Miami Hurricanes S Kam Kinchens ready for more blitz responsibility in an aggressive new D: “When you cause mistakes you get turnovers”

For Miami Hurricanes safety Kam Kinchens, there probably is some surety in the things he did a year ago that led to him grabbing an ACC-best six interceptions and earning All-American honors. But Kinchens isn’t about just doing the same and getting the same results. He wants more, and he wants challenges.

The Lance Guidry defense will give him all the opportunities for even more big plays … and challenges to match.

Kinchens told CaneSport that he thinks he blitzed “maybe five times last year,” and about 10 times in his two seasons with the program. That will change this year in a new, aggressive scheme under Guidry.

“When I watched film (from where Guidry coached) they blitzed, they blitzed from everywhere,” Kinchens says. “So it’ll have more changes to it, more versatility, it’s more aggressive overall. Everybody blitzes, it’s aggressive.

“Coach Guidry’s defense is aggressive, and that causes mistakes, and when you cause mistakes you get turnovers.”

As for the blitzing aspect and how it pertains to Kinchens?

“It’ll be fun – I tell them I can rush like a D end, have little moves,” Kinchens says.

Kinchens is the leader of a Miami defense that returns several key players – DEs Akheem Mesidor, Nyjalik Kelly and Jahfari Harvey, DT Leonard Taylor, LB Wesley Bissainthe, nickel Te’Cory Couch and safety James Williams. The team also has added transfers at defensive tackle (Branson Deen, Anthony Campbell, Thomas Gore), linebacker (Francisco Mauigoa, KJ Cloyd) and cornerback (Davonte Brown, Jaden Davis, Demetrius Freeney and Ja’Dais Richard).

As for his safety-mate, Williams, Kinchens says “This defense is perfect for him. He can play every position. He learned the defense so well, has learned every spot so he can play every spot.”

A question mark area on Miami’s D is at cornerback, where in early fall drills the first team boundary guys have mainly been Brown and Couch (nickel last year) with Davis at nickel.

“As far as the corner spot, every guy has stepped to the plate knowing there are two spots available,” Kinchens said. “Some guys run with the ones, but coach (Jahmile) Addae stresses every day there’s no ones, twos or threes. They’ve been going great at competition, everyone rotating which is great.”

Add it all up, and the hope is this Miami defense will be talented, deep and dominate.

“I always think our defense is getting better,” Kinchens said. “Last year Nyjalik and Wesley as freshmen, now they take that next step. Me and James. We don’t know who will start at corner – everyone is going to take that next step that we all need. You have Jahfari, Nyjalik, Akheem, LT (Taylor), Branson Deen, Thomas Gore, Jared Harrison-Hunte. It can go on and one. We have a bunch of depth (on the D line). So when we are rotating guys it’s like there’s not going to be any down step.”

As for Kinchens personally? He ended last year as the nation’s highest graded safety per Pro Football Focus at a ridiculous 90.0 percent. That bested No. 2 Brian Branch out of Alabama, who was at 89.5 percent. His highlight game? That was against Georgia Tech, when he grabbed a program record-tying three interceptions, including one for a 99-yard touchdown, and led the team with eight tackles, including four solo and a half-tackle for loss, adding one pass breakup.

A final thought from Kinchens? He’s taking on a leadership role and wants to take ownership for how the D performs.

“I’ve been working on leadership, make sure all the guys work to get better,” Kinchens said. “I think with the coaches, they do a great job of helping us be a player-led team. I have to step up, and other guys too. Now I feel when I have the need to say something I say it because they guys trust me, respect me. I’m getting more comfortable with it.

“I’m making sure I’m polishing every part of my game, because I don’t think I’m great at everything.”

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