Summer Additions: Christian Williams (2019 signee), Te’Cory Couch (2019 signee)
Summer Departures: None
In 2018, the Miami Hurricanes actually led the nation in passing defense, giving up a paltry 135.6 yards per game. While the players in the secondary deserve to be commended for ultimately doing their job, that number is slightly misleading when you consider the competition. UM only played one passing offense in the national top 40 in passing yards per game, and that opponent, Florida State (28th), was completely outclassed by Miami in the trenches on offense and gave their QB no time to throw. The Canes continued their trend of having coverage lapses at key times, and Miami still went stretches of games making average QB’s look like world beaters. All this to say that while UM’s corners helped make the secondary an overall positive for the defense in 2018, there is still room for improvement to be had when looking towards this season.
The only real returning corner with experience was arguably UM’s most reliable cover guy last season, as it was rare to see junior Trajan Bandy get beat in 2018. Bandy led UM in passes broken up with 8, tied for the team lead with 3 INT’s, and led all DB’s with 4.5 TFL. Bandy has proven to be a sure tackler for Miami and shown the initiative to learn his craft. He’s not a prototypical #1 corner at 5’9”, but he’s well-built, uses advanced technique to play bigger than his size, and has the type of versatility where he can play both outside and inside when needed. Bandy was an invaluable presence to a young corner group this spring and he was consistently leaned on by the rest of Miami’s inexperienced secondary as a mentoring figure.
The real battle is going on for #2 cornerback, and most feel that it is DJ Ivey that has a slight lead there coming out of spring ball. Cornerbacks coach Rumph compared Ivey to himself in an interview this spring, never a bad thing for a young player looking to earn a starting role. Ivey uses his length well and plays physically, two attributes that Rumph wants to see from his corners. Team sources feel Ivey could have an All-ACC type season if he stays healthy. Blades is close behind, but is making more mistakes out there right now. Regardless, both will play a ton this season and have bright futures at UM.
The only other corner that participated in spring was Nigel Bethel, who redshirted as a freshman last season. Bethel was considered a track star that would be a project as a football player when he came to UM, and it seems that the process is still ongoing. Bethel is still not where the staff wants him to be size-wise at 6’0” 170 pounds, but this spring he looked like he could get reps if needed, although he’s still well behind Ivey and Blades.
Over the summer, UM added 4-star corners Christian Williams and Te’Cory Couch from the 2019 class and Rumph expects both to see time this season. Williams is the more highly-regarded of the two, and has the prototypical size and length at 6’1” that many scouts are salivating over these days. Couch was almost a guarantee to redshirt, as he was only 150 pounds after his senior season of HS, but he’s added 20 pounds over the offseason and has given himself a chance to earn a role.
Bottom Line
In a passing era of college football where it’s almost essential to have 3-4 quality corners, the lack of unproven depth and sheer numbers at corner is a concern, and I am surprised UM did not bring in more here over the off-season. The battle for the #2 role between two prospects with elite potential in Blades and Ivey will be fun to watch this fall, while Bethel, Williams, and Couch fight for the #4 job and cleanup reps.
The good news is that even though they have the ability to be a stout group, with all else considered, the cornerback unit does not have to be all-world. The rest of Miami’s defense is ACC Championship caliber, and a ferocious and deep Miami front 7 will cover up for a lot of the secondary’s mistakes. Miami can still achieve their goal of winning the Coastal division even with average play at corner; however, this group of Canes will be sure to aim higher.
I see a lot of comparisons to the 2017 season, where Miami also really only brought back one experienced corner in Malek Young and had to rely on talented, but unproven players to fill out the rotation. 2017 ended up working out just fine for the #28 UM scoring defense, and Mike Rumph will have to work that magic again to get the most out of his cornerback group in 2019.
Summer Departures: None
In 2018, the Miami Hurricanes actually led the nation in passing defense, giving up a paltry 135.6 yards per game. While the players in the secondary deserve to be commended for ultimately doing their job, that number is slightly misleading when you consider the competition. UM only played one passing offense in the national top 40 in passing yards per game, and that opponent, Florida State (28th), was completely outclassed by Miami in the trenches on offense and gave their QB no time to throw. The Canes continued their trend of having coverage lapses at key times, and Miami still went stretches of games making average QB’s look like world beaters. All this to say that while UM’s corners helped make the secondary an overall positive for the defense in 2018, there is still room for improvement to be had when looking towards this season.
The only real returning corner with experience was arguably UM’s most reliable cover guy last season, as it was rare to see junior Trajan Bandy get beat in 2018. Bandy led UM in passes broken up with 8, tied for the team lead with 3 INT’s, and led all DB’s with 4.5 TFL. Bandy has proven to be a sure tackler for Miami and shown the initiative to learn his craft. He’s not a prototypical #1 corner at 5’9”, but he’s well-built, uses advanced technique to play bigger than his size, and has the type of versatility where he can play both outside and inside when needed. Bandy was an invaluable presence to a young corner group this spring and he was consistently leaned on by the rest of Miami’s inexperienced secondary as a mentoring figure.
The real battle is going on for #2 cornerback, and most feel that it is DJ Ivey that has a slight lead there coming out of spring ball. Cornerbacks coach Rumph compared Ivey to himself in an interview this spring, never a bad thing for a young player looking to earn a starting role. Ivey uses his length well and plays physically, two attributes that Rumph wants to see from his corners. Team sources feel Ivey could have an All-ACC type season if he stays healthy. Blades is close behind, but is making more mistakes out there right now. Regardless, both will play a ton this season and have bright futures at UM.
The only other corner that participated in spring was Nigel Bethel, who redshirted as a freshman last season. Bethel was considered a track star that would be a project as a football player when he came to UM, and it seems that the process is still ongoing. Bethel is still not where the staff wants him to be size-wise at 6’0” 170 pounds, but this spring he looked like he could get reps if needed, although he’s still well behind Ivey and Blades.
Over the summer, UM added 4-star corners Christian Williams and Te’Cory Couch from the 2019 class and Rumph expects both to see time this season. Williams is the more highly-regarded of the two, and has the prototypical size and length at 6’1” that many scouts are salivating over these days. Couch was almost a guarantee to redshirt, as he was only 150 pounds after his senior season of HS, but he’s added 20 pounds over the offseason and has given himself a chance to earn a role.
Bottom Line
In a passing era of college football where it’s almost essential to have 3-4 quality corners, the lack of unproven depth and sheer numbers at corner is a concern, and I am surprised UM did not bring in more here over the off-season. The battle for the #2 role between two prospects with elite potential in Blades and Ivey will be fun to watch this fall, while Bethel, Williams, and Couch fight for the #4 job and cleanup reps.
The good news is that even though they have the ability to be a stout group, with all else considered, the cornerback unit does not have to be all-world. The rest of Miami’s defense is ACC Championship caliber, and a ferocious and deep Miami front 7 will cover up for a lot of the secondary’s mistakes. Miami can still achieve their goal of winning the Coastal division even with average play at corner; however, this group of Canes will be sure to aim higher.
I see a lot of comparisons to the 2017 season, where Miami also really only brought back one experienced corner in Malek Young and had to rely on talented, but unproven players to fill out the rotation. 2017 ended up working out just fine for the #28 UM scoring defense, and Mike Rumph will have to work that magic again to get the most out of his cornerback group in 2019.
