Kamren

Kinchens

Johnson will be placed on injured reserve after suffering the injury in the Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. The safety was re-signed by the Rams over the summer, and was starting at free safety prior to the injury. Kamren Kinchens — the Rams third-round pick of 2024 — will likely see the reps there with Johnson out.

Kinchens (5’11/202) made an immediate impact as a true freshman, starting 5-of-12 games with 44 tackles and four PBU while toggling between free safety and the slot on most of his 554 reps. In 2022 he logged 478 of his snaps either in the box or at FS, paring back his slot responsibilities and allowing Kinchens to free-range more to take advantage of his instincts and ball skills. Kinchens’s play soared as he recorded 59 tackles and 12 PBU to go with an ACC-leading six interceptions in addition to a fantastic 90th% PFF defensive grade that led that nation. With Kinchens being named First-Team All-ACC and First Team All-American, the sky was the limit heading into this season. Kinchens returned another solid effort, posting another 59 tackles, 10 PBU and five interceptions while being named First Team All-ACC for a second time. He missed a few games due to a scary collision that kept him from putting up the All-American caliber season he had the year prior, but he bounced back and was good to go for the Senior Bowl. A right hamstring ailment kept him from testing at the Combine, but when Kinchens hit the field at his Pro Day, he left much to be desired with a sluggish 4.65s 40-yard dash (37th%) and a 9.02” broad jump that ranked in the bottom 7th percentile of historical safety prospects. Throw in a 40th% 13 bench reps and Kinchens’ 2.43 RAS is a glaring red flag on his profile.

Kinchens was focusing his recruiting on Auburn, Texas, A&M and Miami after eliminating LSU from the picture late in May. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound safety is the fifth member of Northwestern High School in Florida to commit to the Hurricanes in this class alone, so we’re guessing they might be pretty good this year if prep football is played. He intercepted nine passes for the program last year, and Andrew Ivins of Miami Insider calls him a ballhawk who can also help in the run game. It’s the 17th known commit for Miami in the 2021 class, and 247Sports ranks this group 12th nationally and third among ACC programs.

Kinchens (5'11/175) considered LSU to be a frontrunner for his pledge earlier in the cycle, but the Tigers are no longer truly in the picture. As for the programs still in this race, the four-star has visited both Auburn and hometown outfit Miami. He has yet to take a trip out to College Station beyond the virtual realm, but plans on making an in-person visit once the current dead period lifts (whenever that might be). Kinchens isn’t quite as high on Nebraska as the three above programs, but if you’re looking for a dark horse in this recruitment, it would be the Huskers. Rivals ranks Kinchens as the No. 168 overall prospect in the 2021 class.

Kinchens (5'11/175) has several visits planned in addition to this Gainesville trip, with Nebraska, Texas A&M and Auburn all in line to receive check-ins from the four-star safety this spring. LSU and Miami are also serious players to keep an eye on, here, as Kinchens sorts through his options. Rivals ranks Kinchens as the No. 163 overall prospect in the 2021 class.