Miami Hurricanes safety Kamren Kinchens was named a Preseason All-American by ESPN on Monday. Kinchens is coming off a season where he was named First Team All-American by the Associated Press and the Sporting News. Kinchens has received multiple accolades entering the 2023 season.
On Monday, Kinchens and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor were named to the Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List honoring the defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club. Kinchens was named to several other 2023 preseason All-American teams. Kinchens was also selected to the Thorpe Award watch list.
Kamren Kinchens will anchor the Miami defense under new coordinator Lance Guidry. Miami will have a new look at cornerback and linebacker in 2023. The return of Kinchens will help Guidry and Miami have continuity entering the 2023 season. Miami also returns James Williams as safety next to Kinchens.
Defensive end Jared Verse of Florida State and LB Barrett Carter from Clemson are the only other players named to the ESPN preseason All-American team. Chris Low wrote the summary of the ESPN All-American team that was “based on consultation with college coaches, NFL scouts and colleagues who cover the sport.”
"S: Kamren Kinchens, Miami“Paired with former five-star recruit James Williams, Kinchens gives the Hurricanes one of the more talented safety tandems in the country. Miami limped to a 5-7 finish in Mario Cristobal’s first season as coach, but Kinchens was a star.He tied for first among Power 5 players with six interceptions, returning one of those 99 yards for a touchdown, and also led the team with 59 tackles. Kinchens has good size (205 pounds) and instincts and will be one of the more complete defensive backs in college football this season.”"
Kinchens became an All-American last season on a very inconsistent defense. If the Miami defense can improve significantly in 2023, Kinchens will have an excellent chance to become the 12th two-time All-American for Miami. Taylor and Williams have also been mentioned as potential 2023 All-American candidates.
Kinchens was named a first-team preseason All-American by The Athletic on Monday and Taylor was named to their second team. Kinchens tied for fifth on the Preseason All-ACC team and was third on the defense with 117 votes. Expect Kinchens to receive more accolades before Miami begins its season on September 1.