As the Miami Hurricanes gear up for the 2024 season, the safety position remains one of the most intriguing and crucial areas to watch. With key departures to the NFL, including former standouts Kam Kitchens and James Williams, the Hurricanes are relying on Mishael Powell and emerging young talent to secure the back end of their defense.
S- Mishael Powell
Mishael Powell arrives in Coral Gables with championship experience, having been a key contributor for the Washington Huskies during their national title run. Standing at six feet tall, Powell recorded 38 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2.5 tackles for loss and six pass deflections while starting all 15 games for Washington last season. Known for his versatility, Powell has the ability to play both slot corner and safety, making him a valuable asset to the Hurricanes’ secondary. His experience and football IQ have already made him a leader on this team, and he has the potential to be an All-ACC performer in 2024. While Powell’s coverage skills and ability to disrupt routes with his physical jam technique make him a standout, his presence also provides a calming and experienced presence to a very green safety room. His championship pedigree will go a long way in mentoring a very young and unproven safety room.
S-Jaden Harris
Jaden Harris is another player expected to take on a significant role this season. At 6’2” and 200 pounds, Harris brings an impressive blend of size, speed, and physicality to the safety position. Though still relatively young, Harris has already shown flashes of brilliance, particularly during spring practices, where he demonstrated his ability to cover ground quickly and deliver punishing tackles. Originally recruited as a cornerback, Harris has transitioned well to safety, where his speed and aggressiveness make him a formidable presence. While he may not have the same ball-hawking instincts as his predecessor Kam Kitchens, Harris offers a combination of reliability and athleticism that should help solidify Miami’s secondary.
S-Zaquan Patterson
Zaquan Patterson enters the 2024 season as one of the most highly anticipated freshmen. The top -100 recruit from Chaminade-Madonna brings a physical edge to the safety group, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at over 200 pounds. Patterson’s ability to blitz, his timing, and his hard-hitting style have drawn comparisons to former Hurricane James Williams, though Patterson is seen as a more consistent tackler. His readiness to contribute right away is evident, and he’s expected to see significant playing time, possibly even in high-pressure situations such as Miami’s season opener against Florida. Patterson’s combination of size, physicality, and football intelligence positions him as a potential breakout star for the Hurricanes that might see himself in a starting spot as soon as this season.
S-Markeith Williams
Markeith Williams, a former four-star recruit from Orlando Evans, remains a somewhat unknown quantity but could be a key contributor this season. Williams possesses excellent ball skills, having been a prolific interceptor in high school, and his length and coverage abilities have drawn comparisons to other versatile safeties like Misahel Powell. However, consistency and physicality have been areas of focus for Williams as he continues to develop. If he can build on the progress he’s made, Williams could provide valuable depth and coverage ability for Miami’s secondary.
S- Dylan Day
Dylan Day, another true freshman prospect that has been trending more toward the safety position as the season approaches. The Baton Rouge native is a well-built athlete at 6’2” and 200 pounds, with impressive speed and length. Despite dealing with a hamstring injury in the spring, Day has shown flashes of his potential, particularly in coverage situations. As he continues to develop and gain experience, Day could become a valuable contributor both in the safety rotation and on special teams.
S- Isaiah Thomas & Isaiah Taylor
Finally, Isaiah Thomas and Isaiah Taylor round out the safety group. Thomas, a highly recruited player out of Canada, has dealt with injuries but possesses great physical tools. This season is likely to be a developmental year for him as he focuses on fully recovering and getting back to form. Taylor, the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, brings football pedigree and experience to the safety room. While he may not be projected as a top contributor right now, his intelligence, work ethic, and special teams play make him a valuable asset to the scout team.
The safety position is undoubtedly one of the most critical areas for Miami heading into the 2024 season. The Canes have a mix of veteran presence, promising young talent, and strategic flexibility, the Hurricanes have the pieces to build a solid and effective secondary. However, much will depend on the development and consistency of these players as they step into their expanded roles this season. This is for the most part an unproven group with Mishael Powell the only one that truly has big game experience and snaps under his belt. The rest of the group has potential but they lack the production and experience that is requisite of a big time Power Five program that will compete for the ACC Championship this year and will be in contention for a playoff spot. Miami cannot afford to lose Powell and will need some of these younger players to really step up this year.
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