Tag: Miami secondary
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JJ Dunnigan can become Miami’s third-down eraser
JJ Dunnigan does not need to win an every-down job to change Miami’s defense. The freshman’s cleanest early role is becoming the defender Corey Hetherman trusts to erase a third-down matchup. This is a projection based on Dunnigan’s skill set and Miami’s needs, not a report that the staff has awarded him a package. Corey…
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Why Miami should welcome college football’s new targeting ladder
Miami should welcome college football’s experimental targeting ladder because it punishes the dangerous play in front of everyone without automatically making the next opponent part of the penalty. The National Football Foundation and College Football Officiating detailed the 2026 structure this week. Every upheld targeting foul still disqualifies the player for the rest of the…
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Bryce Fitzgerald makes Jim Thorpe Award watch list
Bryce Fitzgerald has been named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list, putting Miami’s sophomore ball hawk in the early national race to be recognized as college football’s top defensive back. A six-interception freshman season made Fitzgerald a natural fit for the honor. He tied for second among all FBS players in the…
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Miami should move Bryce Fitzgerald before quarterbacks stop testing him
Miami should make Bryce Fitzgerald harder to avoid in 2026. Six interceptions as a freshman gave every opponent a reason to locate him before the snap and send the ball elsewhere. Corey Hetherman’s answer cannot be waiting for quarterbacks to challenge the same alignment. Fitzgerald has to move until the coverage makes them find him…
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Zechariah Poyser’s communication can prevent Miami’s worst secondary mistakes
Zechariah Poyser can help Miami’s secondary most by preventing the plays talent cannot fix. A corner may win his route and a safety may have enough range, but one missed check can still leave a receiver uncovered. Communication is the difference between a difficult completion and an assignment bust that becomes six points. Miami’s defensive…
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Xavier Lucas’ practice standard can speed up Miami’s young corners
Xavier Lucas can help Miami’s young cornerbacks most by making difficult practice days feel normal. The veteran said practice is harder than the game and singled out Ja’Boree Antoine as a young defender who has returned stronger after contributing during the Hurricanes’ playoff run. Lucas called Antoine special and said he sees daily growth from…
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Damari Brown’s healthy return can unlock Miami’s press coverage
Damari Brown’s healthy return can give Miami a coverage tool it could not consistently use while he worked back from injury. Brown has the length and experience to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage, allowing the Hurricanes to play more press coverage without building the entire call around helping one corner. Brown said he…
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OJ Frederique’s added weight can strengthen Miami’s run defense
OJ Frederique’s added weight can help Miami solve a problem that begins before the ball reaches his coverage assignment. The cornerback says he now sits between 195 and 200 pounds, giving him more strength to handle the blocks and tackles that decide whether an outside run gains four yards or 40. Frederique said he feels…
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Why OJ Frederique’s draft rise has to show up in Miami’s turnover total
OJ Frederique’s rise to No. 3 in a 2027 NFL Draft cornerback ranking confirms what Miami already knows: He can cover at an elite level. His next step should be more disruptive. The Hurricanes need their best corner to turn tight coverage into interceptions and extra possessions, not only quiet stat lines. Pro Football Network…