Kamren Kinchens has learned lessons from Miami football legends

Appearing at ACC Kickoff safety Kamren Kinchens was asked “What type of pressure is that for you being the guy on defense to help implement into your — the style of play and to get Miami back to what they need to be?” Kinchens was the first All-American defensive back from the Miami football program since 2004.

Antrel Rolle was the last Miami defensive back to be named an All-American. Kinchens was a four-star signee with Miami in 2021. Through his first two seasons, Kinchens has 103 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 12 passes defended, six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

Kinchens is aware of the legacy of the players before him at Miami. As a true freshman in 2021, Kinchens played in all 12 games while starting in the final five contests. Kinchens started all 12 games in 2022 while becoming the team leader. Kinchens is showing he is a willing learner from the Miami Legends.

Kinchens has been lauded for his hard work. It is clear that Kinchens has learned from the elite Miami players of the past the hard work it takes to be successful. Head coach Mario Cristobal played with and coached multiple Miami football legends. Kinchens has already put his name in the rafters of the Soffer Indoor Practice Facility.

"“Of course, taking our lessons from those guys. They always try to come back and give us notes on how to be great. I think the biggest thing is just the physicality and, of course, the playbook, knowing it in and out. I think it’s everything, just being in the film room and being a student of the game.For the most part, those guys wasn’t just waking up and becoming that. So it’s always about something they was doing extra and that’s all they try to instill in us and Coach Cristobal too. He always mentions those guys like Dan Morgan, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor. Sean Taylor put in a lot of work, but he was just different.The thing is, just being a film junkie. That’s what I’m trying to instill in my game now. Just making sure I can get better at any aspect of the game.”"

Cristobal was a graduate assistant with the Miami football program from 1998–2000 when Morgan and Reed were on the roster. Taylor signed with Miami in 2001, one year after Cristobal to become an assistant coach at Rutgers. Kinchens was able to learn from Reed who was the Miami Chief of Staff in the last two seasons.

Kinchens is putting in the work off the field to become a better player. Miami could have the best safety tandem in the country this season with Kinchens and James Williams. Kinchens will have his third defensive coordinator in as many years with Miami. Lance Guidry was hired as the new Miami OC during the offseason.

Kinchens will have stability for the first time in his Miami football career with secondary coach Jahmile Addae returning for his second straight season. Expect Kinchens to remain humble and continue to work hard with the potential of becoming the best safety in college football in 2023.