After packing on 20 pounds of muscle, the Miami Hurricanes' star ball-hawk hints at trading safety for a leadership role at nickelback.
MIAMI, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes’ Malachi Toney was the most popular freshman on campus last season. The electrifying playmaker led the nation with 109 catches for 1,211 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns – receiving (10), rushing (one), and passing (two). However, Toney wasn’t the only Hurricanes freshman to deliver a significant impact.
In the secondary, Bryce Fitzgerald was a reliable rotation piece. He logged 16 total tackles, 10 solos and six assists, a tackle for loss, a sack, two passes broken up, and led the Atlantic Coast Conference with six interceptions. Despite playing in a limited role, he still managed to make the most of those opportunities.
Ahead of a sophomore campaign, Fitzgerald is a projected full-time starter. However, in a YouTube video uploaded on the Miami native’s channel, a position change might’ve been revealed.
“The coaches [are] looking at me as a leader in the room,” Fitzgerald said. “[Nickelback] for us is like [middle] linebacker in the defense. Taking that role in, it’s great. I love that the coaches trust in me.”
Fitzgerald alluded to adding 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason.
Last year, Keionte Scott was the primary nickelback. He thrived in that role, especially in a corner blitz. After the National Championship game, Scott ended a six-year collegiate chapter. The 24-year-old was drafted in the fourth round (No. 116) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Scott quickly reunited with Hurricanes teammate and edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.
During spring practices, Boston College transfer Omar Thornton was the projected nickelback. He has the physical and tackling background to fulfill the role. However, the Hurricanes don’t look away from moving pieces around.
Fitzgerald has the pass-coverage background and speed to blitz the quarterback, which the role requires. The additional 20 pounds of muscle will help in the extra tackles he’ll be making. Fitzgerald at nickelback would allow Thornton to stay at safety and potentially expand freshman James “JJ” Dunnigan Jr.’s opportunities.
In spring practices, Fitzgerald expressed comfort in playing nickelback or any other secondary position. Showcasing the capability of taking on different roles greatly impacts an NFL future. Fitzgerald will be draft-eligible following the 2027 college football season.
The 18-year-old is considered among the top safeties in the sport, but nickelback could be the next calling. More will likely be revealed about the position change throughout fall camp.
Fitzgerald will very likely be available and closer to starting a sophomore campaign.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
