Miami Hurricanes CB Davonte Brown more-important-than-you-think ACC transfers

Miami Hurricanes cornerback Davante Brown has been named by Mike Huguenin of On3 as part of his “Transfer portal breakdown: 10 more-important-than-you-think ACC transfers.” Brown is expected to start in a Miami secondary that lost starting CBs D.J. Ivey and Tyrique Stevenson after the 2022 season.

Per David Lake of Inside the U, Pro Football Focus “credited (Brown) with being targeted 50 times and allowing 24 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns.” PFF recorded Brown will having eight missed tackles per Lake. Brown had six missed tackles in the final four 2022 games versus, Tulane twice, Navy and South Florida.

Brown played well versus Power Five opponents for UCF. PFF recorded Brown with allowing seven receptions for 133 yards and no touchdowns on 16 targets against Louisville twice, Florida and Georiga Tech in the last two seasons per Lake. Lake also noted with 1,885 defensive snaps Brown becomes the most experienced Miami CB.

The Miami Hurricanes need Brown to make an impact in the secondary. The Hurricanes were 72nd allowing 239.1 passing yards per game. Miami was particularly atrocious allowing long pass plays. The Hurricanes were 131st and last nationally allowing 10 completions of 50 or more yards in 2022.

"Miami CB Davonte Brown: Transfer from: UCFThe buzz: Davonte Brown (6-2, 185) was a two-year starter for UCF and may have been the Knights’ best defensive back in 2022. Brown had 30 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups in ’22 and would’ve been a key figure in the secondary as UCF moves to the Big 12 in 2023.Instead, he’ll be playing a big role for a Miami secondary that struggled for most of 2022. The Hurricanes lost both starting corners from 2022. That means there is ample opportunity for Brown, who played his high school ball at powerhouse Plantation (Fla.) America Heritage, about 35 miles north of UM’s Coral Gables campus.”"

Brown is expected to start with Miami returning CBs Te’Cory Couch and Darryl Porter Jr. Porter transferred to Miami from West Virginia during the 2022 offseason. Brown will reunite with his brother Damari who signed with the Miami Hurricanes in the 2023 class. Damari should challenge for snaps in 2023.

Brown has two seasons of eligibility remaining. That will significantly help a Miami Hurricanes secondary that lost eight defensive backs after the 2022 season. Miami signed Damari Brown and Robert Stafford at CB in the 2023 class plus DB Antione Jackson who can play both spots in the secondary.