Bolstered by veteran continuity and rising star Bryce Fitzgerald, the Miami Hurricanes' defensive backfield blends elite returning talent with impact additions to maintain powerhouse status.
MIAMI, Fla. – A few new faces at the line of scrimmage, but the Miami Hurricanes’ secondary has continuity as the second week of fall camp starts.
Outside of Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas’ departures, Mario Cristobal and the program retained several defensive backs from last season. Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr., Xavier Lucas, Damari Brown, Ethan O’Connor, Bryce Fitzgerald, and Zechariah Poyser are the main returning veterans. They each had a role in the Hurricanes having the fifth-best scoring defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Although roles are subject to change, the established familiarity should lead to success for the upcoming regular season. In today’s college sports world, locker rooms can change significantly. Regardless of schemes, it takes playing as one unit for a secondary to be impactful.
Fitzgerald is the rising star of the group. As a freshman, in a reserve role, the Miami native delivered a significant, immediate impact. Fitzgerald led the Atlantic Coast Conference with six interceptions, including a game-sealer in the first round of the College Football Playoffs against Texas A&M.
The 18-year-old joined the program as a freshman, but hinted at a move to nickelback.
Frederique Jr., Lucas, Brown, Poyser, and O’Connor will be eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft. They each have the choice after the season to chase professional football or return to college for another year. It can provide extra motivation for them to be impactful on the field. Frederique Jr. is the highly-touted prospect amongst the group, but everyone else will have opportunities to make themselves known to NFL scouts and executives.
A name to keep an eye on this upcoming season: Ja’Boree Antoine. He logged only 87 snaps in 12 games last season as a freshman, including seven total tackles and a pass broken up. Antoine could see an increased role ahead of a sophomore campaign.
The Hurricanes’ secondary will feature a new member in Boston College transfer Omar Thornton. He can play both nickelback and safety. Thornton has a reputation for being a hard tackler, which makes him an immediate fit.
Among the new freshmen, JJ Dunnigan has gathered attention and could deliver an immediate impact. He was a four-star top-15 safety recruit coming from Manhattan High School. Dunnigan has the opportunity to carve out a rotational role, similar to Fitzgerald, as fall camp continues.
The Hurricanes' defensive backs have gone head-to-head with the wide receivers. It gets intense, as they win and lose some reps. As the saying goes, “iron sharpens iron.” The Hurricanes’ secondary is shaping up in game-day form, looking to compete among the nation’s best.
