Miami football 2024 transfer safety outgoing versus incoming production
Starting safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams leaving for the NFL has left a big hole in the Miami secondary. Safety is the biggest question mark for Miami entering the 2024 season. Although Miami didn't lose any safeties to the transfer portal, who starts at the position will be determined in August training camp.
Miami brought in Mishael Powell from Washington to compete for a starting safety position. Powell primarily played in the slot during spring practice. Powell is the most experienced safety on the 2024 Miami roster. Miami added Vanderbilt safety Savion Riley during the winter transfer portal window.
Riley played with Miami cornerback Jadais Richard at Vanderbilt. Following spring practice, Riley reentered the portal and transferred to Colorado. After redshirting as a freshman in 2022, Riley had a breakout season for Vanderbilt in 2023. Miami doesn't lose any production off its roster, but Riley added proven production for the Hurricanes.
Miami also brought in safety Isaiah Taylor from Arizona. Taylor is the son of Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor. Taylor adds depth and experience for Miami. After a productive 2022 season, Taylor's numbers regressed for Arizona in 2023. Taylor should compete for first-team snaps in August.
Safety | Previous School | Career stats |
|---|---|---|
Mishael Powell | Washington 2019-2023 | 92 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 3 interceptions, 12 PBUs, 1.0 FF |
Isaiah Taylor | Arizona 2021-2023 | 56 tackles, 1.0 INT, 3.0 PBUs |
Miami has Brian Balom and Markeith Williams returning at safety on the 2024 Miami roster. Balom played in six games on special teams in 2023 with three tackles. Williams played in 11 games in 2023 with 15 tackles, 1.0 TFL and 1.0 PBU. Balom and Williams provide Miami with depth and experience at safety entering 2024.
Freshman Zaquan Patterson has received a lot of praise and is being projected as a potential starting safety for Miami in 2024. Patterson has often been compared to Kinchens for his high football IQ. If Patterson and Powell are the starting safeties for Miami it would be a good blend of experience and building for the future.
Next. Miami 2024 transfer CB outgoing versus incoming production. Miami 2024 transfer CB outgoing versus incoming production. dark
In addition to Patterson, Miami also signed safeties Dylan Day, Ryan Mack and Isaiah Thomas in the 2024 class. Day is projected to move to cornerback in college. Powell and Taylor were critical additions for Miami in 2024 with the uncertainty at safety. Safety will be a position to watch for Miami during August training camp.