DB's OJ Frederique, Xavier Lucas Are Returning to Miami in 2026

Trinton Breeze

Yesterday at 2:19 PM 1 min read

It’s officially, official. Defensive backs OJ Frederquie and Xavier Lucas is returning to play for Mario Cristobal at Miami.

According to Gaby Urrutia of 247Sports, Miami defensive backs OJ Frederique and Xavier Lucas are both returning to the Hurricanes for the 2026 season.

OJ Frederique got a lot of reps last season. In 2025, he finished with 19 total tackles (12 solo) and 7 passes defended in 10 games. Before that, as a true freshman in 2024, he had 27 tackles, one interception and 7 passes defended.

In 2025, Xavier Lucas, finished with 45 tackles (30 solo), 8 pass breakups, 1 interception and 1 sack in 14 games.

Getting both Frederique and Lucas back helps Miami a lot in the secondary. They’ve both played real snaps and know the system. Keeping those two around gives the Hurricanes more depth and fewer questions in the DB room going into next season.

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Distructobot3000

Yesterday at 2:22 PM

Trinton Breeze said:
It’s officially, official. Defensive backs OJ Frederquie and Xavier Lucas is returning to play for Mario Cristobal at Miami.

According to Gaby Urrutia of 247Sports, Miami defensive backs OJ Frederique and Xavier Lucas are both returning to the Hurricanes for the 2026 season.

OJ Frederique got a lot of reps last season. In 2025, he finished with 19 total tackles (12 solo) and 7 passes defended in 10 games. Before that, as a true freshman in 2024, he had 27 tackles, one interception and 7 passes defended.

In 2025, Xavier Lucas, finished with 45 tackles (30 solo), 8 pass breakups, 1 interception and 1 sack in 14 games.

Getting both Frederique and Lucas back helps Miami a lot in the secondary. They’ve both played real snaps and know the system. Keeping those two around gives the Hurricanes more depth and fewer questions in the DB room going into next season.

Wait, did I miss something? They’re both not eligible for the draft. Are kids making announcements nowadays just to say they’re not leaving, lol

T
TheATLCane

Yesterday at 2:22 PM

Go ahead and mention Damari as well

Calinative

Yesterday at 2:23 PM

Distructobot3000 said:
Wait, did I miss something? They’re both not eligible for the draft. Are kids making announcements nowadays just to say they’re not leaving, lol

Everyone has been doing it when they announce they agreed to a new deal basically

CBurrr93

Yesterday at 2:26 PM

Distructobot3000 said:
Wait, did I miss something? They’re both not eligible for the draft. Are kids making announcements nowadays just to say they’re not leaving, lol

It’s pretty annoying lol gabby just going down the line to make sure every player isn’t leaving

Handsome Squidbum

Yesterday at 2:27 PM

I am also returning for 2026.

Da Jumbo Mutombo

Yesterday at 2:27 PM

TheATLCane said:
Go ahead and mention Damari as well

A whole bunch of posters wanted Damari to leave. They may be upset by this news.

A
ageezy

Yesterday at 2:31 PM

Da Jumbo Mutombo said:
A whole bunch of posters wanted Damari to leave. They may be upset by this news.

personally i was ****ed by his absence in the playoffs ... not mature, but still, you gotta take the shot and play, we got the entire off season to recover

407cane

Yesterday at 2:32 PM

ageezy said:
personally i was ****ed by his absence in the playoffs ... not mature, but still, you gotta take the shot and play, we got the entire off season to recover

you just assume he didn't want to play and it was't a team / coach decision?

C
CaneAlum11

Yesterday at 2:33 PM

Mario should buy all of us premium accounts for withstanding 20 years of cheeks. Otherwise, I might enter the portal

Da Jumbo Mutombo

Yesterday at 2:34 PM

ageezy said:
personally i was ****ed by his absence in the playoffs ... not mature, but still, you gotta take the shot and play, we got the entire off season to recover

As someone who plays sports myself and has a pretty extensive injury history.

Some injuries you just cant muscle through them and push. Not to mention, the impact the injury would have on your ability to perform and the overcompensation involved causing additional injuries.

Im sure the dude wanted to play in the playoffs, why wouldnt he? Injuries happen, you shouldn't hold it against him.

Nowww, what it comes to negotiating NIL. Yea, you hold it against him to reduce price. But emotionally? Cmon man....im sure he wanted more than anyone to be out there and lock down Jeremiah once again.

Yesterday at 2:35 PM

Those 3 being back is huge. Feel like it should be mentioned more but this is a really high level CB room with guys up next

CaneTheGaytors

Yesterday at 2:35 PM

Da Jumbo Mutombo said:
A whole bunch of posters wanted Damari to leave. They may be upset by this news.

I’m glad that he’s back. We need all the depth that we can get, and he played very well in Heatherman’s defense when he was healthy.

MedleyCane

Yesterday at 2:36 PM

CBurrr93 said:
It’s pretty annoying lol gabby just going down the line to make sure every player isn’t leaving

Not a bad idea given today's landscape.

Angry Ibis

Yesterday at 2:36 PM

Da Jumbo Mutombo said:
A whole bunch of posters wanted Damari to do something to live up to the hype.

FIFY

Unsider

Yesterday at 2:37 PM

CBurrr93 said:
It’s pretty annoying lol gabby just going down the line to make sure every player isn’t leaving

That’s what happens when they know the University has…

C
Caniac16

Yesterday at 2:39 PM

Unfortunately this is just the new normal. Glad all 3 are coming back. A little development from everyone and he secondary will be elite

A
ageezy

Yesterday at 2:41 PM

407cane said:
you just assume he didn't want to play and it was't a team / coach decision?

i said i wasn't mature ... cut me some slack

No_Fly_Zone

Yesterday at 2:41 PM

Where are these players' announcements, @Trinton Breeze? Or is your title ****ed grammatically and/or you simply meant to indicate this was "announced" (by Gaby)?

Either way, tighten up. CIS is bigtime now.