Miami Football Depth Chart: Rebuilt Cornerback Room

Dec 29, 2020; Orlando, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2020; Orlando, FL, USA; Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami football program has nearly completely rebuilt the cornerbacks on the depth chart entering the 2023 season. Te’Cory Couch is the most prominent CB returning on the Miami roster that received significant playing time in 2023. Darryl Porter Jr. also returns at CB after playing in nine games for Miami in 2022.

Miami added Davonte Brown from Central Florida, Jaden Davis from Oklahoma and Jaidus Richard Vanderbilt as transfers to the 2023 roster. Freshmen Damari Brown and Robert Stafford also join the Miami football roster in 2023. The competition has reportedly been fierce for Miami at CB during training camp.

Couch and Davis are the projected nickelbacks. Davis is expected to be the starter with Couch receiving significant playing time. Couch and Davis provide Miami with more depth in the slot than they had in 2022. Miami has more depth at CB entering the 2023 season overall than in 2022.

Damari and Davonte Brown and Richard provide Miami with excellent length at outside CB. The Browns are 6’2 and Richard is 6’1. Junior college transfer Demetrius Freeney is expected to add depth and provide decent size at 6’0. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald quoted a Miami defensive staffer discussing the CBs.

"“(Davonte Brown) has good makeup speed. He’s fast. He’s going to help us. And there’s more depth in the secondary. Jaden Davis has made some plays, and you have Te’Cory Couch there too [in the slot]. Before, when guys went out, there was a drop-off. This year, there’s not a huge drop-off.Jadais Richard made a lot of plays the first two weeks of camp. They can plug him in at multiple spots. Has good size.”"

Jackson quoted new Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry that the Browns, Davis, Porter and Richard will all play. Guidry stated the players who are the most productive will earn the most playing time. Miami has cross trained its CBs during training camp. That will allow Guidry to utilize multiple looks defensively.

Miami football depth chart: greatly improved LB corps. dark. Next

Guidry said earlier this week that matchups will also dictate who plays at CB. If an opponent has bigger receivers, Miami would use taller CBs. Couch and Davis are the lone Miami seniors at CB on the 2023 roster. With the depth and experience Miami has in 2023, CB is a position that should be strong for a few years.