Mario Cristobal has made length a priority through the transfer portal at cornerback for 2025. All three incoming Miami Hurricanes transfer cornerbacks are at least 6-0. Arizona transfer Emmanuel Karnley is 6-3, Ethan O'Connor from Washington State is 6-1 and Michigan State transfer Charles Brantley is 6-0.
Miami has also been projected to land Wisconsin transfer CB Xavier Lucas, who is 6-2. The Hurricanes have significantly overhauled their secondary for 2025. Miami lost four CBs to the 2025 transfer portal. That includes D'Yoni Hill who transferred to Wisconsin after playing 375 snaps for Miami in 2024.
Karney had 15 tackles and five passes defended in 10 games this season and 22 catches on 43 targets for 288 yards with four touchdowns allowed and five pass breakups per Pro Football Focus via Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U. Karnley should compete to be a starter for Miami in 2025.
Miami has added plenty of top CB talent through the portal this offseason
O'Connor had 32 tackles, 1.0 TFL, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups for Washington State in 2024. Urrutia noted O'Connor received an 80.1 coverage grade from PFF and allowed 32 receptions on 62 targets for 406 yards and three touchdowns.
If Lucas gets released and comes to Miami that'll be what 3 6'1 or taller CBs? Yeah Mario pissed off 🤣🤣
— Marquis Jackson (@Editzbyquis_) January 4, 2025
Brantley had 103 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions and 23 pass breakups during his four seasons with Michigan State. Brantley was a three-year starter at Michigan State, who played 1,464 snaps with the Spartans. In 2024, Brantley did not allow a TD in coverage, while returning an interception 100 yards for a TD.
The additions of Brantley, Karnley and O'Connor significantly upgrade Miami at CB. If Lucas transfers to Miami as projected, Miami would have one of the deepest CBs units nationally with 2024 freshman All-American O.J. Frederique returning. Cristobal has accomplished flipping the CB room without currently having a defensive coordinator.