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CanesCounty – Miami Football: Ranking the top five defensive backs going into spring

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CanesCounty  –  Miami Football: Ranking the top five defensive backs going into spring


5. Damari Brown 

Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Chris Bell (0) catches the football against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Damari Brown (6) during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

The defensive back room is perhaps the most intriguing going into spring football practice. The departure of starters Kamren Kinchens, James Williams, Jaden Davis, and Te’Cory Couch to enter the NFL, and Davonte Brown transferring to Florida State, leaves plenty of opportunity for returning players and transfers to make significant contributions.

Jaden Harris and Markeith Williams will definitely be in the mix for playing time, and both could emerge this spring to take the next step in development. Harris excels in tackling, receiving an 82.7 tackling grade (four games), while Williams received his highest grade in run defense (77.5 in three games) from Pro Football Focus.

Kaleb Spencer and Arizona transfer Isaiah Taylor will also push for playing time on defense and special teams. Demetrius Freeney also could push for playing time after recovering from injury last season.

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The 2024 signees Zaquan Patterson, Ryan Mack, OJ Frederique, and Dylan Day will likely need a year to develop to the college level.

One of the key returners is sophomore Damari Brown. The Miami coaches showed plenty of confidence in Brown during his freshman season, allowing him to play 445 total snaps with 331 on defense.

Brown went through some growing pains, but his potential is high with his solid frame (6’2,” 195) and physical style.

According to PFF, Brown needs to improve in tackling, scoring a 43.5 season grade in that area, his lowest among all categories. Brown excels in coverage (65.3 season grade), scoring his best grade against NC State on 15 coverage snaps. He’s in line to be CB2 for Miami this season.

4. Savion Riley

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Vanderbilt safety Savion Riley (21) plays against Alabama A&M in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

Savion Riley, the transfer from Vanderbilt, adds much-needed experience to the position. Riley played 413 total snaps last season, with 343 on defense. He totaled 43 total tackles (34 solo) and graded with an 81.8 tackling grade in the season finale against Tennessee.

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Riley could get the start at safety but will have to hold off Harris, Williams, and others for the spot.

3. Jadais Richard

Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Hurricanes defensive back Markeith Williams (15) and Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jadais Richard (25) react to a missed field goal by Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at Yankee Stadium.

Jadais Richard seemed to get better and better as the year progressed last season. Also, a transfer from Vandy, Richard played 372 total snaps with 187 on defense.

His season grades (Defense – 67.7, Run Defense – 76.2, Tackling – 85.7, Pressure – 55.9, Coverage 65.5) were impressive among his peers, so he lands third on this list. He is a well-rounded player who can play safety, corner, or the slot, making him a valuable piece of this Miami defense.

2. Mishael Powell

Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Huskies safety Mishael Powell (3) celebrates an interception of a Michigan State Spartans pass in the first quarter at Spartan Stadium.

Miami did well to land Washinton transfer Mishael Powell. The former Husky brings a wealth of experience, having played in the College Football Playoff and national championship game last season.

Powell played 1,005 total snaps, with 878 on defense last season.

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In 2023, he tallied 38 total tackles (29 solo), defended six passes, and snagged three interceptions, including one return for a touchdown against Arizona State that changed the game and helped seal that victory for UW.

It would be surprising if Powell did not get one of the starting safety spots in the 2024 season.

1. Darryl Porter Jr.

(AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Miami’s Daryl Porter, Jr. during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Daryl Porter Jr. will be highly dependent upon to lock down one side of the field, much like he did in 2023. In eight games, he totaled 21 total tackles (14 solo), fourth among returning Hurricanes.

The West Virginia transfer many times re-routed wide receivers from catching the football last season. Porter Jr. ranked 18th among 2025 draft-eligible corners in coverage.

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Who is Rueben Bain Jr\ufeff? Miami Hurricanes draft prospect visits Bengals

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Who is Rueben Bain Jr\ufeff? Miami Hurricanes draft prospect visits Bengals


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2026 NFL draft prospects Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech and Rueben Bain Jr. of University of Miami visited the Cincinnati Bengals on April 10, according to NFL Network, along with fellow Miami Hurricanes edge Akheem Mesidor.

Nicknamed “Hurricane,” Bain is expected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming draft, and could be gone when the Bengals are scheduled to select at 10th overall.

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Todd McShay has said he expects the Bengals to strongly consider Bain with the 10th pick. Yahoo! Sports’ Nate Tice has the Bengals taking Bain at No. 10.

