Countdown to Canes Football: No. 3 Kamren Kinchens
There’s much to be excited about with the best safety returning to college football. A playmaker not only for himself, but one that also has the capability to impact the rest of the defense as well.
Who’s been discussed before today? Full Countdown to Canes Football List
Kamren Kinchens
Size
: 5-foot-11, 202 pounds
Class
: Junior
Position
: Safety
Recruitment and Background
As a member of the 2021 recruiting class, Kinchens was a 4-star recruit ranked as the No. 320 player in the 247 composite rankings. He held offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, Florida, Clemson, Ohio State and many other programs beyond Miami. Kinchens still wanted to play for the Canes and his recruitment ended on July 11, 2020.
He's also one of the best human beings one can be around. The following video from the ACC media day is one that everyone should watch. Tremendous human being:
Kamren Kinchens on what it means to give back to the community ⬇️#CommunityCanes 🙌 @KKinchens5 pic.twitter.com/OrolKhw7q3
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) July 25, 2023
2021 Statistics (12 Games - Started 5)
Tackles
: 44
Tackles For Loss
: 1
Forced Fumbles
: 1
Pass Breakups
: 4
2022 Statistics (Consensus All-American)
Tackles
: 59
Tackles For Loss
: 1.5
Forced Fumbles
: 1
Interceptions
: 6 (1 pick-six)
Pass Breakups
: 6
Does Any College Safety Break On The Football Like Kinchens?
Timing. He just finds a way to get to the spot he needs to be during one of those deep shots by an opposing quarterback. How does Kinchens accomplish this, time and time again?
Film study, instincts, and desire all play a part, but only he truly knows the complete answer. Good for Kinchens as it’s going to help take him to the NFL after this next season.
For now, know that Kinchens is going to keep breaking on the football and creating big plays. It’s what he’s done in the past, and will continue to do during the 2023 season. No player college football player is better at breaking on the ball than Kinchens.
Helping To Navigate A New Defense
Understanding the defensive scheme being installed by Lance Guidry is part one, helping the other Miami players know what’s going on – and then acting on it accordingly – those would be parts two and three.
In Totality, those will all be part of the assignment for what Kinchens has to do as the leader of the defense. It’s common for a safety to make checks and get people properly lined up. Being in a new defense as well, That’s a lot of extra work for not only Kinchens, but a plethora of Transfer Portal additions and younger players.
Easier said than done. How well they all mesh when it comes to understanding one another, that’s going to go a long way in determining Miami’s defensive success. For Kinchens, this will likely be the biggest 2023 task.
Fortunately, Guidry is entrenched at Miami now as he came to The U during spring ball. Further, having another All-American candidate at safety with James Williams next to Kinchens, yeah, that certainly helps the cause! The more reps for Kinchens and the rest of the Canes playing defense, the better they will become with execution.
For Kinchens, How Can He Impact Games Even More?
Setting the tone versus Miami of Ohio. There needs to be a completely new level of communication (see above), effort, and accountability, for each player that walks onto the field and represents the Miami defense.
There’s no shortcut here. Every Canes defensive player must know their assignment through and through. With that, having an All-American on the backend helps.
Every step he takes from the time he walks out of the tunnel until the game concludes, needs to impact Kinchens and those around him.
Sure, that’s a leadership point. It’s also a chance to lead by example. If Kinchens comes out and makes a huge play during the first half against Miami of Ohio like an interception or creating a fumble, it’s an example of how preparation and attention to detail pays off.
With the Canes now having so many new players on the roster, they might know about Kinchens, but seeing him get it done on the field holds another level of value. That’s a great way to raise the bar.
If the Canes can come together against Miami of Ohio and then those results – collectively as a defensive unit – start to take shape versus Texas A&M on Sep. 9, that’s when Kinchens' efforts can truly be felt.
For Miami to win big games like A&M, it’s a collection of effort. Hard to argue against Kinchens holding the best chance to shape what Miami’s defense will look like, among all the defensive players. He’s an All-American, after all.
The Florida State Game
Just going to come out and say it. Miami played one of its worst games in the last 40-plus years versus the Noles last season. Even Kinchens, as tremendous a player as he was in 2022, struggled. He produced one tackle during that game.
Looking at the 2023 matchup in Doak Campbell Stadium, it’s a safe bet that he redeems himself. Further, Miami’s defense will play on an entirely different level, led by Kinchens.
The “It” Factor
For any person that has been around Kinchens, they can attest to the following. He’s one of the smartest young men a person can meet. Kinchens figures it out; talking about any walk of life here. It’s not just football.
Those are the types of people that win big in big moments (business, family, sport, etc.). On the gridiron, there will be a few plays this season that cannot be explained with words. Kinchens will be the one smiling at the end of those plays.
2023 Projection
All-American, two years in a row! Do not bet against this young man. Kinchens knows how and when to break on the football, he will be an excellent director for the other Miami defensive players, and above all else, make game-changing plays that cannot be described. He will change Miami’s won-loss record for the better. Finally, there’s no question that Kinchens is one of college football’s best all-around players, and human beings.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.