Jacksonville State standout safety Zechariah Poyser, one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal, has committed to the University of Miami (UM), as reported by 247 Sports. Poyser, rated as the No. 2 safety in the portal, adds significant talent to a crucial position for the Hurricanes.
Poyser had an exceptional season with Jacksonville State, registering 75 tackles, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. His ability to disrupt passing plays stood out, with opposing quarterbacks managing just a 57.4 passer rating when targeting his coverage area. In total, quarterbacks completed 33 out of 69 passes for 316 yards (averaging 9.6 yards per reception) and three touchdowns against him. At 6-foot-2, Poyser brings size, athleticism, and two years of eligibility remaining to a UM defense in need of reinforcements.
Poyser, who visited Miami’s campus over the weekend, reportedly received over 30 scholarship offers. Programs such as Florida, Auburn, Georgia, and LSU were all in the mix for his commitment. Notably, Poyser entered the college ranks as a no-star recruit from Wildwood High School in 2023, underscoring his remarkable rise and development.
The Hurricanes have been searching for reliable safety options, particularly as they aim to strengthen a defensive backfield that struggled at times this season. While Jaden Harris is expected to return, his performance ranked among the weakest starting safeties in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Young talents like Zaquan Patterson and Dylan Day offer promise, but UM needed an experienced player like Poyser to solidify the position. Additionally, starting safety Mishael Powell will exhaust his college eligibility after UM’s appearance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State on December 28 in Orlando.
Miami’s Continued Pursuit of Defensive Back Talent
While securing Poyser is a significant win, UM remains active in recruiting additional defensive backs to bolster its roster. Two prominent cornerbacks have recently visited the Hurricanes: Washington State’s Ethan O’Connor and Arizona’s Emmanuel Karnley. While Georgia is considered the favorite to land O’Connor, he also plans to visit Colorado. Karnley, on the other hand, is weighing offers from Miami, Mississippi, and Michigan.
The Hurricanes have also expressed interest in other defensive backs, including South Alabama safety Jordan Scruggs and Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis. Texas A&M is reportedly competing heavily for Davis’ services. Furthermore, UM has reached out to UAB safety Adrian Maddox, who was scheduled to visit Arkansas earlier this week, according to 247 Sports.
Miami’s Quarterback Situation
In addition to shoring up the secondary, UM is in pursuit of Washington State quarterback John Mateer, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal. According to On3.com, Oklahoma is currently considered the frontrunner for Mateer’s commitment. Mateer was scheduled to visit Oklahoma’s campus this week, where his former offensive coordinator at Washington State, Ben Arbuckle, now works.
Mateer emerged as a key player for Washington State this season after replacing Cam Ward, who had previously transferred from UM. He posted impressive numbers, throwing for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Interestingly, Ward himself has reportedly spoken to Mateer about considering UM as a landing spot.
The Hurricanes are making a strong case for Mateer’s services. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, UM has emphasized its ability to develop quarterbacks, using Cam Ward’s success as an example. The program has also pointed out Oklahoma’s struggles on the offensive line, a unit that allowed 46 sacks in 2024, ranking 131st nationally. By contrast, Miami’s offensive line gave up just 23 sacks, presenting a more appealing environment for a quarterback.
For the 2025 season, UM’s quarterback room currently includes Emory Williams, Judd Anderson, and recent signee Luke Nickel. While the Hurricanes have high expectations for Williams, they remain open to adding a top-tier quarterback or a veteran presence to provide competition or depth.
Reese Poffenbarger, who spent a season with UM, opted to transfer to North Texas earlier this week. His departure further underscores the Hurricanes’ need to solidify their quarterback position heading into next season.
Wide Receiver Targets
UM’s pursuit of playmakers continues at the wide receiver position, with several high-profile targets visiting or considering the Hurricanes. North Carolina State’s KC Concepcion, rated as the No. 3 overall player in the portal by On3.com, is set to visit UM this week. Concepcion, a proven playmaker, has already visited Alabama and Colorado and has plans to visit Texas A&M. This season, he caught 53 passes for 460 yards and six touchdowns, following an impressive 2023 campaign where he tallied 71 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Another standout receiver, Eric Rivers from FIU, visited Miami over the weekend. Rivers has drawn widespread attention after leading the Sun Belt Conference with 1,172 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this season. This week, he is visiting Nebraska, Colorado, and Penn State.
UM remains in contention for other notable wideouts, including LSU’s CJ Daniels, Oklahoma State’s De’Zhaun Stribling, and Georgia Tech’s Eric Singleton. Daniels is reportedly considering Miami alongside Mississippi and Alabama. Singleton, meanwhile, is exploring opportunities with multiple SEC programs.
Offensive Line and Special Teams Updates
The Hurricanes have also been active in targeting offensive linemen to enhance their protection and depth in the trenches. Liberty’s Jordan White, a versatile guard/center, and Mississippi tackle Kavion Broussard had initially been top targets for Miami but reportedly canceled their planned visits. Despite this, UM remains in the hunt for additional linemen, including UCF’s Jonathan Cline.
Special teams are another area of focus for the Hurricanes as they look for a successor to kicker Andy Borregales. Miami hosted Louisiana Tech kicker Buck Buchanan for a visit this past weekend as part of their efforts to fill the void.
Conclusion
With the addition of Zechariah Poyser, the Hurricanes have addressed a pressing need at safety, securing a talented player capable of making an immediate impact. However, Miami’s work is far from finished as the program continues to target key players across multiple positions, including quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line, and special teams.
The Hurricanes’ aggressive approach in the transfer portal reflects their commitment to elevating the program and competing at the highest level. With visits and recruitment efforts ongoing, Miami’s roster for the upcoming season is taking shape, and fans can expect further additions as the portal cycle progresses.
