Jacksonville State’s Zechariah Poyser, considered one of the best safeties in the transfer portal, told 247 Sports that he will transfer to UM, giving the Hurricanes a talented starter at a high-priority position. 247 rates him the No. 2 safety in the portal.
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Poyser had 75 tackles and three interceptions and two fumble recoveries this season and had a sterling 57.4 passer rating in his coverage area. Opposing quarterbacks completed 33 of 69 passes in his coverage area for 316 yards (9.6 per reception) and three touchdowns. The 6-2 Poyser has two years of eligibility remaining. Poyser, who visited UM over the weekend, reportedly had more than 30 offers and also considered UF, Auburn, Georgia and LSU.
He was a no-star prospect coming out of Wildwood High in 2023. UM desperately needed help at safety to supplement a group led by Jaden Harris (who ranked among the nation’s worst starting safeties this season, per PFF) and promising young players Zaquan Patterson and Dylan Day. Starting safety Mishael Powell will be out of college eligibility after the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State on Dec. 28 in Orlando.
The Canes, meanwhile, continue their pursuit of other defensive backs. They have hosted two cornerbacks on visits: Washington State’s Ethan O’Connor (Georgia is reportedly the favorite and he’s expected to visit Colorado) and Arizona’s Emmanuel Karnley, who has been considering UM, Mississippi and Michigan.
UM also has reached out to South Alabama safety Jordan Scruggs, Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis (Texas A&M also is in heavy pursuit) and per 247 Sports, UAB safety Adrian Maddox, who was scheduled to visit Arkansas on Tuesday. QB Mateer contacted According to On3.com, UM is pursuing Washington State’s John Mateer, considered the best quarterback in the transfer portal, but Oklahoma is considered the favorite.
Mateer was set to visit the Sooners campus Tuesday; his offensive coordinator at Washington State, Ben Arbuckle, now works at Oklahoma. Mateer, who replaced UM’s Cam Ward as Washington State’s starting quarterback this season, threw for 3,139 yards, 29 TDs and seven interceptions this season. According to Canesport.com, Ward has spoken to Mateer about playing at Miami. Per On3.com’s Pete Nakos, “Miami is giving a lot for Mateer to think about.
The Hurricanes are selling him on the same development Cam Ward got this season. Miami won’t back down if it comes down to a dollar amount. The Hurricanes are going to chip into Oklahoma’s struggling offensive line, too. The Sooners ranked No. 131 in the country in 2024, allowing 46 sacks. Miami allowed 23.” UM has three quarterbacks on the roster for 2025: Emory Williams, Judd Anderson and new signee Luke Nickel.
Reese Poffenbarger, who spent one season at UM, transferred to North Texas this week. The Hurricanes have high regard for Williams, but they’re open to adding a top quarterback if one becomes available. Otherwise, they could add a veteran to compete with Williams or back him up. ▪ North Carolina State’s KC Concepcion, one of the top receivers in the transfer portal, will visit UM on Wednesday, per On3.com, which ranks him third best among all players in the portal.
He already visited Alabama and Colorado and plans to visit Texas A&M. Concepcion caught 53 passes for 460 yards and six touchdowns this season, after catching 71 passes for 839 yards and 10 TDs in 2023. Meanwhile, standout FIU receiver Eric Rivers, who visited UM over the weekend, is visiting Nebraska, Colorado and Penn State this week. He led the Sun Belt in both touchdown receptions (12) and receiving yards (1,172).
Other receivers who have visited or plan to visit UM include LSU’s CJ Daniels (the Canes are thought to have a good chance against Mississippi and Alabama), Oklahoma State’s De’Zhaun Stribling and Georgia Tech’s Eric Singleton, who is considering several SEC schools.
▪ Liberty guard/center Jordan White, one of UM’s top interior line targets, and Mississippi tackle Kavion Broussard reportedly canceled visits to Miami. But UM reportedly is in the mix for other linemen, including UCF’s Jonathan Cline. ▪ In its search for Andy Borregales’ successor, Miami hosted a visit with Louisiana Tech kicker Buck Buchanan this past weekend. Buchanan — who hit 13 of 20 field-goal attempts and 29 of 31 extra points — is considering Miami, Colorado, Houston and Arkansas.
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