Three Miami football players named 2023 top 100 nationally

Miami football defensive linemen Akheem Mesidor and Leonard Taylor and safety Kamren Kinchens have been named in the top 100 2023 players nationally by On3. Kinchens, Mesidor and Taylor will anchor the Miami defense that has new coordinator Lance Guidry calling the plays in 2023.

Kinchens is ranked the 29th-best player nationally, Taylor is 37th and Mesidor 89th. Charles Power of On3 said, “Kamren Kinchens is a highly instinctive, heady safety who is the key driver behind Miami’s defense.” Kinchens was a first-team All-ACC and an All-American in 2022.

Playing on a defense that allowed a lot of big plays, Kinchens was one of the few positives during a 5-7 season. Kinchens recorded 59 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 12 passes defended, one forced fumble and tied for third nationally with six interceptions. Kinchens will be a cornerstone of the 2023 Miami defense.

Taylor arguably has the highest upside on the Miami football roster. Pro Football Focus named Taylor the fifth-best returning interior DL for 2023. PFF projects that Taylor has the potential to be the top defensive tackle selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Taylor has 45 tackles, 19.0 TFLs and 5.0 sacks in two seasons with Miami.

https://twitter.com/CanesFootball/status/1658204719700140032?s=20

Mesidor was named 2022 second-team All-ACC by PFF. In his first season with Miami Mesidor had 38 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, four passes defended and one forced fumble. Mesidor is a valuable player on the Miami DL with the ability to play defensive end and tackle. Mesidor transferred from West Virginia in 2022.

Miami safety James Williams will have a chance to crack the top 100 players in 2023. Kinchens is rated the second-best returning safety in 2023 by PFF and Williams is first. Kinchens and Williams should provide Miami with the best safety tandem in college football this fall. Miami will have a good corps defensively in 2023.

Middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa who transferred from Washington State will anchor the middle of the Miami defense. With the talent returning for Miami defensively in 2023 and new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, Miami should be significantly improved on that side of the ball.

Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is the only offensive player Miami has that appears to have a chance to break into the top 100 players nationally. Van Dyke was definitely a top 100 player in the country in 2021. Under new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson expect Van Dyke to return to his 2021 form.