Maturation of the Secondary
Starting Cornerback Trajan Bandy and backup safety Robert Knowles are the only departures from the Miami secondary. Miami also loses starting striker Romeo Finley. Safety Gurvan Hall leads a group of returns that played well at times in 2019 and lapsed at others. The Miami defensive backs will be more mature in 2020.
In addition to Hall, who was the second-leading tackler in 2019, the Miami football team has a deep group at safety. Redshirt junior Bubba Bolden should be available the entire season after missing the beginning of last year after transferring from USC and was lost for the season with an ankle injury suffered against Florida State.
Senior Amari Carter is a vicious hitter and would seem like a great candidate to battle with sophomore Keontra Smith and junior Gilbert Frierson at striker. Otherwise, Carter will be in the rotation at safety with Hall and Bolden. The Miami rotation at CB will begin with juniors Al Blades Jr. and D.J. Ivey.
Blades and Ivey will be pushed for playing time and for a spot on the first team sophomores Christian Williams and Te’Cory Couch. Couch has excellent cover skills, but at 5’10, 162 pounds is a bit undersized. Blades, Ivey and Williams all give Miami excellent length at 6’1. Freshman Isaiah Dunson could challenge for playing time.