2021 Miami Northwestern (FL) S Kamren Kinchens committed to the Miami Hurricanes over the weekend.
The 5-11, 200-pounder is currently a consensus 4-star in the national rankings. According to the 247Composite, Kinchens is the #299 player nationally, the #20 S in the country, and the #49 player in Florida. The pledge moves Miami up to #12 overall in the national class rankings on 247Sports, and to #10 overall on Rivals.
The Player
Since a breakout sophomore season in 2018, Kinchens has long been considered one of the top DB’s in South Florida for the 2021 class. Since offering him in February of 2019, the Canes and safeties coach Ephraim Banda treated him like a top priority and Kinchens reciprocated that interest with multiple campus visits to UM throughout the next year before coronavirus shut down campuses across the country in March of 2020. From the very beginning, Kinchens stuck to a plan where he was looking to decide in the summer before his senior year, as he ended up choosing the Hurricanes this weekend despite a strong push from schools like Auburn and Texas A&M.
Kinchens has been one of my personal favorite local prospects since 2018, and if you turn on the tape, it’s easy to see why. A regular at providing exciting, game-changing plays, and he is the definition of a true ball-hawk. The rare type of safety that has the ability to lock the offense out of all parts of the field in coverage. Ball skills are so potent that any QB absolutely must account for his whereabouts on each play; 11 picks in 2019 was one short of Jaiden Francois’ 2018 record in Dade County. With safeties being so key in the Manny Diaz defense, Kinchens’ value is that much more important; his great range on the back-end gives you the confidence to trust him in single-high coverages to clean up any mistakes, opening up a defense to throw more varied looks at their opponent. While he does have good speed, what helps set Kinchens apart is that he is a step quicker in reading and reacting to what he’s seeing, which allows him to get to and break up so many more passes, and also aids in cutting down running backs out of the backfield.
High-IQ safety that understands the ins and outs of the position and is seemingly always in the right spot to make a play. Shows instincts to high-point the ball to either bat it away or make the interception in contested scenarios. While most of his value comes in the passing game, he demonstrates the ability to shed blocks to make stops in the run game near the line as well. Form tackling could use improvement at this stage. Compact frame that is physically ready to play at the next level. Adds value on special teams as a punt returner as well.
Aside from game film, Kinchens also doesn’t shy away at proving himself on the camp circuit, and has shined at multiple events over the years against some of the best competition both locally and nationally. In 2019, Kinchens had a monster junior season on the way to another state title for the Bulls, recording 74 tackles, 11 INT, 3 TFL, and a punt return TD, which made him a first team All-Dade selection. At the Opening Miami Regional in February 2019, Kinchens recorded a 4.68 40-yard dash, a 4.40 short shuttle time, and a 31.7 vertical leap in testing.
The Class
Kinchens’ commitment brings Miami’s class numbers up to 17 prospects overall, with Kinchens being the first safety and 5th Miami Northwestern Bull commitment in 2021 for UM. The Hurricanes took four safeties last cycle, so Miami is in a strong position to only take players they believe to be elite prospects at this spot in 2021. While UM would seem to have enough room to take two safeties in this class, sources at UM have told CIS in the past that the staff would be okay with just Kinchens if they can’t find another elite player to pair him with; basically, you won’t see UM take a chance on a player they believe to be borderline just to fill a quota.
Arguably Miami’s most wanted player in this entire class regardless of position, American Heritage (FL) 5-star James Williams has topped Miami’s wish-list since he was a freshman in high school. While the 6-5 220 pound former UM commit could eventually end up at another position down the line, that is an entirely different discussion; the current safety put Miami in his top 2 with UGA last month after previously eliminating the Hurricanes back in February. UM never gave up on Williams, and while the Canes have made some headway during the quarantine and that’s encouraging, I’ve still heard nothing to move the needle away from UGA being considered the heavy favorite here. The recruitment of Avantae Williams last cycle proved the benefits of staying on certain recruits despite all indicators looking grim, but it’s important to put that into context and recognize Avantae was the exception, not the rule, so that expectations are properly managed here. Like with many other 5-star prospects, how UM fares on the field this season could ultimately make or break Miami’s chances to land James Williams.
