Miami football needs safety Mishael Powell to be leader in secondary

The addition of former Washington safety Mishael Powell is invaluable to the depth in the secondary for a Miami football program short on experienced defensive backs. Miami returns starting cornerbacks Damari Brown and Daryl Porter Jr., but lost safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams,

Powell primarily received snaps at slot CB this spring. Powell is expected to return to safety when Miami begins training camp in August. The other starting safety for Miami is a question mark with just over 2.5 months remaining until Miami opens the season on August 31 at Florida.

Clint Brewster of 247Sports praised Powell in March as "a high-IQ safety with size and toughness against the run." 38 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups and three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown as part of a Washington team that advanced to the National Championship game.

Powell played in 36 games with 25 starts over the last three seasons. Brian Balom is the only other fifth-year safety on the Miami roster. Balom has played 27 games in his career with one start. Since Mario Cristobal was hired for the 2022 season, Balom has primarly played on special teams.

The competition to start with Powell at safety for Miami will likely be between returnee Markeith Williams, 2024 signee Zaquan Patterson and Arizona transfer Isaiah Taylor. Williams has played 15 games with 18 tackles, 1.0 TFL and 1.0 pass breakup in two seasons at Miami.

Patterson has a chance to take the mantle from Kinchens and Williams who both started as true freshmen in 2021. Patterson was the 93rd prospect, sixth safety and 14th player in Florida in the 2024 class out of Chaminade-Madonna. The scouting report for Patterson states he is equally comfortable in coverage and against the run.

Taylor played in 25 games over three seasons at Arizona, with one start. Taylor had his best season for Arizona with 40 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 interception and three pass breakups in 2022. Miami needs Taylor to have a redemptive season after a reduction in playing time with Arizona in 2023.

Miami needs Patterson, Taylor or Williams to emerge in 2024. Playing next to Powell will help whoever starts as the second safety for Miami in 2023. The Miami secondary is the biggest question mark entering the 2024 season. Miami is projected to have one of the best defensive lines nationally and their linebacker corps is experienced and productive.

If Miami can avoid breakdowns on the backend defensively, they can challenge for a berth in the ACC Championship game and potentially make the College Football Playoff. Miami significantly improved its pass defense in 2023. With Powell leading the secondary under defensive coordinator Lance Guidry the Miami defensive backs can be productive in 2024.