Miami football received strong performances from young players versus Alabama

Several Miami football players who were part of the 2020 and 2021 signing classes made an impact for the Hurricanes against Alabama. Four second-year freshmen combined for 102 of the 179 Miami receiving yards and on defense first or second-year players had Miami’s only sack, two forced fumbles and two tackles for loss.

Wide receivers Xavier Restrepo and Key’Shawn Smith who started and were 2020 signees with the Miami were impressive against Alabama. Restrepo led Miami with 55 yards on three receptions and scored the Hurricanes’ only touchdown. Restrepo played most of the slot snaps after Mike Harley was lost with an injury.

Smith was second on Miami with four receptions and 40 yards against Alabama. Michael Redding III who was a 2020 Hurricanes signee with Restrepo and Smith added one reception for four yards. Second-year freshman running back Don Chaney Jr. had seven carries for 23 yards and one reception for four yards.

First or second-year Miami football players combined for 15 tackles, the one sack and two TFLs. True freshman Kamren Kinchens was impressive after coming in for starting safety Bubba Bolden who was ejected in the first quarter for targeting. Kinchens finished in a three-way tie for the Miami lead with seven tackles.

Kinchen’s 2021 classmate, five-star safety James Williams impressed in more limited playing time with two tackles and 0.5 TFL. Second-year defensive end Chantz Williams had three tackles, the sole sack, one TFL and a forced fumble against the Crimson Tide. True freshman kicker Andres Borregales was also impressive.

Borregales made 28 and 37-yard field goals and both of his extra points. On kickoffs, Borregales averaged 63.67 yards with two of his three kickoffs going into the end zone. Second-year freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was 0-1 passing but ran three times for 17 yards. The young Miami players contributed.

Expect to see more of the young Miami players plus five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor who did not play on Saturday. Restrepo and Smith will be a major part of the WR rotation. Kinchens and Williams are likely to push Bolden and the other starting safety Gurvan Hall. Taylor is too great of a talent to not receive snaps.

Miami has a talented roster in comparison to every team they play this season except for Alabama. The Miami coaching staff has to develop the players they have. Miami should be competitive in their 11 remaining games on the 2021 schedule. That begins on Saturday against Appalachian State.