The Miami Hurricanes have added another piece to their secondary, landing a key transfer from the University of Houston. The addition of safety transfer A.J. Haulcy is the latest example of Miami’s aggressive approach to building its roster through the transfer portal, but what makes this commitment particularly notable is the relationship that helped seal the deal — a coaching connection that dates back to Haulcy’s freshman All-American season.
A.J. Haulcy is no stranger to high expectations or high-level production. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound safety made waves early in his college career when he burst onto the scene at New Mexico. As a true freshman, he totaled over 80 tackles, earned All-Mountain West honors, and quickly became one of the most talked-about young defensive backs in the country. It wasn’t long before he became a coveted player in the portal, eventually transferring to Houston in time for the 2023 season. Now, following a productive year in the Big 12 and with two seasons of eligibility remaining, Haulcy is headed to Coral Gables — drawn by the presence of someone he trusts deeply.
That someone is Miami co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Doug Belk, who previously worked with Haulcy during their time at Houston. Belk, a respected defensive mind with stints at Alabama, West Virginia, and Houston, was a key figure in recruiting Haulcy to the Cougars and mentoring him through a pivotal stage in his development. The trust and familiarity built between player and coach played a central role in Haulcy’s decision to commit to the Hurricanes.
Sources close to the program say Miami had been in touch with Haulcy almost as soon as he entered the portal. While other schools expressed interest, it was clear from the start that the Hurricanes had a major advantage. The relationship with Belk, coupled with Miami’s vision for how Haulcy could fit into an already talented defense, made the Hurricanes a natural landing spot. After a short but deliberate process, Haulcy made it official, giving Miami another experienced and versatile defender in the secondary.
For head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff, this is another win in the transfer portal era. Since taking over the Miami program, Cristobal has made it clear that he intends to build a physical, aggressive defense. To do that, he needs athletes who can hit, cover, and think on their feet — traits Haulcy possesses in abundance. Despite not being the biggest safety, Haulcy plays with an edge. He diagnoses plays quickly, flies downhill in run support, and doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s also improved his coverage instincts and can line up in various spots, giving Miami flexibility in how they deploy their defensive backs.
Haulcy’s experience is especially valuable. With 25 collegiate starts under his belt and two seasons of high-level production across two different conferences, he brings a veteran presence that can stabilize the back end of the defense. In 2023 at Houston, he tallied 63 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups in 11 games. Though Houston struggled as a team, Haulcy’s individual performance remained solid. He was frequently used in a hybrid safety role, rotating between deep zone responsibilities and coming up into the box to stop the run — a role that should sound familiar to Hurricanes fans given how Miami utilized its safeties last season.
Miami’s secondary has undergone significant changes this offseason, with several departures to the NFL and through the portal. But the addition of Haulcy helps address some of those depth concerns, while also raising the overall ceiling of the group. He’s expected to compete immediately for a starting job, and his familiarity with Belk’s defensive philosophy could help him hit the ground running during summer workouts and fall camp. The Hurricanes are betting that Haulcy’s instincts and experience will translate into impact plays on Saturdays, and all signs point to him being up for the challenge.
More broadly, Haulcy’s transfer is a testament to how relationships still matter in college football — even in the age of NIL and the portal. While name-image-likeness opportunities and exposure certainly played some role in Haulcy’s decision, multiple sources indicated that his connection with Belk was the determining factor. It’s rare for a transfer to prioritize coaching familiarity over all else, but in this case, it made all the difference. Haulcy has said publicly that he trusts Belk’s ability to develop players and put them in positions to succeed. That trust — forged over countless film sessions, practices, and late-night conversations — ultimately carried more weight than flashier offers from other schools.
For Belk, the reunion is more than just another addition to his room — it’s a chance to continue building a culture. Belk has been praised for his player-first approach and for his ability to develop defensive backs into high-level contributors. Reuniting with Haulcy gives him a proven commodity and a leader who can help set the tone for the rest of the unit. Coaches often talk about “extensions of the staff” on the field, and Haulcy fits that mold. His familiarity with the system, coupled with his vocal presence and physical play, should make him a central figure in Miami’s defensive identity.
The move also reflects Miami’s broader strategy under Cristobal: recruit relentlessly, develop consistently, and supplement the roster with proven transfers who fill specific needs. Haulcy is not just a “best player available” type of get — he’s a player who fills a clear hole on the roster and brings something Miami’s defense lacked: experience, toughness, and positional versatility. He also fits the cultural mold Cristobal and Belk are building: hardworking, unselfish, and intensely competitive.
From a schematic standpoint, Haulcy is likely to be used in a number of ways. Miami’s defensive staff loves to disguise coverages and mix in various blitz packages, which suits Haulcy’s skill set. He’s a natural fit in Cover 3 and quarters schemes, where his ability to read the quarterback and support the run can be maximized. But don’t be surprised if Miami also lines him up closer to the line of scrimmage in certain packages. At Houston, he thrived when given freedom to roam and make plays in the box, often serving as a quasi-linebacker in nickel sets. His willingness to get dirty in the run game and his knack for being around the ball make him ideal for these hybrid roles.
Looking ahead, Miami fans can expect to see No. 11 — the number Haulcy wore at Houston — flying around the field this fall. And while the expectations will be high, Haulcy seems ready for the spotlight. In his brief media availability following the announcement, he spoke about his excitement to play in front of the Miami fanbase and his desire to help the Hurricanes return to national prominence. “I’m here to work,” he said. “I’m here to help this team win and do whatever Coach Belk and Coach Cristobal ask me to do. I’ve been through a lot already in my career, and I know what it takes to be successful.”
That kind of attitude should endear him quickly to both teammates and fans. And if his past performance is any indication, he’s going to make his presence felt on the field sooner rather than later.
In a transfer era where loyalty is often fleeting and players bounce from one school to the next, Haulcy’s move to Miami offers a refreshing twist — a story of mutual trust and unfinished business. For Haulcy, it’s a chance to compete at the highest level of college football with a coach he believes in. For Miami, it’s another step toward building the kind of tough, talented, and cohesive defense that can compete for championships.
Whether or not that vision comes to fruition remains to be seen. But for now, the Hurricanes have landed one of the top available safeties in the portal — and they did it by leveraging something that doesn’t show up on film: a bond built on belief.
