Two defensive backs, including an all-conference player, set to visit UM. More portal news
After adding three portal pickups on Saturday, the Miami Hurricanes are now zeroing in on several others.
Houston safety AJ Haulcy, arguably the most accomplished of the Canes’ remaining transfer targets, was due to visit UM on Monday. Also scheduled to visit on Monday: UCF cornerback Brent Austin, who played very well last season.
Where UM stands at every position in the portal:
▪ Safety: If Haulcy signs, he would very likely start alongside Jacksonville State transfer Zechariah Poyser.
Haulcy had 74 tackles, five interceptions and eight passes defended for the Cougars last season and was named first-team All-Big 12. Haulcy spent two seasons at Houston after playing his freshman season at New Mexico, where he was named second-team All-Mountain West in 2022. The native of Missouri City, Texas, was a three-star recruit coming out of high school.
Noah King (who left Kansas State after one semester) and UF’s Gregory Smith III also have visited UM, but neither would be the sure-fire starter that Haulcy would be.
▪ Cornerback: In the wake of UM losing Emmanuel Karnley to the transfer portal, Austin is visiting Coral Gables on Monday. He had 48 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions last season.
Austin permitted an exceptional 52.5 passer rating in his coverage area last season: 22 receptions in 51 targets for 297 yards, with two interceptions and one touchdown allowed.
▪ Quarterback: Emory Williams reportedly received inquiries from other schools but ultimately decided not to leave before last Friday’s deadline to enter the portal. So UM’s quarterback room is set: Carson Beck, with Williams the likely backup, and then freshman Luke Nickel and second-year redshirt freshman Judd Anderson.
▪ Running back: UM remains in the mix for North Dakota State running back CharMar Brown, who visited last week; Brown has visited UM, California, Nebraska and Kansas State, and 0n3.com reported Monday that Cal is now the favorite.
UM reportedly also has reached out to North Carolina State’s Kendrick Raphael, who averaged 5.4 yards on 78 carries last season.
▪ Tight end: UM so far has opted not to replace Jackson Carver, who is out with a long-term injury. That means UAB transfer Jack Nickel (Luke’s brother) and freshmen Brock Schott and Luka Gilbert will compete to back up Elija Lofton and Tulane transfer Alex Bauman. Nickel and Scott will battle for the in-line blocking/third tight end role.
▪ Wide receiver: Former BYU receiver Keelan Marion (24 catches for 346 yards and a Big 12-leading 26.2 kickoff return average in 2024) committed to UM on Saturday.
The top receiver in the portal, Syracuse’s Trebor Pena, committed Saturday to Penn State after considering Miami and several others.
Cincinnati’s Tony Johnson (48 catches, 449 yards, six touchdowns last season) visited UM, Kentucky and UCF last week and remains in play.
Per 247 Sports, Cal receiver Jonathan Brady also is now in play for UM. He caught 36 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns last season. The 5-10 Brady spent the two previous years at New Mexico State and has 98 receptions for 1,317 yards and 10 TDs in 41 games in three college seasons.
FSU’s Hykeem Williams, who has 21 receptions (and two touchdowns) in two years at FSU, reportedly will not be pursued by UM.
▪ Offensive line: Nobody left during the second portal window. The Canes have explored adding tackle depth.
▪ Defensive line: UM wants to add an experienced fourth defensive tackle, a player who very likely would join a rotation with David Blay, Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten.
On Monday, UM’s top defensive tackle target (Braxton Feely) decided to withdraw from the portal and remain at Boise State. Another name of interest to UM, USF’s Bernard Gooden, committed to LSU on Monday.
▪ Linebacker: This need was filled with Saturday’s commitment from North Carolina State seven-game starter Kamal Bonner, who had seven tackles for loss and a sack last season.
He will enter as the slight front-runner to start opposite Wesley Bissainthe (both can play middle and outside linebacker), but Raul Aguirre, Jaylin Alderman, Chase Smith and perhaps Bobby Pruitt will make this a competitive battle.
▪ Kicker: Bert Auburn, who had made 66 of 86 career field goal attempts, will enter camp as the clear favorite over FAU transfer Carter Davis to replace new Patriots kicker Andres Borregales. Davis was just 4 for 11 on field goals in two years at FAU.
Five Canes departed before the portal window closed: Karnley, kicker Abram Murray, Georgia-bound defensive tackle Joshua Horton, edge player Elias Rudolph and safety Zaquan Patterson.
Notable
▪ Receiver Sam Brown and center Zach Carpenter, two of the most prominent undrafted draft-eligible Canes, agreed to participate as tryout players with the Dolphins during their rookie minicamp May 9-10. Defensive end Elijah Alston accepted a training camp tryout invitation with the Bills.
Undrafted Canes players who signed contracts (as opposed to tryout deals) include Xavier Restrepo (Tennessee), Jacolby George (Carolina), Simeon Barrow (Atlanta), Meesh Powell (Minnesota) and Daryl Porter Jr. (Buffalo).
Undrafted tight end Cam McCormick continues to look for an NFL opportunity.
This story was originally published April 28, 2025 at 9:29 AM.
