Miami football should look into Clemson transfer CB Derion Kendrick

The Miami football program should look into former Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick who entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. Kendrick who is from Rock Hill, South Carolina was not offered by Miami out of high school. The former five-star received 16 offers in the Class of 2018.

Kendrick would immediately become the top veteran player on the Miami football roster and give the Hurricanes an elite tandem at CB with recent Georgia transfer Tyrique Stevenson. Kendrick was named first-team All-ACC selection as a junior in 2020. In 39 career games with 21 starts, Kendrick played 1,354 snaps.

The Tigers played Kendrick at CB and wide receiver. Kendrick had 71 tackles, four tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, one sack,11 pass breakups, two fumbles recoveries and one forced fumble in his Tigers career. Kendrick added 15 receptions for 210 yards as a freshman in 2018.

There was some speculation that Kendrick would enter the NFL supplemental draft. Kendrick chose to return for another college season by entering the transfer portal. Mike Farrell of Rivals.Com does not have Miami as one of the four schools he projects to be interested in Kendrick.

"Potential landing spots: Georgia, Texas, Mississippi State, South CarolinaFarrell’s Take: Kendrick was a five-star wide receiver out of high school, but he turned into an elite cornerback at Clemson and should be an immediate starter someplace. He has something to prove and will have a chip on his shoulder. He has the size and athleticism to be a great one and has future first-round potential.With the multiple discipline issues at Clemson he’s a bit of a wildcard, but for a national contender or local school in need of a shutdown corner he’s worth the risk."

With head coach Manny Diaz resuming his responsibilities as defensive coordinator in 2021, adding Kendrick as a transfer can make Miami an elite defense. The Hurricanes led the nation in pass defense by over 10 yards per game in Diaz’s final season as defensive coordinator before being named head coach in December 2018.

Miami is strong at safety entering the 2021 season. The Hurricanes need improved play at CB. Adding Stevenson helps upgrade the Miami pass defense. An addition of Kendrick could elevate Miami to having to shutdown CBs with solid depth behind them in Al Blades Jr., D.J. Ivey and Te’Cory Couch.