The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported on Tuesday that the Miami Hurricanes have had to shuffle some defensive backs around because of thin depth in the secondary.
Several Miami Hurricanes defensive backs have been moved around through the first two weeks of spring practice because of the lack of depth in the secondary. In 2018 then defensive coordinator Manny Diaz created the striker position for the Hurricanes because of a surplus at safety.
The losses of safeties Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine and cornerback Michael Jackson have thinned out the depth in the secondary. All three were seniors in 2018. Rising junior cornerback Trajan Bandy is the only returning starter at defensive back in 2019. A strong sophomore class will be expected to fill the voids.
Striker Romeo Finley and safety Amari Carter have received playing time at cornerback and safety this spring as Diaz and new co-defensive coordinator Blake Baker try to find the right combinations for the Miami Hurricanes on the back end of their defense. Rising junior Derrick Smith also figures to be part of the mix.
One safety spot is expected to go to USC transfer Bubba Bolden who will be a sophomore in 2019. Bolden was an elite talent coming out of high school. He was the 59th ranked player overall and seventh-ranked safety in the Class of 2017. Bolden has not enrolled at Miami yet which has contributed to the lack of depth.
Three freshmen that will arrive this summer could also challenge for playing time this fall. Cornerback Christian Williams and Te’Cory Crouch and safety Keontra Smith are all immense four-star talents. Without Bolden and the three freshmen, Baker has had to be creative this spring.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that safety Amari Carter has been used a slot corner when the Hurricanes are in the nickel defense and that Finley has moved from striker to safety in some third down situations. Baker discussed the modifications.
"“Amari is such a good dime [cornerback], such a good blitzer, has such a good feel for underneath coverage…That’s kind of how it’s evolved (Finley playing safety). It kind of came to fruition with a couple guys banged up.In our third-down package, we’re putting him at safety. He’s played that position before. But he’s doing some good things back there. Any time you get an opportunity, make the most of it. We’ll see what comes of it.”"
Carter played in 12 of the 13 Miami games in 2018. He started two when Johnson was out early in the season with an injury. After a very productive freshman season, Carter’s numbers regressed in 2018. Carter recorded 26 tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks in 2017. He had 12 tackles, two TFLs and three pass breakups in 2018.
Finley was Miami’s most improved player in 2018 after switching positions from safety to striker which was a new position on the Hurricanes defense. After making 14 tackles in 2016 and ’17 Finley had 28 tackles, five TFLs, two interceptions, one for a touchdown, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
With the uncertainty and inexperience that Miami has at safety, it would be wise to consider moving Finley back to safety to start alongside Bolden. Derrick Smith and Finley have far more experience than the other Hurricanes safeties on the roster.