Miami football safeties 12th most talented position group nationally

The safety tandem of Kamren Kinchens and James Williams has the Miami football team ranked 12th nationally among all position groups by 247 Sports. Brad Crawford of 247 Sports posted on Thursday “College football’s dandy dozen: 2023’s most talented position groups, ranked.” Kinchens was a 2022 All-American.

Kinchens had a dominant 2022 season with 59 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 12 passes defended and six interceptions and one that was returned for a touchdown in 2022. Williams had 58 tackles, one TFL, one forced fumble, seven pass breakups and one interception in 2022.

The Miami football team will need big seasons from Kinchens and Williams in 2022. Brian Balom who is returning after missing the entire 2022 season with an injury and Markeith Williams are the projected primary backups at safety in 2023. There is not much depth for Miami at safety on the 2023 roster.

Clemson’s talent at linebacker is the only other position group in the ACC ranked in the top 12 nationally by Crawford and 247 Sports. Miami is expected to have a vastly improved offensive line in 2023. The Miami OL has a chance to be among the best nationally and among all position groups.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1626380154451955714?s=20

"12. MIAMI’S GO-TO PAIRING AT SAFETYWho to watch: Kamren Kinchens, James Williams“This is arguably the Hurricanes’ most-talented duo at the back end since the early 2000s when you consider the productivity and overall reliability of Kinchens and Williams. Kinchens’ six interceptions last season tied for the most in the Power Five ranks and he’s one of college football’s most fearless players at the point of contact.Williams towers over most of the players he covers in centerfield at 6-foot-5 and has elite instincts. Per PFF, Kinchens and Williams managed 89.6 coverage grades over the past two seasons, tied for the nation’s best.”"

Miami had legendary safeties like Ed Reed and Sean Taylor in the early 2000s on dominant teams. Kinchens, Williams and the rest of the Miami secondary need to improve in 2023 under new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. Miami had too many breakdowns on the back end that led to big plays in 2022.

The high football IQ for Kinchens and the size of Williams make them a productive and talented duo. With an almost entirely new cornerback rotation, Kinchens and Williams become more critical for Miami on the back end in 2023. With Guidry a former safeties coach, Kinchens and Williams can improve in 2023.