Miami football safety Kamren Kinchens graded PFF 2022 top safety

Safety Kamren Kinchens was the only Miami football player ranked in the top 100 players in 2022 by Pro Football Focus. Kinchens finished in a tie for third nationally in interceptions and tied for the lead nationally among safeties and sophomores. Expect Kinchens to be a preseason All-American.

Kinchens will be among the favorites to be named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. In 2022 Kinchens earned first-team All-ACC and was named an All-American by multiple sites. ESPN named Kinchens to its “College football’s Way-Too-Early 2023 All-America team.” Kinchens will be a cornerstone of the 2023 Miami defense.

Kinchens improved throughout the 2022 season. The best game for Kinchens in 2022 was versus Georgia Tech. Kinchens finished with eight tackles, a half tackle for loss, four passes defended and three interceptions with one for a touchdown in week 10. Kinchens had his three best games of the season in the final three weeks.

A week after earning ACC Defensive Player of the Week versus Georgia Tech, Kinchens had 13 tackles, one TFL, one forced fumble and two passes defended in a loss to Clemson. Kinchens ended the season with seven tackles versus Pittsburgh. Kinchens had his three highest tackle totals in the final three games of 2022.

"32. S KAMREN KINCHENS, MIAMI HURRICANES“Kinchens was the FBS’ highest-graded safety this season (90.0), while his six interceptions were tied for the most among Power Five safeties. He did that as just a true sophomore.”"

Kinchens has far exceeded his recruiting ranking. When he signed with Miami in 2021, Kinchens was the 320th-ranked prospect, 21st safety and 48th player in the 247 Sports composite rankings. The projection on Kinchens as a 2021 signee was as a Power Five starter without mention of potential NFL Draft status.

The above grade from PFF is not surprising. If Kinchens has a 2023 season similar to how he played over the final three games in 2022 he has a chance to play himself into a second-day NFL Draft pick at least. At 5’11, 202 pounds, some NFL Draft analysts and scouts might scrutinize Kinchens as undersized at safety.

Kinchens has proven to be a playmaker. That’s critical for a safety. Kinchens has continually proven his ability as a playmaker, particularly in the last three games in 2023. Kinchens should continue his ascension in 2023. The Miami football team should have one of the best safety pairs nationally in 2023 with Kinchens and James Williams.