Miami football 2024 commit Zaquan Patterson expected having instant impact

Five-star safety Zaquan Patterson, a 2024 commit to the Miami football program is projected to have an immediate impact for the Hurricanes per John Garcia Jr., the Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst. Patterson is the 14th-ranked player, fourth prospect in Florida and second safety nationally per Rivals.

Patterson is the second highest-rated commit in the 2024 Miami class and top defensive prospect according to the Rivals rankings. The possibility of current starting safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams leaving for the NFL after the 2023 season would create an opportunity for Patterson to have significant snaps in 2024.

Kinchens started most of his true freshman season in 2021. Williams also played significant snaps as a true freshman in 2021. Patterson is one of four projected safeties in the 2024 Miami football class. Miami also has commitments from four-star safety Isaiah Thomas and three stars Dylan Day and Ryan Mack.

Including five games in 2023, Patterson has 173 tackles, four tackles for loss, five sacks, seven interceptions, 12 passes defended, one fumble recovery, seven blocked punts and two blocked field goals over the last three seasons according to Max Preps. Patterson also has three receptions 121 yards and a touchdown in 2023.

"“A three-phase player who flashes well in each of them. Patterson also brings a physical presence to special teams and the secondary, where he is projected to play at the next level, at 6-foot-1 and north of 200 pounds with the type of pop at the contact point to back it up.Throw in legitimate football instincts and an IQ that will allow for him to play any safety spot and dabble in a nickel-type role, and he’ll find his way onto the field. Patterson’s path to playing time could become even more apparent depending on the lack of depth… (a) major area of concern for UM in the.At a minimum, the freshman-to-be can work toward becoming a special teams ace, though the other end of the spectrum and freshman accolades in the secondary wouldn’t be a surprise next year.”"

The lack of depth at safety for the Miami football program is concerning. If Kinchens and Williams declare for the 2024 NFL Draft as many analysts expect them to do Miami would only have three returning safeties currently on the roster. Behind Kinchens and Williams are Brian Balom, Jaden Harris and Markeith Williams.

Davis has started the last two games against Bethune-Cookman and Temple with Kinchens out injured. Balom entered the transfer portal at the end of last season and has played only 22 snaps in 2023. Williams has played 40 snaps in 2023. Mario Cristobal could use the transfer portal to add depth and experience at safety in 2024.

Cristobal has shown a willingness to play freshmen. Miami leads the ACC in true freshman snaps this season. Pro Football Focus grades Rueben Bain as the best true freshman defensive lineman nationally. Expect Cristobal to continue to play true freshmen until he completely turns the roster over to reflect the culture he wants.