Miami Hurricanes 2021 defense will have familiar faces in new places
The spring is a time to make position changes and see how players perform in different situations throughout college football. The Miami Hurricanes made multiple position changes throughout the spring. Most of the Hurricanes’ position changes involve current or former defensive backs.
Head coach Manny Diaz told reporters this weekend during Paradise Camp that Keontra Smith moving from striker to weakside linebacker and Amari Carter from safety to striker are permanent. Carter might still work in the rotation at safety. Carter will be used at safety depending on how the depth looks at the position in August.
Safety should be one of the deepest positions on the Miami Hurricanes roster. Bubba Bolden and Gurvan Hall are projected to be the starting safeties. Brian Balom received significant playing time as a true freshman in 2020. Avantae Williams will make his debut after having to sit out his true freshman season last year.
Miami signed the top safety in the country for 2021, five-star James Williams and return 2020 signee Keshawn Washington. Gilbert Frierson was the starting striker for Miami last season. Frierson originally signed with Miami as a cornerback and was moved to striker when the position was created during spring practice in 2018.
I asked Manny Diaz if decisions have been made on positions for Keontra Smith and Amari Carter. Smith moves from striker to will linebacker.. Carter now a striker but could be used again at safety if needed
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) June 26, 2021
Miami also moved former safety Jalen Harrell to cornerback and took snaps at striker this spring. In addition to James Williams, Miami also signed four-star safety Kamren Kinchens in the Class of 2021. When you sign top two safties in back to back classes with Avantae and James Williams it is beneficial to get them on the field.
Diaz will find creative ways to get the talent he needs on the field. Bolden, Carter and Frierson were the top three tacklers for Miami in 2020. Carter moving closer to the line of scimmage should help him and potentially reduce the frequent targeting calls he was received throughout his college college.
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Finding a good rotation at LB is more critical for the Miami Hurricanes in 2021. Corey Flagg is projected to unseat 2020 starter Bradley Jennings Jr. as the middle LB. Jennings, Sam Brooks, Avery Huff, Smith and Tirek-Austin Cave will likely compete to be the other starting LB for Miami in 2021.