Offseason Additions: Isaiah Dunson (2020 signee), Marcus Clarke (2020 signee)
Offseason Departures: Trajan Bandy (NFL Draft)
Aside from the early departure of Trajan Bandy, Mike Rumph's cornerback room returns all of its talent from last year that helped the Canes rank 18th in the country in passing defense. Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey have played a lot of football for the Canes in their first two seasons; they are now the elder statesman in the room, but the group as a whole still feels young and unproven. You'd have to imagine this excites coach Rumph and the Miami defense. He's done a tremendous job of developing talent over time, and their is so much room for growth within this unit. The cornerback room as a whole looks to take a huge step forward in 2020.
Al Blades Jr. made major strides in 2019, and has not only appeared to become the leader in the cornerback room, but one of the main leaders on the entire team. He brings an infectious energy and confidence that every locker room needs, and his play on the field is starting to match up with his character. He became a reliable piece on the back end for the Canes in 2019, finishing the year with 36 tackles, 2 INT's, and 6 PBU's. His game is well-rounded, his length and physicality can give receivers fits, and he's a very willing tackler in run support. But like I mentioned, along with the rest of the corners, it still feels like Al has more to give. The game-changing splash plays haven't quite shown up on a consistent basis for Blades just yet. The next step in Al Blades Jr's maturation is to go from a reliable guy to a true, game-changing, number one corner for this defense.
Even though he led the team with 3 INT's, the 2019 campaign was a bit underwhelming for cornerback DJ Ivey. Coming out of South Dade High School, the upside with DJ Ivey was unquestioned. He has the prototypical size, and his skills and fluidity in man coverage were obvious. He projected as a true cover guy and was a seemingly perfect fit for what Mike Rumph looks for in his corners. There has undoubtedly been flashes of something special, like his 2 interception game at Pittsburgh. Then those moments are matched with head scratchers, like the fake punt TD against Georgia Tech where Ivey all but fell asleep on the field. Ivey's ability and skill at the cornerback position are plentiful. His lapses more so appear to be a result of a lack of effort and focus at times. If Ivey can find the consistency, there's no reason he shouldn't be in store for a big time year in 2020. Fall camp will be huge for the junior to show that he can be a steady piece in the secondary on the other side of Blades because there are two sophomore corners who appear eager and ready to find their way on the field.
One of those sophomores set for a bigger role in 2020 is Te'Cory Couch. At 5'10 172 pounds with a feisty edge to him, he is the obvious choice to replace Trajan Bandy in the slot corner role. Couch is pesky and hard to get rid of in man coverage. He has a confidence that is noticeable from a mile away. He may not be quite as physical as Bandy was in the run game, but Couch is extremely comfortable in coverage, especially man-to-man. Couch will likely spend most of his time inside, but I believe he has the ability to hold his own on the outside if need be. He appears to have a great understanding of the game and is physically and mentally set for a breakout year in 2020.
Couch's sophomore counterpart is Alabama native Christian Williams. Williams boasts the more prototypical frame at 6'1" 195 pounds. He appeared in all 13 games last year, mostly on special teams. He saw a little more action at the end of the year, but Williams seems to be the wild card in this room just because we just haven't seen that much of him. With his size, strength and ball skills, he has some really exciting potential. By all accounts, the sophomore has made tremendous progress in the weight room and on the field since stepping on campus last year. He was beginning to flash in the first few spring practices this year according to DC Blake Baker, and saw some time with the first team defense. There's a real feeling that Williams could be pushing for some serious playing time behind Al Blades and DJ Ivey.
Coach Mike Rumph brought in 2 new projects in the 2020 recruiting class with Isaiah Dunson and Marcus Clarke. Dunson out of Tucker (GA), again, fits the the prototypical mold that most coaches look for these days at about 6'1" 185 pounds. He was a late add to the 2020 class, but could end up being a great find for Rumph and the Hurricanes defense. I don't anticipate Dunson seeing significant time in 2020 barring injuries, but he appears to fit the mold for the Hurricanes defense.
Fellow 2020 signee Marcus Clarke is more likely to be a candidate to play in the slot standing at about 5'10" 190 pounds. He brings some real-deal speed to the cornerback room and he likely the fastest player out of this group. However, he is still extremely raw at the cornerback position, as a lot of his success in high school was on the offensive side with the ball in his hands. I also don't anticipate Clarke to play significant role in the defense this year, however, he does project as a dangerous return guy with real "take it to the house" ability.
Former walk-on CB Suleman Burrows is now on scholarship as well and will mainly compete for time on special teams.
Bottom Line
There is definitely more depth and experience at Rumph's disposal going into the 2020 season, but that doesn't mean his work isn't cut out for him. This room is swirling with unanswered questions. Can Al Blades Jr. cement himself as true number one lockdown corner? Will DJ Ivey turn into the guy everyone thought he was coming out of HS? Just how good can Te'Cory Couch be? Can Christian Williams push for a starting spot? The progression of the cornerback room is imperative for Miami to continue the success they've had on defense during the Diaz era. The Canes will begin their quest to answer these questions tonight as fall camp kicks off for Manny Diaz and the Hurricanes.
