The addition of Washington State transfer Ethan O'Connor gives Miami three of the top 13 cornerbacks in the 2025 transfer portal. It is clear that significantly upgrading their CBs was a priority for Miami in the transfer portal. Miami lost CBs D'Yoni Hill and Robby Washington to the 2024 transfer portal.
Charles Brantley, who committed to Miami last month, had 103 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions and 23 pass breakups over four seasons with Michigan State. Brantley played in and started in nine contests for Michigan State in 2024 after a season-ending injury in 2023, limiting him to three games.
In 2024, Brantley had 27 tackles, 1.5 TFL and seven pass breakups. According to Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U, Brantley "was targeted 38 times and allowed just 14 catches for just 149 yards with a long of 27 yards" in 2024. Brantley was the first of the three incoming Miami CBs and the ninth-ranked 2025 transfer at the position.
Elsewhere, Emmanuel Karnley provides Miami with excellent size at CB, as he checks in at 6-3. In 10 games in 2024, Karnley recorded 15 tackles and five passes defended. Pro Football Focus recorded Karnley with allowing "22 catches on 43 targets for 288 yards with four touchdowns allowed and five pass breakups."
Miami has added three of the top 13 cornerbacks in the transfer portal this winter, while also landing the No. 2 ranked safety. Total overhaul in the secondary. https://t.co/qVQfbZm6GJ
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) January 4, 2025
Miami Hurricanes fans are excited about Ethan O'Connor committing
After playing in only one game in 2023, O'Connor had 32 tackles, 1.0 TFL, four interceptions and 12 pass breakups for Washington State in 2024. O'Connor is ranked as the 126th transfer and 13th CB in the portal by 247Sports. O'Connor was a three-star prospect as a high school recruit and as a transfer.
According to Urrutia, O'Connor "was credited with a strong 80.1 coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed 32 catches on 62 targets (51.6 completion percentage) for 406 yards and three touchdowns." The CBs make up a third of the 2025 Miami transfer class.
Upgrading the depth at CB was critical for Miami entering 2025. O.J. Frederique returns after an exceptional freshman season in 2024. Miami finished 57th nationally in 2024, allowing 214.4 passing yards per game and 99th allowing opponents 43 completions of 20 or more yards. Cleaning up the pass defense is critical for Miami in 2025.