Miami football moving Keontra Smith to striker helps overall depth

With far greater depth at safety than striker, the potential of the Miami football program moving rising sophomore Keontra Smith during spring practice seems increasingly likely.

Keontra Smith recorded two tackles for the Miami football team in 2019 playing primarily on special teams. The Hurricanes have far greater depth at safety than they do at striker entering the 2020 season. Smith could be headed for a position change as spring practice begins for Miami on February 29.

Gilbert Frierson enters the 2020 Miami football season projected to be the starting striker. Frierson was the primary backup to Romeo Finley at striker last season. Redshirt freshman walk-on Ryan Ragone recorded eight tackles, two tackles for loss and one pass breakup playing striker and linebacker in 2019.

Rising junior Gurvan Hall started 11 games at safety for Miami in 2019. Hall finished with 66 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, two sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. Rising senior Amari Carter started five games opposite Hall at the other safety position in 2019. Carter had 37 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and one sack.

Bubba Bolden had an injury-plagued first season for the Miami football team in 2020. Bolden finished with 11 tackles and one interception. Bolden suffered a season-ending ankle injury celebrating his interception against Florida State. Smith would have a tough battle to receive playing time at safety.

With Hall, Bolden and Carter returning for Miami and four safeties signed in the Category ’20 class moving Smith to striker greatly helps the depth at the position for the upcoming season. Carter could potentially be another player to watch this spring or in training camp this summer who could potentially be moved to striker.

The speculation of Smith moving from safety to striker has come from a few media outlets that include the Through the Smoke podcast on Inside the U. If Smith does move to striker, expect four-star freshmen Avantae Williams or Keshawn Washington to emerge as the fourth safety in the Hurricanes rotation.