hitter,” Guidry said in March. “I watched his film coming out of high school. He does some good things. Whenever the ball’s in play, he plays a lot better. When you break it down into passing and more of the drill stuff, he struggles a little bit. But when the ball’s in play, he knows how to play football.
