Miami All-American safety chasing greatness. If you can’t join him, ‘Get out of the way’

Quiet, understated Kamren Kinchens was a deafening, in-your-face force last season at the University of Miami.

That’s what six interceptions (second most in the nation behind the seven of Buffalo’s Marcus Fuqua and Middle Tennessee State’s Decorian Patterson), a team-leading 59 tackles, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, six pass breakups and 99-yard defensive touchdown does for a safety who entered 2022 as an unquestionable talent and left it with a giant first-team All-American banner hanging from the indoor practice facility rafters.

“We gotta step up, you know,’’ Kinchens, a Miami Northwestern High graduate heading into his third season, said after Thursday’s first day of UM spring practice. “And if I gotta lead the way, then that’s what I gotta do. It’s simple.’’

Miami’s 42-16 season-ending home loss to Pittsburgh was especially heart-wrenching, as the Hurricanes finished 5-7 and failed to qualify for a bowl for the first time in 15 years.

After the game, Kinchens was the only Hurricanes, coach Mario Cristobal said, who stood up and addressed the others in the emotionally aching locker room.

“He called up everybody and told them how much he loved them and anyone that can’t or doesn’t want to be a part of that, move fast and get out of the way,” the coach said. “That’s what it takes.”

Said Kinchens after the game: “There wasn’t nobody angry. Everybody is sad because we wanted to send the seniors out the right way and we didn’t. ...You’re going to grind regardless. That’s all I know. All I know is football. So nobody can take the joy away from me. I’m here to grind and play football. That’s what I came here for.

“If you don’t want to be here, farewell, good wishes to you, hope for the best,” Kinchens said that day. “But if you want to stay, come every day ready to grind because we don’t want this taste in our mouth again.”

Rated No. 1

Kinchens reached first-team All-American status in the Associated Press and Sports News outlets, among others, earned first-team All-ACC and was graded at 90 percent by Pro Football Focus as the nation’s top safety.

That wasn’t a shocker, not when Kinchens came to UM in 2021 as a four-star prospect and former Miami Herald Miami-Dade Defensive Player of the Year with nine interceptions his junior year at Northwestern to help lead the Bulls to a state championship. But the 5-11, 198-pound Kinchens is less physically imposing than his 6-5, 215-pound on-field safety counterpart James Williams, and until last season, got less publicity nationwide than the also-gifted former five-star prospect Williams.

But Kinchens has been a playmaker in UM’s defense since the beginning. In his first UM start against Pittsburgh in 2021, Kinchens had a potentially game-saving play in the final quarter. The Panthers called for a trick play and he was all over (legally) future first-round NFL draft pick Kenny Pickett, when the then-No. 17 Panthers tried to target the quarterback in the end zone on fourth down. Pittsburgh kicked a field goal and Miami won 38-34.

Kinchens trails Sean Taylor and former Jim Thorpe Award winner Bennie Blades for Miami’s single-season interception record of 10 (1986 and 2003) and is tied with Artie Burns (2015) with his six picks.

“You chase the greats,’’ Kinchens said after grabbing a trio of interceptions last year at Georgia Tech. “Proud to have three.”

Fellow rising junior Williams, who is expected to miss spring practice after shoulder surgery, finished 2022 with 58 tackles (38 solo compared to 34 for Kinchens), one interception, six pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Williams will join Kinchens in leading the other safeties, who include redshirt freshman Markeith Williams and fourth-year sophomore Brian Balom.

“Now it’s kind of on us,’’ Kinchens said.

Jersey change

Kinchens wore jersey No. 24 his first two seasons, but will now wear No. 5. Asked what factored into that decision, Kinchens said “everything.’’

“At the West [Miami Northwest] and Optimists I had 5,’’ he explained. “My first two years at the West I had 42 so it was kind of like 24 was the same thing. So, after two years of having it, even though All-America and stuff like that, [I] felt like it was just right to have 5 on.

“It was always my favorite number. I had it since I was 6, so just feel great having it.”

James Williams’ jersey number has also changed, from 0 the past two seasons to 20 — the number he wore at Plantation American Heritage High.

New coordinator

Kinchens said Thursday it was “great’’ working with new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who came to the Hurricanes from Marshall and was described by the safety as “a fireball that just brings a lot of energy.”

“You love to see it. Keeps everybody on their toes.’’

Kinchens’ “first impressions” of the early enrollee freshmen?

“All of them dogs,’’ he said. “They love working, especially Kaleb [Spencer]. That’s why I love Kaleb. In the fourth quarter [drills leading to spring practice], he’s calling me out on every drill. Shoot. I ain’t back down. So, we only made each other better.”

As the Canes continue their spring sessions Tuesday with the second of 15 allotted practices, Kinchens plans to inspire through whatever the circumstance. When asked what needs to improve culture-wise, he mentioned being “more of a team.’’

“When we get down...when it gets hot and we all get tired, we gotta just know to stay together,’’ he said. “We can’t be arguing and stuff like that. Stay as a team.’’

What has his teammates’ mindset been since he addressed them after the Pitt finale?

“Backing me up with everything,’’ Kinchens said. “Whoever wants to be here is here. Whoever didn’t want to be here is not here.

“That’s the main thing.’’