After gaining valuable experience as a freshman, Miami defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald is entering Year 2 ready to take the next step. He’s embracing a bigger leadership role in the secondary while focusing on being more physical and making plays around the ball. Fitzgerald also believes going against Malachi Toney every day in practice is helping prepare him for game days.
Defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald
On growing as a leader in the secondary now that he has a year’s experience:
“It’s great. [Defensive coordinator Corey] Hetherman just telling me he just needs me to be vocal, communicating with the guys. If you’re out there with freshmen, just communicate and let everybody know [to] do their one-on-one and we’re going to be alright.”
On fellow defensive back Omar Thornton:
“He’s not scared of [anybody]. He’s going to go through anybody. He’s going to guard anybody. Whatever the coaches need him to do, he’s going to do it with no problems, no questions asked.”
On what he’s doing differently in camp this year after playing as a freshman last season:
“Just being around the ball more. [It’s] not just only about ball hawking. Tackling, being physical around blocks, everything.”
On what it’s like to compete against wide receiver Malachi Toney in practice:
“It’s great. Every one-on-one rep, we go first. It’s just a battle, the best of the best. It’s iron [sharpening] iron. He gets me, I get him. It’s great going against Mali. I’ve said it – I feel like he’s the greatest receiver in the country. So, going against him in practice every day, it’s going to make it easy for me in the game.”
Defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald
On growing as a leader in the secondary now that he has a year’s experience:
“It’s great. [Defensive coordinator Corey] Hetherman just telling me he just needs me to be vocal, communicating with the guys. If you’re out there with freshmen, just communicate and let everybody know [to] do their one-on-one and we’re going to be alright.”
On fellow defensive back Omar Thornton:
“He’s not scared of [anybody]. He’s going to go through anybody. He’s going to guard anybody. Whatever the coaches need him to do, he’s going to do it with no problems, no questions asked.”
On what he’s doing differently in camp this year after playing as a freshman last season:
“Just being around the ball more. [It’s] not just only about ball hawking. Tackling, being physical around blocks, everything.”
On what it’s like to compete against wide receiver Malachi Toney in practice:
“It’s great. Every one-on-one rep, we go first. It’s just a battle, the best of the best. It’s iron [sharpening] iron. He gets me, I get him. It’s great going against Mali. I’ve said it – I feel like he’s the greatest receiver in the country. So, going against him in practice every day, it’s going to make it easy for me in the game.”
