Bryce Fitzgerald’s name keeps popping up this offseason, expectations are for him to have a huge 2026 season. PFF recently ranked the 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back as the No. 3 returning safety in college football, trailing only Georgia’s KJ Bolden and Alabama’s Bray Hubbard.
After breaking onto the scene as a freshman in 2025, Fitzgerald is expected to be one of the leaders of Miami’s defense this fall. He finished last season with 16 tackles, six interceptions, and one sack, emerging as one of the nation’s top playmakers in country.
Fitzgeralds six interceptions were among the best in the country and helped Miami’s late-season run to the College Football Playoff and eventually the National Championship game. Every time the Hurricanes defense needed a big play it seemed like Bryce Fitzgerald was the one making that play.
Bringing him back for another season is a huge win for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. With a full year of experience under his belt, Fitzgerald is expected to take another step forward and continue leading Miami’s secondary as the Hurricanes chase another College Football Playoff appearance.
If he puts together another season like he did in 2025, don’t be surprised if his name starts appearing in early NFL Draft conversations I would expect late first-round pick, early second. Fitzgerald has already shown he can make game-changing plays against top competition like Indiana, Ohio state, and Texas A&M which he had 2 interceptions, he was a main reason Miami pulled off the win. Another productive season would only boost his draft stock. At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds.
PFF’s ranking shows just how highly Fitzgerald is viewed heading into the 2026 season. After breaking out as a freshman, he’ll have another chance to prove he’s one of the best safeties in the country. If he builds on last year’s production, don’t be surprised if he’s in the conversation for All-American honors and one of the top defensive backs eligible for the NFL Draft.
After breaking onto the scene as a freshman in 2025, Fitzgerald is expected to be one of the leaders of Miami’s defense this fall. He finished last season with 16 tackles, six interceptions, and one sack, emerging as one of the nation’s top playmakers in country.
Fitzgeralds six interceptions were among the best in the country and helped Miami’s late-season run to the College Football Playoff and eventually the National Championship game. Every time the Hurricanes defense needed a big play it seemed like Bryce Fitzgerald was the one making that play.
Bringing him back for another season is a huge win for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. With a full year of experience under his belt, Fitzgerald is expected to take another step forward and continue leading Miami’s secondary as the Hurricanes chase another College Football Playoff appearance.
If he puts together another season like he did in 2025, don’t be surprised if his name starts appearing in early NFL Draft conversations I would expect late first-round pick, early second. Fitzgerald has already shown he can make game-changing plays against top competition like Indiana, Ohio state, and Texas A&M which he had 2 interceptions, he was a main reason Miami pulled off the win. Another productive season would only boost his draft stock. At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds.
PFF’s ranking shows just how highly Fitzgerald is viewed heading into the 2026 season. After breaking out as a freshman, he’ll have another chance to prove he’s one of the best safeties in the country. If he builds on last year’s production, don’t be surprised if he’s in the conversation for All-American honors and one of the top defensive backs eligible for the NFL Draft.
