Damari Brown finding his place as likely Miami Hurricanes starter at nickel, has “a lot more confidence” heading into Year 2

The theory goes that college football players can make the biggest strides from year 1 to 2 in a program. That certainly looks like it could be the case with DB Damari Brown, who started the final four games last year at corner and so far early this fall has looked really good in his new role as the anticipated starting nickel. Brown was limited in the spring by injury, with Washington transfer Mishael Powell playing there, but this fall Powell moved primarily to free safety and Brown is ready to step up.

“I have a lot more confidence (after playing as a true freshman in 2023), I’m feeling good, just ready to take on this role this year,” Brown said. “I have my teammates with me. It’s going to be a big year for me. I have a lot of pressure to uphold from teammates, coaches. I’m ready to be one of the leaders and just perform at the highest ability.”

Brown’s matching up with slot receiver Xavier Restrepo, who passed 1,000 yards in 2023, and calls him “the best of the best.”

“Everything is one on one gametime reps with him,” Brown said. “The more I go against him, the more he’ll sharpen me up.”

Brown also said after this morning’s practice that “They (practices) so far have been smooth. The defense is coming together. The offense is looking pretty nice. We’re all competing. I feel we’ll have a good season this year.”

Brown got a few limited reps at nickel last season, primarily playing boundary corner. He ended 2023 with a modest 14 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and per Pro Football Focus graded out at 63.0 percent overall with a 65.3 cover grade and low 43.4 tackle grade in 331 reps. He was noted missing five tackles, and when targeted allowed 19 of 32 completions for 193 yards with two TDs. He also was called for two penalties.

“I put on some pounds (from last year), some good weight,” Brown said. “I’m at 198, my body fat is low.”

He adds that off last year’s experience he learned “just always stay ready, seize the moment. The opportunity was there for me last year. It’s here for me now, so I’m just going to take advantage.”

Brown could also work in games on the outside, depending on the matchup. Jadais Richard also works at nickel, and Powell could move around from nickel to safety.

“There’s a lot of versatility everywhere,” Brown said. “Kind of everybody has two positions. We just maximize our reps and build from there.”

With four starters gone from last year’s secondary, there are some question marks about how solid this unit will be. Miami added Powell and CB D’yoni Hill from Marshall out of the portal, but there’s not much experienced depth at corner or safety.

Brown knows some question whether the DBs will play high level, consistent football this year, and says, “That’s a lot of outside noise. We know what we’re capable of, what we can do if everybody is on the same page communicating. We can go real far as a group.”

A final thought from Brown?

“I’m trying to take over, a lot is expected from me this year,” he said. “I’m not a baby anymore, I have to take on this Year 2 campaign being a starting defensive back, have to perform at a high level, set the bar.”

*Brown says freshman CB OJ Frederique “reminds me of myself from last year. He competed early out of the gate, doesn’t shy away from anything.”

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