As Miami’s Plantation American Heritage bond grows with Browns, Porter, so does CB room

The Plantation American Heritage bond is growing stronger at the University of Miami.

So is the cornerbacks room.

Fellow cornerback transfers and American Heritage alum Daryl Porter Jr. and Davonte Brown on Tuesday acknowledged the special connection between UM players who are former Patriots — one of them, Brown, looking forward to the summer arrival of talented younger brother Damari, a four-star cornerback out of Heritage.

“You should expect us to bond together well since we already have that camaraderie,’’ said fourth-year junior Brown, 21, who transferred from UCF, which has its own mini UM connection. “Just being together, doing stuff off the field, will help us on the field, too. When you have that connection off the field, you want to play for your brother. I think that’ll make it a lot easier.”

Brown, 6-2 and 185, is the son of former UM star and two-time Hurricanes national champion Selwyn Brown.

Porter, a 5-10, 185-pound fourth-year junior, transferred from West Virginia before the 2022 season.

“I’m just blessed for the opportunity to play with someone I played with back in the day at Heritage,’’ Porter said. “The chemistry is going to be there with James Williams, Davonte Brown, so I feel like we’re going to be tighter together this year.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen until he actually got back here,’’ he said of the elder Brown. “I didn’t even know he was going to enter the portal.”

Heritage connection

Besides safety Williams, the Brown brothers and Porter, the American Heritage connection includes UM running back signee Mark Fletcher, a soon-to-be Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas alum who will arrive in the summer. There’s also UM assistant director of recruiting Mike Rumph, a former American Heritage defensive coordinator and head coach who won a Miami national title in 2001 as a cornerback.

Damari Brown chose UM over Alabama when he made his announcement on the first day of the early signing period in December. No doubt it was a two-for-one UM celebration. The No. 22 overall cornerback in the Class of 2023 according to the 247 Sports composite ranking, Damari said that “a lot of emotion” went into his decision to become a Hurricane.

“Never thought I’d get to this moment,’’ he said. “My whole life, I worked for this. Just seeing it come in front of me was a dream come true.”

Miami lost 2022 starting boundary corners Tyrique Stevenson and DJ Ivey to the upcoming NFL Draft, and Davonte has a strong chance of starting in 2023. He started 31 games for UCF and chose the Hurricanes over FSU. Last season he started every game and had 30 tackles, a forced fumble, and finished second among the Knights with two interceptions and four pass deflections. He also started every game in 2021, finishing with 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and 13 pass breakups.

Asked what it’s like playing for his dad’s school, Davonte didn’t hesitate. “Very special,” he said. “That was one of the things that helped me make that decision, coming here, just knowing how important the U is and the lineage that it holds.”

And what about little brother?

Damari Brown

“Absolutely,’’ he said. “I don’t know a lot of people who get to play with their little brother. So just having the opportunity for him to come in, I can show him the way, help him, give him tips while I’m here. That’s going to be awesome.”

The younger brother has come to several Hurricanes practices this spring. The Canes culminate their 15 spring sessions with the spring game April 14.

“We play the same position, so he’s always out here watching,’’ Brown said. “He’s going to be an extra step ahead.”

Brown said he’s “been tight” with Porter since they graduated from American Heritage and “went off to separate schools.’’

“Always stayed in contact,’’ he said. “Just being able to play with him again brings back the high school memories at Heritage. Also playing with James, too, so just having the opportunity to have a Heritage secondary back there is pretty cool.”

Porter’s choice

Porter, who chose UM from his portal finalists of FSU, LSU and Oregon, started at corner for West Virginia in 2021 and had 46 tackles, five passes defended and one interception. Last season he saw limited action, partly because of injury. He had 11 tackles in nine games, two tackles for loss and one pass breakup.

Porter said he’s focusing on this season without looking back, though he wants to be “more aggressive.’’ He said new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry “has a lot of schemes that are very different from last year” and he’s playing faster now. “I feel like it’s going to go very well.”

Porter’s father, Daryl Sr., served as the Heritage defensive coordinator in 2022 and played at St. Thomas, Boston College and eventually as an NFL safety.

“I’m very thankful to have him in my life,’’ Porter said, adding that his dad’s NFL experience is helping him learn.

The Canes also added sixth-year senior Iowa cornerback transfer Terry Roberts. At nickelback, veteran Te’Cory Couch has excelled this spring.

Brown mentioned his connection with UCF transfer center Matt Lee and new running backs coach Tim Harris Jr., who served as co-offensive coordinator, running backs coach and assistant head coach there.

“They’re on the other side of the ball, so they’re trying to tear our heads off in practice,’’ he said. “But off the field, me and Matt are cool and I was glad he was able to come and join me. Also coach Tim, I know he’s excited to be back home, too.”

What can Hurricanes fans expect from their 2023 cornerbacks?

“Relentless corners that are going to be physical and come to play,’’ Brown said. “We’re going to leave everything out on the field.”

▪ Safety Williams practiced for the first time this spring Tuesday since undergoing off-season shoulder surgery. He wore a red, no-contact jersey.

▪ Expected starting outside receiver Colbie Young wore a red jersey.