The bond between American Heritage High School alumni is growing stronger at the University of Miami as former teammates Davonte Brown and Daryl Porter, Jr. reunite in Coral Gables. Brown transferred from UCF, while Porter joined from West Virginia before the 2022 season. Both cornerbacks are excited about the chemistry they'll bring to the team this year.
“I’m just blessed for the opportunity to play with someone I played with back in the day at Heritage,” Porter said. “The chemistry is going to be there with James Williams, Davonte Brown, so I feel like we’re going to be tighter together this year.”
Porter Jr.'s role in the University of Miami's secondary will be vital this season, as the team looks to solidify its defense following the departure of key starters. As a starter in 2021 at West Virginia, he finished the season with 46 tackles and one interception. Notably, he started against Virginia Tech last season, recording one tackle and allowing two receptions for 16 yards on four targets. Although Porter played 205 defensive snaps for the Hurricanes in 2022 as a backup, his increased role in the upcoming season will be crucial in reinforcing the team's secondary and providing valuable support to the Brown brothers in their quest to elevate the Hurricanes' defensive prowess.
The American Heritage connection will be further strengthened by the upcoming arrival of four-star running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and Davonte Brown's younger brother, four-star cornerback Damari Brown. Davonte Brown is looking forward to playing alongside his sibling, saying, “I don’t know a lot of people who get to play with their little brother. So just having the opportunity for him to come in, I can show him the way, help him, give him tips while I’m here. That’s going to be awesome.”
Davonte, the son of former UM star and two-time national champion Selwyn Brown, expressed his enthusiasm for playing at his father's school. “Very special,” he said. “That was one of the things that helped me make that decision, coming here, just knowing how important the U is and the lineage that it holds.”
The University of Miami's cornerbacks room needed the additions of the Brown brothers after the departure of starters Tyrique Stevenson and D.J. Ivey to the upcoming NFL Draft. The arrival of the Davonte in January and Damari in the summer is expected to play a crucial role in filling this void. With Davonte's extensive experience, having started 31 games for UCF, and Damari's promising talent as a four-star recruit, the siblings will be instrumental in reinforcing the Hurricanes' back end of the defense.
Sources told CanesInSight that the UCF transfer Brown was receiving mid-round NFL Draft grades prior to the 2022 season and if he can continue progressing, getting stronger, and playing with more physicality, he has a chance to put himself squarely on the draft radar again this season.
The role of cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae will be essential in Davonte Brown's development as he steps up into a starting role immediately. Addae's coaching philosophy emphasizes competition and personal growth and Brown has already expressed his appreciation for Addae's approach, stating, "He is not going to let you slack. He is all about that competition. Go out and compete every day and make the people around you better."
