Miami secondary could be tested versus FCS leading passer FAMU's Daniel Richardson
Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson leads the Football Championship Subdivision with 568 passing yards entering the game versus Miami on Saturday. Miami will be without starting cornerback Damari Brown who suffered an injury versus Florida last week. Brown is expected to miss a few weeks.
Miami had an already thin secondary, especially at cornerback. Under Mario Cristobal, Miami does not release a depth chart. Darryl Porter Jr. provides stability for Miami at one CB as a multi-year starter. Freshman O.J. Frederique is likely the other starting CB for Miami versus FAMU.
Juniors Dyoni Hill and Jaidus Richard are also the most likely to see a significant increase in snaps for Miami versus FAMU. Hill was the only Miami CB to finish with a top 10 grade on the Hurricanes from Pro Football Focus via David Lake of Inside the U. Hill received a 72.2 grade from PFF, but wasn't targeted in coverage.
Per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Porter Jr. played 48 snaps versus Florida, Richard 37, Frederique 29, Hill 24 and Brown 14. Porter allowed one reception for 11 yards on one target. Richard allowed three receptions on four targets for 39 yards, Frederique two of three for 24 and Brown two of four 22.
The Miami CBs will be supporting in coverage by starting safeties Jaden Harris and Mishael Powell who both had outstanding games versus Florida. Powell led all Miami defensive backs with an 89.5 grade versus Florida. Harris was the ACC DB of the Week with seven tackles, 1.0 tackle-for-loss and an interception versus Florida.
Powell finished with two tackles and returned an interception 67 yards the only time he was targeted versus Florida. Powell led Miami safeties with 56 snaps, Harris played 45 and Markeith Williams 11 versus Florida. Freshman Zaquan Patterson and Arizona transfer Isaiah Taylor should receive playing time at safety versus FAMU.
Richardson has completed 66.2 percent of his pass attempts in 2024 with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Koby Goss leads FAMU with nine receptions for 151 yards and a TD. Jamari Garrett has nine receptions for 118 yards and is tied for the team lead with former Miami running back Thad Franklin with two TDs.
Next. Mario Cristobal injury updates for Rueben Bain and Damari Brown. Mario Cristobal injury updates for Rueben Bain and Damari Brown. dark
Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and cornerbacks coach Chevis Jackson will get a good look at DBs who did not play much or at all versus Florida. With Brown out for a few weeks, other players will have a chance to earn more snaps as the season progresses.