“The Bengals go with the antithesis of their first-round selection from a year ago, trading the high-end tools and low-end production of Shemar Stewart with the top-end production and effort but lack of ideal length of Bain,” Tice wrote. “If Stewart taps into even a small portion of his talent and with Boye Mafe joining in free agency, the Bengals’ edge spots could be more impactful in a hurry and feel a lot different soon.”

What to know about Bain, who was a college teammate of Bengals offensive lineman Jalen Rivers for two seasons:

Bain played three seasons for the Hurricanes.

As a junior in 2025, Bain was named second-team Associated Press All-American, ACC defensive player of the year and first-team All-ACC.

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Bain started all 16 games in his final season at Miami, recording 54 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks, an interception, a pass breakup and a forced fumble).

Bain earned the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to college football’s top defensive end. He was a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given to the nation’s top defender with Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity.

As a sophomore in 2024, Bain was named honorable mention all-ACC. He started nine games, and missed four games because of an injury.

A freshman All-American, Bain was named third-team all-ACC and ACC defensive rookie of the year in his first season with the ‘Canes. He led the team that season with three forced fumbles, and tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks.

Lance Zierlein’s NFL comparison for Bain is the Philadelphia Eagles’ Brandon Graham.

“Note taker, grudge holder and block destructor with a compact frame and defensive tackle play strength,” Zierlein wrote in Bain’s NFL.com draft profile. “Bain is ill-tempered with his take-ons, hitting blockers with heavy hand strikes. … Bain’s explosive power and toughness should translate, giving him a high floor as an NFL starter.”

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Daniel Jeremiah compares Bain to former NFL linebacker Melvin Ingram.

A USA Today mock draft had Bain going ninth overall, to the Chiefs.

Interestingly, Bain visited Kansas City one day before his reported Cincinnati visit.

Bain has dismissed post-combine discussion of his arm length. At 30 7/8 inches, Bain’s arms are among the shortest in the class.

“I didn’t hear it until later in the year, but it kind of surprised me because I never heard it all my life,” Bain said at the combine. “I don’t give it the time of day, honestly.”

“Mike Tyson, he wasn’t the tallest guy, wasn’t the longest-limbed guy, but when you felt him, you felt him,” Bain told NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe. “You kept your distance.”

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Police investigate 2 Miami scenes after a shooting that left a man hospitalized

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Police investigate 2 Miami scenes after a shooting that left a man hospitalized



A man is in the hospital after being shot in Liberty City on Wednesday evening, prompting a police investigation that spans two scenes, according to the Miami Police Department (MPD).

The victim, a man in his late 40s, was located at a second scene after the initial gunfire and was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center via ground transport under a “trauma alert”.

The shooting investigation began after MPD received a ShotSpotter alert around 7:21 p.m.. The first scene, where crime scene investigators were seen taking photos outside an apartment building, is along Northwest 58th Street and 13th Avenue. When officers arrived, they found shell casings but no victim.

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A short time later, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office contacted Miami police regarding a second location—Northwest 69th Street and 21st Avenue—tied to the same alert. The victim was found at this second location before being taken to the hospital.

It remains unclear how the victim ended up at the second location. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.



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American Airlines Eyes April 30 Return to Venezuela With Miami–Caracas Flights

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American Airlines Eyes April 30 Return to Venezuela With Miami–Caracas Flights


DALLAS — American Airlines (AA) announced today plans to resume daily nonstop service between Miami (MIA) and Caracas (CCS) as early as April 30. The restart depends on final government approval, security checks, and operational readiness. Envoy Air, American’s regional subsidiary, will operate the route with Embraer 175 aircraft.

The Fort Worth-based carrier continues to coordinate with authorities in both the United States and Venezuela to restore the route. In January, AA announced its intention to be the first airline to reconnect Venezuela with the United States, emphasizing that service would begin only after regulatory approval and security assessments.

American began serving Venezuela in 1987 and was the largest U.S. airline in the country before suspending operations in 2019. Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper described the return to Caracas as both a restoration of a long-standing market and a strategic extension of Miami’s role as AA’s primary Latin America gateway.

This announcement follows the U.S. Department of State’s March 19, 2026 update, which lowered Venezuela’s travel advisory to Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” but continues to warn of risks such as crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and inadequate health infrastructure. Routine consular services in Venezuela remain suspended, with most services provided through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá as the United States begins a phased resumption of embassy operations.

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