Jacksonville State’s Zechariah Poyser, considered one of the best safeties in the transfer portal, signed with UM on Tuesday, giving UM a promising starter at a high-priority position.
247 Sports, which first reported Poyser’s commitment to the Hurricanes, rated him the No. 2 safety in the portal.
Poyser had 75 tackles and three interceptions and two fumble recoveries this season and had a sterling 57.4 passer rating in his coverage area. Opposing quarterbacks completed 33 of 69 passes in his coverage area, for 316 yards (9.6 per reception) and three touchdowns. The 6-2 Poyser has two years of eligibility remaining.
Poyser, who visited UM over the weekend, reportedly had more than 30 offers and also considered UF, Auburn, Georgia and LSU. He was a two-star prospect coming out of Wildwood High in 2023.
UM desperately needed help at safety to supplement a group led by Jaden Harris (who ranked among the nation’s worst starting safeties this season, per PFF) and promising young players Zaquan Patterson and Dylan Day. Starting safety Mishael Powell will be out of college eligibility after the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State on Dec. 28 in Orlando.
They have hosted two cornerbacks on visits: Washington State’s Ethan O’Connor (Georgia is reportedly the favorite and he’s expected to visit Colorado) and Arizona’s Emmanuel Karnley, who has been considering UM, Mississippi and Michigan.
UM also has reached out to South Alabama safety Jordan Scruggs, Arizona cornerback Tacario Davis (Texas A&M also is in heavy pursuit) and per 247 Sports, UAB safety Adrian Maddox, who was scheduled to visit Arkansas on Tuesday.
MATEER CONTACTED
According to On3.com, UM is pursuing Washington State’s John Mateer, considered the best quarterback in the transfer portal, but Oklahoma is considered the favorite.
Mateer was set to visit the Sooners campus on Tuesday; his offensive coordinator at Washington State, Ben Arbuckle, now works at Oklahoma.
Mateer, who replaced UM’s Cam Ward as Washington State’s starting quarterback this season, threw for 3139 yards, 29 TDs and 7 interceptions this season. According to Canesport.com, Ward has spoken to Mateer about playing at Miami.
Per On3.com’s Pete Nakos, “Miami is giving a lot for Mateer to think about. The Hurricanes are selling him on the same development Cam Ward got this season. Miami won’t back down if it comes down to a dollar amount. The Hurricanes are going to chip into Oklahoma’s struggling offensive line, too. The Sooners ranked No. 131 in the country in 2024, allowing 46 sacks. Miami allowed 23.”
UM has three quarterbacks on the roster for 2025: Emory Williams, Judd Anderson and new signee Luke Nickell.
