In the first three games of the season, much of the attention around the Hurricanes has been on their explosive offense, especially quarterback Cam Ward. However, their defense has also been impressive, allowing just 26 points across those games. While they haven’t faced elite competition yet, the defensive unit looks promising.
A standout performer on defense has been freshman cornerback Romanas “OJ” Frederique. A product of St. Thomas Aquinas and a South Florida native, OJ came out of high school as a 3-star recruit. Yet, players from powerhouse programs like St. Thomas often carry untapped potential, and it appears the Hurricanes’ coaching staff has found a hidden gem in him.
Though OJ may not have been a marquee name in Miami’s highly touted 2024 recruiting class, he’s quickly making a name for himself. As a freshman, OJ has started all three games and performed well in each, including the season opener against Florida. In that game, despite being a freshman, he wasn’t heavily targeted by the Gators, and he handled the pressure with ease.
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Coach Cristobal has high praise for the young corner, saying, “The sky’s the limit for him. He’s long, he’s fast, he’s strong, he’s smart, he’s physical, and he is relentless.”
Entering the season, Miami’s secondary was a big question mark, with veteran Daryl Porter Jr. being the only experienced player returning. But after Damari Brown’s injury in the first game, OJ has stepped up to fill the gap.
Though OJ was originally recruited when Jahmile Addae was the DB coach, his current development can be credited to new cornerbacks coach Chevis Jackson, who has done an excellent job so far.
In recent years, Miami has struggled to consistently recruit top-tier cornerbacks, often relying on transfers to fill the position. But now, with the combined efforts of Coach Cristobal, Lance Guidry, and Coach Jackson, it seems the Hurricanes have found a long-term solution at cornerback in OJ Frederique.
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