Offseason Departures: Trajan Bandy (NFL Draft)
Aside from the early departure of Trajan Bandy, Mike Rumph's cornerback room returns all of its talent from last year that helped the Canes rank 18th in the country in passing defense. Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey have played a lot of football for the Canes in their first two seasons; they are now the elder statesman in the room, but the group as a whole still feels young and unproven. You'd have to imagine this excites coach Rumph and the Miami defense. He's done a tremendous job of developing talent over time, and their is so much room for growth within this unit. The cornerback room as a whole looks to take a huge step forward in 2020.
Al Blades Jr. made major strides in 2019, and has not only appeared to become the leader in the cornerback room, but one of the main leaders on the entire team. He brings an infectious energy and confidence that every locker room needs, and his play on the field is starting to match up with his character. He became a reliable piece on the back end for the Canes in 2019, finishing the year with 36 tackles, 2 INT's, and 6 PBU's. His game is well-rounded, his length and physicality can give receivers fits, and he's a very willing tackler in run support. But like I mentioned, along with the rest of the corners, it still feels like Al has more to give. The game-changing splash plays haven't quite shown up on a consistent basis for Blades just yet. The next step in Al Blades Jr's maturation is to go from a reliable guy to a true, game-changing, number one corner for this defense.
Even though he led the team with 3 INT's, the 2019 campaign was a bit underwhelming for cornerback DJ Ivey. Coming out of South Dade High School, the upside with DJ Ivey was unquestioned. He has the prototypical size, and his skills and fluidity in man coverage were obvious. He projected as a true cover guy and was a seemingly perfect fit for what Mike Rumph looks for in his corners. There has undoubtedly been flashes of something special, like his 2 interception game at Pittsburgh. Then those moments are matched with head scratchers, like the fake punt TD against Georgia Tech where Ivey all but fell asleep on the field. Ivey's ability and skill at the cornerback position are plentiful. His lapses more so appear to be a result of a lack of effort and focus at times. If Ivey can find the consistency, there's no reason he shouldn't be in store for a big time year in 2020. Fall camp will be huge for the junior to show that he can be a steady piece in the secondary on the other side of Blades because there are two sophomore corners who appear eager and ready to find their way on the field.
One of those sophomores set for a bigger role in 2020 is Te'Cory Couch. At 5'10 172 pounds with a feisty edge to him, he is the obvious choice to replace Trajan Bandy in the slot corner role. Couch is pesky and hard to get rid of in man coverage. He has a confidence that is noticeable from a mile away. He may not be quite as physical as Bandy was in the run game, but Couch is extremely comfortable in coverage, especially man-to-man. Couch will likely spend most of his time inside, but I believe he has the ability to hold his own on the outside if need be. He appears to have a great understanding of the game and is physically and mentally set for a breakout year in 2020.
Couch's sophomore counterpart is Alabama native Christian Williams. Williams boasts the more prototypical frame at 6'1" 195 pounds. He appeared in all 13 games last year, mostly on special teams. He saw a little more action at the end of the year, but Williams seems to be the wild card in this room just because we just haven't seen that much of him. With his size, strength and ball skills, he has some really exciting potential. By all accounts, the sophomore has made tremendous progress in the weight room and on the field since stepping on campus last year. He was beginning to flash in the first few spring practices this year according to DC Blake Baker, and saw some time with the first team defense. There's a real feeling that Williams could be pushing for some serious playing time behind Al Blades and DJ Ivey.
Coach Mike Rumph brought in 2 new projects in the 2020 recruiting class with Isaiah Dunson and Marcus Clarke. Dunson out of Tucker (GA), again, fits the the prototypical mold that most coaches look for these days at about 6'1" 185 pounds. He was a late add to the 2020 class, but could end up being a great find for Rumph and the Hurricanes defense. I don't anticipate Dunson seeing significant time in 2020 barring injuries, but he appears to fit the mold for the Hurricanes defense.
Fellow 2020 signee Marcus Clarke is more likely to be a candidate to play in the slot standing at about 5'10" 190 pounds. He brings some real-deal speed to the cornerback room and he likely the fastest player out of this group. However, he is still extremely raw at the cornerback position, as a lot of his success in high school was on the offensive side with the ball in his hands. I also don't anticipate Clarke to play significant role in the defense this year, however, he does project as a dangerous return guy with real "take it to the house" ability.
Former walk-on CB Suleman Burrows is now on scholarship as well and will mainly compete for time on special teams.
Bottom Line
There is definitely more depth and experience at Rumph's disposal going into the 2020 season, but that doesn't mean his work isn't cut out for him. This room is swirling with unanswered questions. Can Al Blades Jr. cement himself as true number one lockdown corner? Will DJ Ivey turn into the guy everyone thought he was coming out of HS? Just how good can Te'Cory Couch be? Can Christian Williams push for a starting spot? The progression of the cornerback room is imperative for Miami to continue the success they've had on defense during the Diaz era. The Canes will begin their quest to answer these questions tonight as fall camp kicks off for Manny Diaz and the Hurricanes.
