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Over the past several weeks, the Miami Hurricanes secured their future safeties, landing verbal commitments from 5-star James Williams and 4-star Kamren Kinchens. Both are South Florida natives, and both are two of the top safeties in the 2021 class.
Miami lands the two of the best safeties in the country @KKinchens5 and now 5 James Williams. @Begreat_20 annouces his commitment via Instagram. pic.twitter.com/KqmD5mc3Rp
— Footballville Nation (@Footballville) July 22, 2020
The Hurricanes have always had success at the safety position, with players like Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, and recently guys like Jaquan Johnson and Sheldrick Redwine. In 2020, Gurvan Hall Jr. and Bubba Bolden, in my opinion, will emerge as one of the top safety tandems in all of college football.
Though, Williams and Kinchens could become the best safety duo that Miami has ever seen.
Yessirrrrrrrrrrr https://t.co/fNxQFFCeNo
— Kamren Kinchens5️⃣ (@KKinchens5) July 22, 2020
Kinchens committed to the Canes two weeks ago, and I’m very high on the ballhawking defensive back out of Miami Northwestern. As a junior, Kinchens recorded 9 interceptions and 74 tackles, as Northwestern captured their third straight state championship. Earning first-team all county by the Miami Herald, Kinchens was part of a defense that allowed just 12.4 points per game. Kinchens was also named to the MaxPreps Junior All-American second-team.
Canes Family! Show love to Kamren Kinchens @Kkinchens42, he would be an amazing addition to the 2021 class, check out the rest of the video in the link below...You’ll want to see the ending #LovoProductionshttps://t.co/7epHL6vLRP pic.twitter.com/0Dx8g4nvwm
— Gabriel Lovo™ (@Lovooo_) July 1, 2020
What makes Kinchens so elite is his instincts, and that he can make a big play at any point in the game. He’s a playmaker, much like Johnson was for Miami in 2017. One of the top DB’s in South Florida, Kinchens is great at reading the quarterback and being able to break up passes.
⭐️ Official #RivalsChallenge Invite ⭐️
— Rivals (@Rivals) June 22, 2019
Congratulations Kamren Kinchens (@Kkinchens42) on your official invitation to this year's #RivalsChallenge! We look forward to seeing you in the #ATL & perform at the @MBStadium! @ncsa @izellreese @rivalsmike @cassidy_rob pic.twitter.com/PpqZxlQEry
The other thing that I admire about Kinchens’ game is his tackling skills, which is sometimes overlooked when viewing a safety. With 74 tackles last year, Kinchens has shown that he can shed blockers and get to the ball carrier.
Why Put On for Someone Else When you can PUT ON FOR YOUR CITY!!! Committed @Coach_MannyDiaz @CoachBanda @D_VanDyke8 pic.twitter.com/TuDqsO31lt
— Kamren Kinchens5️⃣ (@KKinchens5) July 11, 2020
Clocking a 4.69 40-yard dash, Kinchens may not have “elite” speed in the secondary, but that doesn’t slow him down from always being around the football. With offenses around the country moving towards a spread look, Kinchens is the kind of player that you want on your defense.
Miami Northwestern’s Kamren Kinchens working out this morning. He’s up to 200 pounds. Will pick between Miami, Auburn and Texas A&M in July. pic.twitter.com/dMzb6c8mdE
— Andrew Ivins (@Andrew_Ivins) June 13, 2020
Then there’s Williams, who’s the #1 2021 player in the state of Florida, and a top-10 player in the entire country. At 6-5 and 220 pounds, Williams has the perfect build for a Manny Diaz defensive back, and honestly, he can line up at safety, striker, linebacker, it doesn’t matter, Williams is going to get the job done.
BREAKING: 5 ⭐️ ATH James Williams (2021) has Just Committed to Miami!
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 22, 2020
The 6’5 218 ATH chose the Canes over Georgia
He is Ranked #9 Nationally, the #1 ATH, #1 in Florida, and the #143 Ranked Recruit of All-Time
Huge Pickup for Miami! pic.twitter.com/Nx8kMH2oEE
Just like Kinchens, Williams is a natural playmaker, and is always attacking the football and swarming the offense. His football IQ is really what sets Williams apart, and he finished 2019 with 6 interceptions and 62 tackles. Interesting and exciting stat, Williams averaged 22 yards per interception return.
So about last night..... that really happened. Good morning everyone James Williams is a HURRICANE pic.twitter.com/t8rns3TBco
— CanesCutUps (@canescutups) July 22, 2020
With his size and athleticism, Williams has the ability to move around the field and defend modern day offenses better than any defensive back in the nation. Though he’s always played safety, Williams has drawn comparisons to former Clemson star Isaiah Simmons, who was recently drafted #8 by the Arizona Cardinals.
A couple people in Florida told me that 2021 safety James Williams will be just like Isaiah Simmons in college. A “positionless” player. Can blitz the A-Gap or play single high. pic.twitter.com/hpnLXWWlAp
— Clint Brewster (@clintbrew247) February 20, 2020
Even with his big frame, Williams is very fluid on the football field, having the speed to cover a receiver, but also the explosiveness to hit like a linebacker and rush the quarterback like a defensive end. A rare athlete, Williams has the potential to be one of the best safeties in college football.
Huge pick-up for #Miami and Manny Diaz: 5-star safety James Williams, one of the top 10 players in the country and 247's highest-rated player in Florida, commits to the Canes.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) July 22, 2020
I can’t say enough how excited I am to watch Kinchens and Williams in the Miami secondary. Kinchens is the top ball hawker in all of South Florida, and Williams is the number one safety in America. Put those two together, and you have an elite duo for the Canes defense.
Don’t let the coronavirus distract you from remembering that Miami is gonna have James Williams and Kamren Kinchens in the secondary
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) July 27, 2020