Offensive lineman Javion Cohen was named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Outland Trophy honoring the best lineman in college football and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy named safety Kamren Kinchens to its 2023 preseason watch list that honors the best defensive player in college football.
Javion Cohen transferred to Miami from Alabama during the 2023 offseason. Cohen started 24 games in three seasons at Alabama. In 2022 Cohen was named second-team All-SEC at guard. Cohen has two seasons of eligibility remaining. In 2021 Cohen started 14 games for Alabama as they won the SEC.
Cohen started 10 games for Alabama in 2022. Cohen primarily played left guard at Alabama. Miami is also expected to start Cohen at left guard. Cohen previously was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2020. Cohen and Central Florida transfer Matt Lee help provide Miami with experience on the 2023 offensive line.
Kamren Kinchens is entering his junior season at Miami after being named first-team All-ACC and an All-American in 2022. Kinchens 59 had tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 12 passes defended and six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Expect Kinchens to be named on more watch lists.
Kamren Kinchens has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist and Javion Cohen makes the list for the Outland Trophy. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/6QNLVy78se
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) August 1, 2023
Kinchens and classmate James Williams form the best-returning safety tandem in college football entering the 2023 season. Pro Football Focus graded Kinchens and Williams as the only safety duo inside the top 10 nationally. Kinchens and Williams will be expected to be leaders for Miami on defense in 2023.
Kinchens is the cornerstone of the Miami defense playing under new coordinator Lance Guidry in 2023. Guidry is the fourth defensive coordinator for Miami in as many seasons. Kinchens and the Miami secondary does have continuity with Jahmile Addae returning for his second season coaching Hurricanes’ defensive backs.
Expect more Miami players to be named to preseason watch lists. Among the players to watch are quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, center Matt Lee, defensive linemen Akheem Mesidor and Leonard Taylor and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa. Kinchens should be named preseason All-ACC later this week.