Miami football has work to do for 2023 safety commitment

The recent commitments of 2023 safeties, five-star Joenel Aguero to Georgia and four-star Jayden Bonsu to Ohio State have put the Miami football program in a difficult position. Eight of the top 50 safeties are currently uncommitted. Miami is not being highly considered by any of the top uncommitted safeties per 247 Sports.

If Miami does not sign a safety in the Class of 2023 expect them to potentially add a safety through the transfer portal. Miami has been exceptional at developing the safeties they have signed in recent classes. Brian Balom, Kamren Kinchens, Avante Williams and James Williams have all been impactful safeties.

Balom returns after missing the entire 2021 season with an injury. Kinchens and the two Williams will compete to be the starting safeties for the Miami football team in 2022. Avantae Williams and James Williams were in the top two ranked safeties in their classes in 2020 and 2021. Balom signed in 2020 and Kinchens in 2021.

Bryce Thornton could be one prospect to track of the top 50 safeties. Thornton is the 443 ranked player, 43rd safety and 43rd prospect in Georgia in the Class of 2023 per On3. The recruitment of Thornton appears to be between Alabama, Florida, Miami and LSU per the On3 projections.

Florida has a 33.3 percent chance for a commitment from Thornton per On3, Alabama is at 20.9 percent, LSU ,14.4 and Miami12.0. Safety prospects could be deterred that the Miami football program is likely to return all of its safeties in 2023. Balom and Avantae Williams will be eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft but are likely to return.

Bonsu committing to Ohio State after trending to Miami earlier this summer was a tough recruiting loss for the Hurricanes. Miami defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae was the second highest-rated recruiter in the Class of 2022 with Georgia. Four-star commit Robert Stafford is the only cornerback in the 2023 Miami class.