PFF names Kamren Kinchens Way Too Early All-American

Miami rising junior safety Kamren Kinchens was named by Pro Football Focus to its “College football’s way-too-early 2023 All-America team.” Kinchens was named to several All-American teams in 2022. New defensive coordinator Lance Guidry will expect Kinchens to be a cornerstone of the 2023 Miami defense.

Kamren Kinchens had 59 tackles,1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 12 passes defended and six interceptions with one returned for a touchdown. Miami needs to improve significantly on the backend of its defense in 2023 after allowing 10 pass plays of 50 or more yards which was the worst nationally in 2022.

Kamren Kinchens and James Williams provide Miami with the best returning safety tandem in the country entering the 2023 season. In the rebuilt Miami defense and playing in a new system, the Hurricanes will need Kinchens and Williams to become leaders entering the 2023 college football season.

Kinchens was an excellent all-around safety for the Miami football team in 2023. The six interceptions by Kinchens tied for third nationally and led the ACC in 2023. Kinchens and Williams were named by Pro Football Focus as two of its top four returning safeties entering the 2023 college football season.

"SAFETY: KAMREN KINCHENS, MIAMI (FL) HURRICANESKinchens broke out as a sophomore on his way to becoming a second-team All-American for PFF. He led all safeties in the country with a 90.0 grade and a 90.7 coverage grade. Kinchens’ six interceptions were also tied for the most in the Power Five."

After the 2022 breakout season, Kinchens can elevate to another level in 2023. Expect a far more diverse defense called by Guidry in 2023. Kinchens and Williams will likely line up in far more different spots in 2023 than they were in 2022 under previous Miami defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

Teams will also be more aware of the playmaking abilities of Kinchens in 2023 and the game plan around him. Guidry likes to do a lot of disguising what he does defensively. That could help Kinchens. Entering his junior season, with another big year, Kinchens will further get the attention of NFL Scouts.