Miami Football moving Jalen Harrell to cornerback helps depth
After a report that Jalen Harrell was moving to striker two reports on Saturday confirmed the freshman will switch to cornerback for the Miami football team in 2021. Harrell moving to CB greatly helps the Miami depth at the position. In five games in 2020, Harrell recorded one tackle playing primarily on special teams.
The position switch for Harrell makes sense with the Miami football roster extremely deep at safety and thin at CB. Harrell projects as the eighth scholarship CB for Miami. That includes 2021 signee Malik Curtis who played primarily on offense in high school. Miami has five returning CBs for the 2021 season.
Juniors Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey, sophomore Te’Cory Couch, and freshmen Marcus Clarke and Isaiah Dunson return in 2021. In addition Curtis, Miami signed Georgia transfer Tyrique Stevenson who is the highest rated CB on the roster and projected to start. Harrell signed with Miami in 2020 as the nation’s 23rd ranked safety.
Miami returns Bubba Bolden, Amari Carter and Gurvan Hall who received the majority of snaps at safety in 2020. Brian Balom played well last season in relief of those three as a freshman. The Hurricanes also return Keshawn Washington and signed five-star James Williams and four-star Kamren Kinchens in the 2021 Class.
Miami also learned over the weekend that 2020 signee Avantae Williams who was the second-ranked safety in his Class has been cleared to play in 2021. Williams missed the 2020 season due to an unspecified medical issue. Williams will have to get back into football shape and faces a tough challenge for snaps in 2021.
The move for Harrell from safety to CB should allow him a better chance for snaps. It was previously reported earlier this week by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that Harrell could move to striker. The ability to play multiple positions will only help the multiple and versatile offenses in modern football.
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At 6’2, 200 pounds, Harrell also provides Miami with a taller and bigger CB. Blades, Dunson and Ivey were the biggest CBs for the Hurricanes in 2020 at 6’1. Harrell will be working with two new position coaches. Travaris Robinson was hired in January as the defensive backs coach and De Marcus Van Dyke was promoted to CB coach.