Miami defensive back Davonte Brown commits to FSU football out of NCAA transfer portal

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Mon, Jan 8, 2024, 5:46 PM·3 min read

Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Davonte Brown (7) stops North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Nate McCollum (6) during the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State football has landed its fifth NCAA transfer portal commitment in 48 hours.

The program announced Monday that Miami defensive back Davonte Brown has committed to FSU. It's the second defensive back gain out of the portal following Alabama Earl Little Jr's. commitment to the Seminoles on Saturday.

This is the 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pound fourth-year junior's second college program as he transferred to Miami from UCF at the end of the 2022-23 season. Brown saw action in 11 games this season, recording 10 tackles, nine solo and a pass deflection.

During his time at UCF, from 2020 to 2022, he recorded 96 tackles, 21 pass deflections and three interceptions over 36 games. He started in 31 games at UCF.

Brown is a native of Plantation, Florida, located directly west of Fort Lauderdale in Broward County.

He attended American Heritage High School, making 20 tackles, 14 solo, and an interception as a senior in 2019. That season he helped American Heritage to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the FHSAA 5A regional final where the Patriots fell 23-20 to Miami Northwestern.

In high school, Brown was a 3-star prospect and the No. 88 ranked cornerback in the Class of 2020. He committed to UCF over Miami, UNC, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pittsburgh.

When he entered the portal in Dec. 2022, FSU head coach Mike Norvell did visit Brown before he ended up committing to Miami five days later.

“Davonte has great experience and versatility in the defensive backfield," Norvell said in a press release announcing Brown's signing along with the signings of wide receiver Jalen Brown, defensive lineman Grady Kelly, defensive back Earl Little Jr. and running back Jaylin Lucas.

"He brings great size and speed with playmaking ability. Davonte is a smart and mature young man who will transition to safety, which will be a tremendous addition to the defensive backs room.”

Brown joins a deep secondary room made up of Fentrell Cypress, Greedy Vance, Kevin Knowles II, Shyheim Brown, Azareye'h Thomas, Quindarrius Jones, Conard Hussey, Ja'Bril Rawls, Ashlynd Barker, Edwin Joseph, KJ Kirkland, Charles Lester III, Jamari Howard, Cai Bates, Ricky Knight III and Little Jr.

FSU did not lose any defensive backs to the portal but saw Jarrian Jones, Akeem Dent and Renardo Green all declare for the NFL Draft.