Miami Hurricanes continue to bolster secondary with latest transfer portal pledge

The Miami Hurricanes continue to bolster their secondary for the 2025 season through the transfer portal.

The latest addition: Cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, who announced his commitment to UM via the transfer portal on Thursday. Karnley chose Miami over Ole Miss and Michigan.

Karnley spent his first two seasons at Arizona and has three seasons of eligibility remaining. After taking a redshirt in 2023, Karnley played in nine games (with six starts) in 2024 for the Wildcats, logging 16 tackles and five pass deflections.

He is the third defensive back to commit to the Hurricanes via the portal along with Michigan State transfer Charles Brantley and Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser.

Brantley and Karnley will help beef up Miami’s cornerback position where the team is also slated to have three experienced players return next season in OJ Frederique, Damari Brown and Dyoni Hill. UM also is expected to pursue former Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas, a former Plantation American Heritage standout who entered the transfer portal this week.

Poyser, meanwhile, finds himself in the mix at safety where the Hurricanes are projected to also have Zaquan Patterson, Jaden Harris and Markeith Williams return.

This is in addition to four true freshmen who have signed with Miami’s 2025 recruiting class in safety Bryce Fitzgerald as well as cornerbacks Amari Wallace, Jaboree Antoine and Chris Ewald.

Miami overall has received seven pledges via the portal this cycle. In addition to the three defensive backs, the Hurricanes also have commitments from LSU wide receiver CJ Daniels, Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay, FAU kicker Carter Davis and Charlotte long snapper Adam Booker.