Miami Football: Cornerbacks performing at high level

Through the first four games of the 2023 season, the cornerbacks for the Miami football team are performing at a high level. Oklahoma transfer Jaden Davis and Darryl Porter Jr. replaced 2022 starters D.J. Ivey and Tyrique Stevenson. Slot CB Te’Cory Couch, Davis and Porter have performed at a high level in 2023.

Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Davis has allowed 11 completions in 19 attempts for 115 yards and a 75.5 passer rating against him this season. Porter Jr. has allowed five completions in 13 attempts for 40 yards with one interception and a 47 passer rating against him during the 2023 season.

Couch has allowed 15 completions in 22 attempts for 185 yards with two TDs, but has three interceptions for an 84.7 passer rating. Couch atoned after allowing a 46-yard completion on Saturday at Temple by recording an interception in the end zone on the same drive to end the Owls’ possession.

Miami scored on the next drive to extend its lead to 14-0. Couch added another interception in the fourth quarter. Couch is in a 16-way tie for the national lead with three interceptions this season. In his fifth season, Couch has played in 52 games for Miami with 26 starts including this year.

Jackson reported on the metrics for the other Miami CBs. Central Florida transfer Davonte Brown has allowed four completions on six attempts for 28 yards with a 77.1 passer rating. Freshman Damari Brown has allowed seven completions for 65 yards and a 65.8 passer rating.

Redshirt freshman Vanderbilt transfer Jadais Richard has allowed all four attempts against him to be completed for 67 yards. The Miami CBs have played better than expected, but need to improve its pass defense overall. Miami is 67th allowing 225.0 passing yards per game and still struggling allowing long completions.

A further look inside the pass defense for the Miami football team produces better numbers. Miami is 37th allowing opponents to complete 57.4 percent of their pass attempts, 36th with a 114.34 passer rating against, 45th with teams averaging 6.6 yards per attempt and 15th with only three passing TDs by opponents.