Safety Kamren Kinchens will be chasing greatness in 2023. Kinchens has a chance to become only the 10th Miami football player to earn All-American in multiple seasons. Defensive lineman Ted Hendricks and safeties Bennie Blades and Ed Reed are the only multiple-year consensus All-Americans in Miami history.
Hendricks was an All-American in 1967 and 1968 and has been inducted into the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Blades earned All-American in 1986 and 1987 and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. Reed was an All-American in 2000 and 2001 and also in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Offensive tackles Bryant McKinney (2000-01) and Joaquin Gonzalez (2000-2001), linebacker Darrin Smith (1991-92) middle guard Tony Cristiani (1972-73), quarterback George Mira Sr. (1962-63) and wide receiver Bill Miller (1960-61) also earned All-American status in multiple seasons.
Kinchens had 59 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 12 passes defended and six interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown in 2022. The Associated Press and The Sporting News named Kinchens a 2022 First Team All-American and he earned 2022 First-Team All-ACC per his Miami Hurricanes.Com page.
Kinchens is the first Miami football player to be named an All-American since kicker Jose Borregales and defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips in 2020. Defensive backs Kelly Jennings and Brandon Meriweather and offensive tackle Eric Winston were the last Miami All-Americans prior to Borreagales and Phillips.
Being mentioned among the same accomplishments as these 10 Miami legends, particularly Blades and Reed would place Kinchens among the greatest Hurricanes in history. Not all of the multi-year Miami All-Americans have played on great teams. Leading the Miami defense to a great season will help Kinchens’ legacy.
Another season with six interceptions would place Kinchens eighth all-time in Miami history. The six INTs that Kinchens had in 2022 placed him just outside the top 10 in program history. Kinchens is 38th on the Consensus NFL Mock Draft Big Board. Another season like 2022 and Kinchens should push into the first round.