Inconsistency in the secondary was a significant problem for Miami in 2024. ESPN named the Miami secondary as an X-factor entering the 2025 season. Mario Cristobal made the secondary a priority during the 2025 offseason with coaching and personnel changes.
Cristobal replaced defensive coordinator Lance Guidry with Corey Hetherman from Minnesota and hired Zac Etheridge as the defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach and Will Harris as the safeties coach. Before Hetherman, Etheridge and Harris were hired, Cristobal made the secondary a priority in the transfer portal.
Miami added Charles Brantley from Michigan State, Xavier Lucas from Wisconsin and Ethan 'O'Connor from Washington State and Kelonte Scott from Houston and safeties Zechariah Poyser from Jacksonville State and Jakobe Thomas from Tennessee as transfers to nearly completely rebuild the secondary.
OJ Frederique Jr., who was a 2024 Freshman All-American, redshirt sophomore Damari Brown and redshirt junior safety Markeith Williams are the only returning defensive backs for Miami returning to the Hurricanes in 2025. Building chemistry in the secondary will be critical.
"Headed into last season, the X factor for Miami was a thin secondary...Now, that group should be considered a strength -- and the X factor again. If this unit plays the way it is projected to, the Hurricanes will have fixed the biggest issue on their team from a year ago. Miami brought in highly touted transfers...signed several freshmen and others through the portal to build depth. Without question, Miami is far more talented at this position, and that could be the difference between playing for a championship."Andrea Adelson, ESPN
Miami was 57th nationally in 2024, allowing 214.4 passing yards per game. Those numbers were worse than they appear. The Hurricanes allowed over 300 passing yards four times in 2024 and 270 or more in six games. In two games versus ranked opponents, Miami allowed an average of 325.0 passing yards.
The top priority for Hethernan, Etheridge and Harris in 2025 is to fix the pass defense. Minnesota tied with Indiana and Western Kentucky for ninth nationally in 2024, allowing 176.1 passing yards per game. Led by Etheridge coaching the DBs, Houston was 28th in 2024, allowing 188.8 passing YPG.
Miami will be tested early. Notre Dame is at Hard Rock Stadium in the season opener on Sunday August 31 and Miami hosts Florida on September 20. Notre Dame will have a QB battle in training camp and Florida returns sophomore QB D.J. Lagway, a longshot Heisman Trophy candidate.
Miami also hosts Syracuse on November 8. Syracuse had 380 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in 2024 in a 42-38 win over Miami. Adelson said about the Miami secondary, "that unit ended up having a role in costing the Hurricanes a spot in the ACC championship game."