Miami Hurricanes safeties Kam Kinchens and James Williams true freshmen All-Americans

Miami Hurricanes safeties Kam Kinchens and James Williams have been named midseason true freshmen All-Americans by 247 sports. Kinchens earned significant playing time in the season-opening loss to Alabama. Williams has slowly emerged as has started the last three games. Both have shown promise this season.

Kinchens is eighth on Miami with 16 tackles, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. Williams is is 12th on Miami with 12 tackles, tied for the team lead with one interception and also has one pass breakup. Kinchens and Williams have earned their positions ahead of veterans like Gurvan Hall.

Hall is second on the Miami Hurricanes with 29 tackles and has one pass breakup despite currently being the backup to Williams. Williams has 11 tackles, his interception and pass breakup as a starter. Kinchens impressed immediately with seven tackles and a forced fumble in the season opener against Alabama.

In his best game since the opener, Kinchens had six tackles last weekend against North Carolina. Kinchens is not likely to pass Bubba Bolden on the depth chart, but he and Williams have been the second and third safeties for Miami ahead of Hall recently. Cooper Petagna of 247 Sports summarized Kinchens and Williams.

"“Down in Miami (FL), Manny Diaz and company can relate (to Clemson’s rough season). After a slow start to the season the Hurricanes have appeared to take the training wheels off a few highly touted freshmen in James Williams (No. 15 in 247Sports Composite) and Kamren Kinchens (No. 330 in 247Sports Composite).Both have seen a significant rise in snaps over the past three weeks. Look for their snap counts to increase as the season progresses.”"

Kinchens and Williams are part of a youth movement on the Miami defense. The Hurricanes returned nine starters on defense, but their poor play has necessitated Diaz making changes in playing time. Five freshmen in eligibility are listed as first-team for Miami against North Carolina State on Saturday.

Redshirt freshman defensive end Jahfari Harvey, second-year freshman linebacker Corey Flagg and Williams are listed as sole starters for Miami against the Wolfpack. Redshirt defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte and second-year freshman Marcus Clarke are listed as co-starters at their position with other players.

Kinchens and Williams lead a bright future for Miami, particularly at safety. Second-year freshman safety Avantae Williams is expected to make his college debut against North Carolina State. Avantae Williams missed his entire true freshman year because of a medical condition and was suspended the first six games of 2021.