Cornerback Takai Azziz brings ball-hawking skills to the Miami Hurricanes' defense, aiming to fill key departures and bolster their championship aspirations.
The Miami Hurricanes sought a tremendous amount of talent through the transfer portal, including ACC Champion quarterback Darian Mensah. Following a National Championship appearance, coach Mario Cristobal and the team are looking to complete what is considered "unfinished business."
As the program has a bunch of high school recruits scheduled for official visits, they made a late acquisition. It was reported on Sunday that cornerback Takai Azziz committed to the Hurricanes through the transfer portal.
He spent two seasons at Allan Hancock College, a junior college in Santa Maria, California. Azziz played in 19 total games, recording 51 total tackles, 37 solos and 14 assists, two tackles for loss, 16 passes broken up, and three interceptions, two of which resulted in pick-sixes. He's listed at 6-3, 180 pounds.
Azziz joins a secondary room that consists of Damari Brown, Xaveri Lucas, OJ Frederique Jr., Zechariah Poyser, and Bryce Fitzgerald.
The Hurricanes lost a couple of key veterans in Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas, both of whom declared for the upcoming NFL draft and were invited to the Combine. They added Omar Thornton and Conrad Hussey through the transfer portal, both previously with Division I FBS programs.
The team was among the best defenses in the nation, especially under the leadership of defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. They look to continue that trend, with Azziz looking to contribute.
It's not the first time that the Hurricanes brought in a player from a small college. Left tackle Markel Bell attended Holmes Community College before joining the program in 2024. Last season, he started in all 16 games, contributing to what was one of the best offensive lines in the nation.
Azziz will look to carve out a similar story. He's a magnet towards the football, similar to Fitzgerald, who grabbed six interceptions last season, one of which was a game-sealer in the first round of the College Football Playoffs against the Texas A&M Aggies.
The California native will have an opportunity to show more of his capabilities when Spring Training opens and potentially carve out a consistent role in the rotation. He will be surrounded by established veterans.
The Hurricanes are viewed as one of the early favorites to win the ACC, which would be a first in program history, and return to the College Football Playoffs to compete for the National Championship. The team reloaded its depth and talent, with Azziz being a bonus for the secondary.
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