If Miami ultimately misses on Williams, gets Williams and decides to change his position, or has an extra spot at the end of the cycle and decides to take a “best available” type, there are a few prospects they have positioned themselves with that are still currently uncommitted and could potentially make it into the class. UM has put a ton of resources into Miami Palmetto (FL) 4-star Corey Collier over the years as someone who the Canes have also been recruiting since he was a freshman. While Collier has offers from all around the country, UM recently made his top 6 and he seems pretty open as of now. He was a frequent visitor to campus before the lockdowns as well. The Canes have also stayed in touch with John Paull II Catholic (FL) 4-star Terrion Arnold, Eau Gaille (FL) 4-star Dink Jackson, and University Lab (LA) 3-star Jardin Gilbert through the quarantine, but each seem like longshots at this point.
If you’re looking for a sleeper that has an outside shot to make it into the class, look no further than Franklin (MD) 3-star Daymon David, who’s tape was forwarded to the staff by Ed Reed back in May. David is a prospect I know Banda is personally very high on and would like to sneak into the class if David wants in, but that is going to depend on how much space UM has at the end of the cycle and how they assess their relative needs.
The Team
At safety, the Canes only lose Robert Knowles from last season’s rotation, and return a senior Amari Carter, plus juniors Gurvan Hall and Bubba Bolden, with sophomore Keontra Smith moving to striker in the spring. While Hall is a returning starter, Carter and Bolden will seek to earn the starting job opposite Hall this fall, with freshmen Avantae Williams, Jalen Harrell, Keshawn Washington, and Brian Balom providing competition behind them.
Kinchens has both the build and cerebral understanding of the position to make an impact in his first year at the college level, and it’s not like UM currently has a ton of established safety depth. With those basics already down, he’s a guy you could see really flourish by enrolling early for spring, and then parlay that momentum into quality reps as a freshman. At worst, Kinchens profiles as a solid contributor at Miami, but with the potential for All-ACC recognition and much more when evaluating the high end of his career spectrum.
The 5-11, 200-pounder is currently a consensus 4-star in the national rankings. According to the 247Composite, Kinchens is the #299 player nationally, the #20 S in the country, and the #49 player in Florida. The pledge moves Miami up to #12 overall in the national class rankings on 247Sports, and to #10 overall on Rivals.
The Player
Since a breakout sophomore season in 2018, Kinchens has long been considered one of the top DB’s in South Florida for the 2021 class. Since offering him in February of 2019, the Canes and safeties coach Ephraim Banda treated him like a top priority and Kinchens reciprocated that interest with multiple campus visits to UM throughout the next year before coronavirus shut down campuses across the country in March of 2020. From the very beginning, Kinchens stuck to a plan where he was looking to decide in the summer before his senior year, as he ended up choosing the Hurricanes this weekend despite a strong push from schools like Auburn and Texas A&M.
Kinchens has been one of my personal favorite local prospects since 2018, and if you turn on the tape, it’s easy to see why. A regular at providing exciting, game-changing plays, and he is the definition of a true ball-hawk. The rare type of safety that has the ability to lock the offense out of all parts of the field in coverage. Ball skills are so potent that any QB absolutely must account for his whereabouts on each play; 11 picks in 2019 was one short of Jaiden Francois’ 2018 record in Dade County. With safeties being so key in the Manny Diaz defense, Kinchens’ value is that much more important; his great range on the back-end gives you the confidence to trust him in single-high coverages to clean up any mistakes, opening up a defense to throw more varied looks at their opponent. While he does have good speed, what helps set Kinchens apart is that he is a step quicker in reading and reacting to what he’s seeing, which allows him to get to and break up so many more passes, and also aids in cutting down running backs out of the backfield.
High-IQ safety that understands the ins and outs of the position and is seemingly always in the right spot to make a play. Shows instincts to high-point the ball to either bat it away or make the interception in contested scenarios. While most of his value comes in the passing game, he demonstrates the ability to shed blocks to make stops in the run game near the line as well. Form tackling could use improvement at this stage. Compact frame that is physically ready to play at the next level. Adds value on special teams as a punt returner as well.
