30 key Miami Hurricanes for 2025 season: Damari Brown ready to put injury behind him
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. 31 with a marquee matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC).
With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.
Today: The No. 25 player on our list, Damari Brown.
What to know
Position: Defensive back
Hometown: Plantation
Year: Redshirt sophomore
How he got to Miami: 2023 recruiting class
Key stats: 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss in 11 games (five starts)
In summary: Damari Brown was primed to be a full-time starter for the Hurricanes in 2024, but a foot injury sustained in the Hurricanes’ season-opener against the Florida Gators derailed his season. Brown, a former standout at Plantation American Heritage, is now fully healthy and is expected to be in Miami’s cornerback rotation. He can play either the boundary or the nickel depending on what UM needs and how the depth chart shakes out although it looks like most of his playing time would likely come outside. OJ Frederique Jr. and Xavier Lucas figure to be the Hurricanes’ starting cornerbacks on the outside, with Brown and Ethan O’Connor also in the mix for rotation time. Keionte Smith and Charles Brantley are the two primarily in the mix for time in the nickel.
What they’re saying
“I’m still trying to get to my game play shape, top-tier form, but I feel like everything’s coming back slowly. I haven’t lost speed, skill or anything like that.” - Damari Brown on his health since recovering from injury
“Just really for myself, [I] just [want] to prove that I am who I am. Obviously I’ve got to come to prove to you guys that I’m still Damari Brown. I have a lot in the tank that I’ve yet to show. I feel like I’m one of the best guys out but I have to showcase it.” - Damari Brown on his expectations for the season
“I know there’s a question mark on our secondary — there kind of usually is year in and year out, but I feel like I have real good confidence, especially now that I’m back joining the guys. I can vouch and speak for us that it’ll be different.” - Damari Brown on the secondary
“I’m glad to have him in Miami and have a chance to coach him and develop him. He’s been banged up, but throughout the spring he’s gotten better. All medical staff have done a great job is just trying to get him back. And he’s been building confidence. He’s made some plays. What you want to see with a guy that has a lot of football experience is how you go about your business every day to be a pro. And he’s been attacking.” - Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge during spring practices on Damari Brown
The rest of the series
No. 26: Defensive lineman Armondo Blount
No. 27: Wide receiver Malachi Toney
No. 28: Defensive back Ethan O’Connor
No. 29: Linebacker Kamal Bonner
No. 30: Running back CharMar Brown
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 8:49 AM.
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