Transfer portal tracker: FSU nickel has caught Miami’s eye, could be a good fit

The Miami Hurricanes lost four starting defensive backs from last year, with a couple of notable portal additions so far – nickel Mishael Powell from Washington and safety Savion Riley from Vanderbilt. The team only has a couple of other DBs back with starting experience – CB Daryl Porter, Jr. and Damari Brown (started final four games as a true freshman last year).

So the Canes are on the hunt for more experienced talent in the second portal window. CaneSport has confirmed that Marshall CB D’yoni Hill is a target, and he’s set to visit Miami April 26-28. We feel good about the chances there.

Another DB CaneSport confirmed Miami has interest in is FSU fifth-year nickel Greedy Vance, Jr. Adding Vance would not only help the depth at nickel, but there is the potential he could be a starter there. That would allow Powell to move back to safety, where he started last year for the Huskies (prior to that he played corner at Washington).

Certainly Vance has plenty of experience, even if it’s mainly as a backup nickel.

He began his college career at Louisville, starting nine games his two seasons there with 36 total tackles, seven PBU and a fumble recovery. After arriving at FSU he played in 13 games off the bench in 2022 and had 16 tackles, three interceptions and two PBU (one of his picks was in FSU’s 45-3 win at Miami … that clip is below).

Then this past season he started five games and played off the bench in nine others – he had 18 tackles with an interception and three pass breakups.

Per Pro Football Focus Vance played 360 reps last season and graded out at 71.8 percent overall with a 75.9 cover grade and 71.3 tackle grade. He was noted being targeted 29 times with 13 completions allowed for 128 yards and two TDs.

He played 289 reps in 2022 (74.7 overall grade and 73.0 cover grade), and the most reps he played in a season was in 2021 at Louisville. That year in 636 reps he graded out at a subpar 55.3 percent overall with a 58.5 cover grade (32 of 54 passes were completed targeting him for 431 yards and two TDs).

For his career to this point Vance has allowed opponents to complete 52.1 percent of passes and given up four TDs with four INTs. He is noted with 16 career pass breakups.

Vance was an industry three-star prospect out of Kennar (La.) Edna Karr High School.

Along with Miami, Vance lists other offers from programs including Alabama, Missouri, Georgia Tech, Duke, USC and Virginia Tech.

He’s visiting USC this weekend and has a trip set to Kentucky April 26-28. We’ll see if Miami winds up getting a visit from him at some point as well. It wouldn’t surprise us if that happens.

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