Aside from game film, Kinchens also doesn’t shy away at proving himself on the camp circuit, and has shined at multiple events over the years against some of the best competition both locally and nationally. In 2019, Kinchens had a monster junior season on the way to another state title for the Bulls, recording 74 tackles, 11 INT, 3 TFL, and a punt return TD, which made him a first team All-Dade selection. At the Opening Miami Regional in February 2019, Kinchens recorded a 4.68 40-yard dash, a 4.40 short shuttle time, and a 31.7 vertical leap in testing.
The Class
Kinchens’ commitment brings Miami’s class numbers up to 17 prospects overall, with Kinchens being the first safety and 5th Miami Northwestern Bull commitment in 2021 for UM. The Hurricanes took four safeties last cycle, so Miami is in a strong position to only take players they believe to be elite prospects at this spot in 2021. While UM would seem to have enough room to take two safeties in this class, sources at UM have told CIS in the past that the staff would be okay with just Kinchens if they can’t find another elite player to pair him with; basically, you won’t see UM take a chance on a player they believe to be borderline just to fill a quota.
Arguably Miami’s most wanted player in this entire class regardless of position, American Heritage (FL) 5-star James Williams has topped Miami’s wish-list since he was a freshman in high school. While the 6-5 220 pound former UM commit could eventually end up at another position down the line, that is an entirely different discussion; the current safety put Miami in his top 2 with UGA last month after previously eliminating the Hurricanes back in February. UM never gave up on Williams, and while the Canes have made some headway during the quarantine and that’s encouraging, I’ve still heard nothing to move the needle away from UGA being considered the heavy favorite here. The recruitment of Avantae Williams last cycle proved the benefits of staying on certain recruits despite all indicators looking grim, but it’s important to put that into context and recognize Avantae was the exception, not the rule, so that expectations are properly managed here. Like with many other 5-star prospects, how UM fares on the field this season could ultimately make or break Miami’s chances to land James Williams.
If Miami ultimately misses on Williams, gets Williams and decides to change his position, or has an extra spot at the end of the cycle and decides to take a “best available” type, there are a few prospects they have positioned themselves with that are still currently uncommitted and could potentially make it into the class. UM has put a ton of resources into Miami Palmetto (FL) 4-star Corey Collier over the years as someone who the Canes have also been recruiting since he was a freshman. While Collier has offers from all around the country, UM recently made his top 6 and he seems pretty open as of now. He was a frequent visitor to campus before the lockdowns as well. The Canes have also stayed in touch with John Paull II Catholic (FL) 4-star Terrion Arnold, Eau Gaille (FL) 4-star Dink Jackson, and University Lab (LA) 3-star Jardin Gilbert through the quarantine, but each seem like longshots at this point.
If you’re looking for a sleeper that has an outside shot to make it into the class, look no further than Franklin (MD) 3-star Daymon David, who’s tape was forwarded to the staff by Ed Reed back in May. David is a prospect I know Banda is personally very high on and would like to sneak into the class if David wants in, but that is going to depend on how much space UM has at the end of the cycle and how they assess their relative needs.
The Team
At safety, the Canes only lose Robert Knowles from last season’s rotation, and return a senior Amari Carter, plus juniors Gurvan Hall and Bubba Bolden, with sophomore Keontra Smith moving to striker in the spring. While Hall is a returning starter, Carter and Bolden will seek to earn the starting job opposite Hall this fall, with freshmen Avantae Williams, Jalen Harrell, Keshawn Washington, and Brian Balom providing competition behind them.
Kinchens has both the build and cerebral understanding of the position to make an impact in his first year at the college level, and it’s not like UM currently has a ton of established safety depth. With those basics already down, he’s a guy you could see really flourish by enrolling early for spring, and then parlay that momentum into quality reps as a freshman. At worst, Kinchens profiles as a solid contributor at Miami, but with the potential for All-ACC recognition and much more when evaluating the high end of his career spectrum.
