Two Miami Hurricanes defenders entering the portal. What to know
Zaquan Patterson, who arrived at Miami 15 months ago with the expectation of becoming an eventual starter and the possibility of joining the long list of distinguished Hurricanes safeties, announced on social media on Monday night that he is leaving the program.
Patterson is set to enter the transfer portal when the second cycle opens on Wednesday.
Backup defensive tackle Joshua Horton also is entering the portal, per on3.com.
247 Sports rated Patterson the No. 6 safety and No. 92 overall prospect in the 2024 class. And the Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna product flashed as a freshman, producing 19 tackles and three passes defended in 12 games and 159 defensive snaps, which were the 20th most among UM’s defensive players.
Quarterbacks had an 85.4 passer rating in his coverage area, with four completions in eight targets for 80 yards, per Pro Football Focus.
Patterson was considered an early front-runner to join Jacksonville State transfer Zechariah Poyser as UM’s starting safeties.
But Patterson missed the first two weeks of practice because of a torn thumb ligament sustained in the Virginia Tech game and was limited the past two weeks. He committed a penalty while wearing a cast on his thumb during the second half of Saturday’s spring game.
In a statement, Patterson said of his departure: “It just was not the right place, right time. It has nothing to do with the program. Mario Cristobal and everyone in that facility are great people.”
His departure leaves Dylan Day and Markeith Williams as the top internal options for the starting job opposite Poyser, who was impressive this spring.
Patterson’s departure likely will intensify UM’s efforts to find a starting caliber safety in the portal.
Freshman Amari Wallace, who had an interception in the spring game, summer freshman arrival Bryce Fitzgerald and former Arizona safety Isaiah Taylor (son of UM assistant coach Jason Taylor) are the other safeties on scholarship. Jadais Richard, recovering from a serious knee injury last November, can play safety or cornerback.
New defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman last week did not rule out playing a cornerback at safety. UM has good depth at corner and Hetherman spoke of a positionless defense that would play the best 11.
Meanwhile, Horton departs after appearing in five games last season and seven over two seasons with the Hurricanes, all off the bench. He played just 28 defensive snaps last season.
247 Sports rated Horton the No. 50 defensive lineman in the 2023 signing class. He was a four-star prospect out of Langston Hughes High in Georgia.
Horton, who had four tackles in his UM career, was injured during spring practice and did not participate in Saturday’s spring game. UM was not counting on him having a significant role this coming season.
The Canes likely will look to add defensive tackle depth in the portal behind David Blay, Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten.
This story was originally published April 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM.
