After a breakout freshman year leading the ACC in interceptions, the versatile ballhawk transitions into a leadership role as Pro Football Focus cements elite national status.
MIAMI, Fla. – Ahead of a sophomore campaign, Miami Hurricanes sophomore Bryce Fitzgerald is ranked the third-best returning safety in college football, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 18-year-old is coming off a productive season and looking to build on it.
As a freshman, Fitzgerald arrived at the Coral Gables campus as a four-star top-20 safety recruit from Christopher Columbus High School. The Miami native decided to stick close to home rather than enroll at other Power Four programs, such as Florida, Auburn, LSU, and Texas A&M, among several others.
Following spring practice and fall camp, Fitzgerald carved out a rotational role on the Hurricanes’ secondary. The decision paid off and he ran with every opportunity. In 16 games (four starts), Fitzgerald logged 16 total tackles, 10 solos and six assists, a tackle for loss, a sack, two passes broken up and eight defended, and led the Atlantic Coast Conference with six interceptions.
Although most of the freshman stardom attention was towards wide receiver Malachi Toney, Fitzgerald was a close second. The first week of fall camp comes to an end and he is solidifying a full-time starting role. However, Fitzgerald could be moved around the field. In a YouTube video on his channel, the rising Hurricanes star hinted at a position change from safety to nickelback.
Fitzgerald has the instincts and patience to thrive in the role. He’s already made himself one of college football’s prolific ballhawks, which requires both.
In spring, Fitzgerald alluded to embracing a leadership role, which is another important quality for a nickelback. After taking a backseat as a freshman, he is taking on bigger challenges ahead of the upcoming season.
Last year, the Hurricanes had the fifth-best scoring defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Although several new faces are featured on the roster, the secondary is primarily the same. Fitzgerald shares familiarity with Damari Brown, Xavier Lucas, Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr., Ethan O’Connor, and Zechariah Poyser.
Continuity is rare in today’s college sports world, but the program managed to find it.
Fitzgerald has earned a few early honors, including the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, ACC Preseason All-ACC team (safety), and Bronko Nagurski Preseason Watch List. As a full-time starter, a jump in production is likely bound for the Miami native. Fitzgerald has set several personal goals, including an eye on the Jim Thorpe Award.
The Hurricanes have a motivated sophomore prepared to handle extra responsibilities, both on and off the field.
