Miami losing hometown freshman to the transfer portal stings for multiple reasons

True freshman defensive back Amari Wallace, a Miami native and Class of 2025 four-star recruit, has entered the transfer portal.

Freshman DB Amari Wallace enters the transfer portal

Wallace went to Miami Central High School, which is one of the crown-jewel programs in the area. He was a three-year starter and helped them win two state championships.

As a sophomore at Miami Central, he posted 44 tackles, 10 pass breakups, two interceptions and blocked two punts. He posted 28 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble as a junior before an injury wiped out his senior year.

Wallace earned national recognition as a Navy All-American Bowl selection. Per 247Sports, he was the No. 23 safety and the No. 29 player in Florida for the Class of 2025.

Wallace did not log a stat in his true freshman campaign at Miami.

The Hurricanes' secondary is in flux

Miami has already welcomed in Boston College defensive back Omar Thornton out of the portal. In 2025, he totaled 82 tackles, including eight tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception. He also earned All-ACC honorable mention and was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week after a career-high 11 tackles at Michigan State.

DB Keionte Scott is going to the NFL and will hope to raise his draft stock. For Miami, that will be a big piece to replace for their defense.

Incoming transfers to Miami

• DL Jarquez Carter (Ohio State)
• WR Cam Vaughn (West Virginia)
• WR Vandrevius Jacobs (South Carolina)
• S Omar Thornton (Boston College)
• K Jake Weinberg (Florida State)
• K Jack Olsen (Northwestern)

Departures from Miami via the transfer portal

• DL Artavius Jones
• OL Deryc Plazz
• OL Nino Francavilla
• S Amari Wallace
• QB Emory Williams
• TE Brock Schott
• WR Chance Robinson
• DL Donta Simpson
• WR Ray Ray Joseph
• DL Daylen Russell
• WR Ny Carr
• S Markeith Williams