With veteran leaders gone, Bryce Fitzgerald embraces his new role, ready to guide the Miami Hurricanes' secondary with maturity and on-field prowess.
The Miami Hurricanes faced departures in multiple positions during the offseason, including quarterback, offensive line, and secondary. However, it leaves an open opportunity for others to step into expanded roles, such as Bryce Fitzgerald. The 18-year-old safety is coming off a productive freshman season: 16 total tackles, 10 solos and six assists, a tackle for loss, a sack, two passes broken up, eight passes defended, and a team-high six interceptions, which tied for first in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Fitzgerald had a chance to grow as a player with a couple of valuable leaders in cornerback Keionte Scott and safety Jakobe Thomas, both of whom declared for the upcoming NFL Draft. As the veterans depart, the Miami native looks to pick up where they left off.
“Really just got to stop being a kid,” he said. “You got to change your mindset. You’re a grown man now. So it’s really just, got to do grown man things on and off the field. Leading by example, talking to them, and not letting them do the wrong thing. You got to do the little things so they key into it.”
The Hurricanes’ secondary retained key pieces in Damari Brown, Xavier Lucas, Zechariah Poyser, Ethan O’Connor, and Romanas “OJ” Frederique. They added a couple of more defensive backs through the transfer portal in Omar Thornton and Conrad Hussey.
Fitzgerald had an opportunity to shine on one of the biggest stages of college football: the first round of the playoffs against the Texas A&M Aggies. He grabbed the game-sealing interception in the end zone to secure a 10-7 victory in dramatic fashion.
The former four-star recruit looks to display versatility when called upon, whether it’s playing at safety, cornerback, or nickel. Fitzgerald is prepared to do what’s asked of him.
The Christopher Columbus High School alum was part of the same recruiting class as star wide receiver Malachi Toney. He mentioned that going up against the fellow sophomore sharpens his skill set.
“I feel like if you can go against Malachi, you can guard anybody in the country,” Fitzgerald added. “So just going against him and pushing me every day, I feel like it’s a blessing just to go against him.”
As the Hurricanes seek to remain competitive, especially after revamping the roster, the sophomore defender is poised for another productive season. He has the potential to be a starter, depending on where the coaches put him. More of that will be revealed as spring training unravels.
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