![Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) finds a hole as Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jaden Harris (7) tackles him during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the first half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2681,h_1508/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01jgf82awpzazn6b10wb.jpg "Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (1) finds a hole as Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jaden Harris (7) tackles him during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the first half. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]")
Miami safety Jaden Harris has entered the transfer portal as announced by Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports. Harris will have two years of eligibility remaining. Harris had 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three passes defended, two pass breakups and an interception as a primary starter for Miami in 2024.
With rising sophomore Zaquan Patterson developing and Miami bringing in Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser, Harris faced a real possibility of not being a starter for Miami next season. Miami returns backup safety Markeith Williams and signed Bryce Fitzgerald in the 2025 class.
Harris signed with Miami as a three-star prospect in the 2022 class as the 541st player, 51st cornerback and 56th recruit in Georgia out of Atlanta, Riverwood. Harris was in Mario Cristobal's first class at Miami. Miami was able to sign Harris late after there were multiple projections for him to Georgia Tech.
Harris had his most productive game in the season opener at Florida with 7.0 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 0.5 sack, two passes defended, one pass breakup and an interception. After sold performances during Miami's four non-conference games, the production for Harris decreased versus ACC opponents.
Miami starting defensive back Jaden Harris has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247Sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 31, 2024
Had 40 tackles and an interception this year.https://t.co/10Sz3YxlzO pic.twitter.com/pRLMQv3jII
The transfer by Harris and completion of eligibility by Mishael Powell means Miami will have a new pair of starting safeties for the third straight season. Miami lost starting safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams to the NFL after the 2023 season. Patterson and Poyser are poised to be the starters in 2025.
Miami will have a new look defense in 2025 after coordinator Lance Guidry was fired on Tuesday morning. Poyser confirmed to Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun Sentinel on Tuesday that he is still "locked in" with Miami after Guidry was dismissed. Miami has also added cornerbacks Charles Brantley and Emmanuel Karnley to the 2025 secondary.