ESPN pegs small school transfer who will address a glaring roster hole as the biggest sleeper on the 2025 Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes were, to put it simply, very bad in their secondary in 2024. Arguably among the worst units at any position on any Power Five team in the country. That inability to stop opposing passing attacks was a significant reason the Canes fell just short of making the College Football Playoff for the […]
The Miami Hurricanes were, to put it simply, very bad in their secondary in 2024. Arguably among the worst units at any position on any Power Five team in the country.
That inability to stop opposing passing attacks was a significant reason the Canes fell just short of making the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, which was highlighted in a regular-season-ending 42-38 loss at Syracuse. QB Kyle McCord picked apart a lost Miami defense, going 26/36 for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Fortunately for Miami fans, Mario Cristobal has been busy retooling his defense with both coaching and personnel. Out is defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. In is new DC Corey Hetherman and new positional coaches Will Harris (safeties) and Zach Etheridge (cornerbacks).
The talent overhaul has been substantial as well, with Wisconsin CB Xavier Lucas, Jacksonville State S Zechariah Poyser and others coming in via the transfer portal.
And it's Poyser who ESPN thinks could be an under-the-radar difference maker for the Canes in 2025. The network put out its list of one sleeper for each top 25 team, and Poyser got the nod for Miami.
This is what ESPN had to say about Poyser:
"You may have heard of Poyser, one of the top available players in the transfer portal this past season. But he should still be considered a sleeper because of the impact he is projected to have in his first year with the Hurricanes. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety played his first two seasons at Jacksonville State, earning Freshman All-America honors as a redshirt freshman this past season with 75 tackles and three interceptions. His addition gives the Hurricanes an instant upgrade at safety, where they struggled at times last season. Miami made other additions at defensive back in the portal, but safety was the most glaring area of need and it appears to be filled." – Andrea Adelson, ESPN.com
The pick makes perfect sense. No position SHOULD look more dramatically improved in 2025 than Miami's secondary, and Poyser is a player many might not have heard of, but they very well could after the year is over. The lengthy defender has good ball skills and earned a 76.9 grade with a 77.0 coverage mark from Pro Football Focus last season.
Miami's defense should be significantly improved in 2025. If Miami's offense can manage to avoid taking too much of a step back after major roster losses to the NFL, then perhaps the Canes are poised to take that next step this fall.
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