Miami safety Kamren Kinchens spoke about the upcoming season during the 2023 ACC Kickoff. Kinchens, a standout performer on Miami's defense, discussed the strengths of his team, the challenges they face, and his ambitions to be part of the best safety duo in the country.
"The front seven… those are some dogs, especially the transfer Kiko (Francisco Mauigoa). With Corey Flagg, Wesley, and those guys coming back with some experience under their belt, and then you’ve got Akheem (Messidor), Reuben (Bain), Nyjalik (Kelly), Jahfari (Harvey), LT (Leonard Taylor), Branson (Deen), we're pretty loaded," Kinchens stated with confidence.
Kinchens singled out Davonte Brown and Daryl Porter as guys he is excited about in the secondary, as well as calling himself and James Williams, “arguably the best safety duo.”
While addressing the expectations of being part of the best safety duo in the country alongside James, Kinchens noted, "It's one of those things you see on social media. We don't try to buy into it, don't take away from our work ethic and all the extra work we put in together to make sure it happens."
Kinchens was asked how helpful it is to have a coach in Mario Cristobal who has his own south Florida roots. “It’s great. He knows the background that we come from and the Miami culture. It starts all the way at youth football – football is not a joke down here.”
Regarding the pressure to return Miami to its former glory, Kinchens reflected on the legacy of the great safeties who have come before him. "Of course, there's pressure, but we're taking all the lessons from those guys. They always try to come back and give us notes on how to be great. It's all about being a student of the game."
A self-confessed 'film junkie', Kinchens credits his football development to the veterans who have imparted their knowledge and experience. "The biggest thing is the physicality and of course the playbook - knowing it in and out," he mentioned. Drawing inspiration from Miami legends like Dan Morgan, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Sean Taylor, Kinchens expressed the importance of being a student of the game.
“Those guys weren’t just waking up and becoming that. It was always about something they were doing extra and that’s what they try to instill in us, as well as Coach Cristobal,” Kinchens said.
Being part of a community, giving back, and acknowledging his humble beginnings also came up during Kinchens' interview. "My parents and the guys from Northwestern instilled in me a sense of community and pride. We didn't have the most, but anytime we had extra, we found a way to give back," he said. This humility and desire to help others is evidently a driving force behind Kinchens' impressive work ethic.
"The front seven… those are some dogs, especially the transfer Kiko (Francisco Mauigoa). With Corey Flagg, Wesley, and those guys coming back with some experience under their belt, and then you’ve got Akheem (Messidor), Reuben (Bain), Nyjalik (Kelly), Jahfari (Harvey), LT (Leonard Taylor), Branson (Deen), we're pretty loaded," Kinchens stated with confidence.
Kinchens singled out Davonte Brown and Daryl Porter as guys he is excited about in the secondary, as well as calling himself and James Williams, “arguably the best safety duo.”
While addressing the expectations of being part of the best safety duo in the country alongside James, Kinchens noted, "It's one of those things you see on social media. We don't try to buy into it, don't take away from our work ethic and all the extra work we put in together to make sure it happens."
Kinchens was asked how helpful it is to have a coach in Mario Cristobal who has his own south Florida roots. “It’s great. He knows the background that we come from and the Miami culture. It starts all the way at youth football – football is not a joke down here.”
Regarding the pressure to return Miami to its former glory, Kinchens reflected on the legacy of the great safeties who have come before him. "Of course, there's pressure, but we're taking all the lessons from those guys. They always try to come back and give us notes on how to be great. It's all about being a student of the game."
A self-confessed 'film junkie', Kinchens credits his football development to the veterans who have imparted their knowledge and experience. "The biggest thing is the physicality and of course the playbook - knowing it in and out," he mentioned. Drawing inspiration from Miami legends like Dan Morgan, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Sean Taylor, Kinchens expressed the importance of being a student of the game.
“Those guys weren’t just waking up and becoming that. It was always about something they were doing extra and that’s what they try to instill in us, as well as Coach Cristobal,” Kinchens said.
Being part of a community, giving back, and acknowledging his humble beginnings also came up during Kinchens' interview. "My parents and the guys from Northwestern instilled in me a sense of community and pride. We didn't have the most, but anytime we had extra, we found a way to give back," he said. This humility and desire to help others is evidently a driving force behind Kinchens' impressive work ethic.
