Miami football building elite secondary
The Miami football team is building an elite secondary with the players they signed in the last three classes plus transfers. Miami signed cornerbacks, four-stars Chris Graves and Khamauri Rogers and three-star Jaden Harris plus four-star safety Markeith Williams in the Class of 2022 during Early Signing Day on Wednesday.
The Hurricanes signed six defensive backs in 2020. Avantae Williams who was the second-ranked safety in 2020 made an impact for Miami after defections and injuries decimated the position in 2021. Three-star safety Brian Balom showed promise for Miami in 2020. Balom incurred a season-ending injury in August.
Marcus Clarke was a three-star signee for Miami who was a wide receiver in high school. Clarke became a starter this season at CB and has recorded 24 tackles, one interception, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Miami also signed defensive backs Isaiah Dunson, Jalen Harrell and Keshawn Washington in 2020.
During the 2021 offseason, Miami added Tyrique Stevenson who became the Hurricanes best CB. Stevenson had 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, one interception and four pass breakups this season. The Georgia transfer is doubtful for the Sun Bowl with an injury. Stevenson is still deciding if he will return in 2022.
The 2021 signing class ranked 11th nationally. Kam Kinchens and James Williams have been impactful this season and ended 2021 as the starting safeties. Kinchens has 44 tackles, one tackle for loss, four pass breakups and one forced fumble that came against Alabama. James Williams was the top-ranked safety in 2021.
Williams had 31 tackles, 0.5 sacks, led Miami with two interceptions and had two pass breakups. In addition to the four signees in the Class of 2021, Miami is expected to sign Alabama transfer Marcus Banks. Banks had eight tackles and an interception in two seasons for Alabama. Banks as the 13th ranked CB in the Class of 2019.
If Stevenson returns and the Miami football program lands Banks, they will likely team with Clarke as the primary Hurricanes CBs in 2021. Kinchens, Avanatae and James Williams provide Miami with an elite safety corps. The return of Balom from injury provides depth. Miami can potentially have an elite secondary in 2022.
