After choosing the Miami Hurricanes’ program as the destination for playing out his final season of eligibility last month, Temple grad transfer Quincy Roche took to the podium Wednesday to discuss what went into his decision.
“A great history - a high energy defense, similar to what we did at Temple,” Roche said of UM. “I just thought it would be great here.”
Winner of the 2019 AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Roche recorded 13 sacks for the Owls last season, and will team with sophomore DE Gregory Rousseau (15.5 sacks) in 2020 to make up a fearsome tandem for opposing offenses.
“It helps to have someone as talented as him,” Roche said of Rousseau. “I look forward to the opportunity of learning from him. Hopefully we can get each other better… The fact is, it’s an aggressive defense. It can only make each one of us better. I’m excited, looking forward to the opportunity.”
His first game as a Cane? Ironically, that will be against his former team, the Temple Owls, in the season opener on September 5th at Hard Rock Stadium.
“It definitely is a unique situation,” Roche said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity I have. If I had to do it all over again, I’d do the same thing. I wish everyone the best (at Temple). I’m just trying to maximize this opportunity the best I can.”
What will he be working on to improve this offseason?
“Just being consistent,” Roche said. “Consistency is a big thing, still being dominant in the pass rush game, the run game, making plays in space, being an overall complete player.”
By some estimations, Roche was projected as a 3rd-4th round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, but he elected to come back to school for his final season of eligibility.
"Just being honest with myself, I thought I had a lot more to learn as a player," Roche said. "I thought I was a great fit for the defense, will be able to develop and become a better player here."
In practice every day, Roche will be getting after fellow grad transfer QB D’Eriq King, someone he faced off against in 2018 when King was at Houston and Roche was at Temple (Houston won the game, 59-49).
"He’s one of the most dynamic players I ever played against - he's really a dynamic player,” Roche said. “I'm kind of happy I don't have to play against him. I think he'll do great things on the offensive side of the ball."
**Last season, K Jose Borregales was hitting multiple 50+ yard field goals to help FIU upset the Hurricanes.
This year? He’s joined his former foe and transferred across town to hopefully be the solution to Miami’s kicking woes – UM was 12 of 20 kicking field goals in 2019 after cycling through 3 different kickers.
"Now, as a Hurricane, I’ll tell coach to give me a chance, I’m going to make them,” Borregales said. “I’m just happy to be here, be a Hurricane. It’s a dream come true.”
Borregales is already on campus to participate in spring ball, and spoke about why he made the choice to switch programs for his final season.
“Just having a degree from the University of Miami is a big deal - outside of football, you can get any job you want in your field,” Borregales said. “That’s one of the decisions I had, school-wise. Also, I’m doing my masters, it’s something I really wanted to do.”
A Lou Groza Award finalist for the nation’s top kicker in 2018, Borregales is 50-66 (76%) on FG’s in his 3 year career, including a 131-134 (98%) mark on extra points, and the local product from Booker T. Washington explained his kicking process and mentality when preparing for a kick.
"I wait until second or third down to start hitting some balls in the net, once it's third down I walk out to where the ball is, I jog out there not too fast," Borregales said. "When I'm out there I'm not thinking about the fans, how long the kick is. I'm doing my mental steps of three steps back, two to the side, get comfortable and get ready to go."
What will he be working on this offseason?
“Just consistency, that’s something you can always work on,” Borregales said. “I’m not perfect, but I strive to be… Just working on your craft every single day.”
While the expectation is certainly that Borregales will start from day 1 over last season’s incumbent Camden Price, he says he is not resting on his laurels.
"No spot is secure, I'm ready to work and compete.”
“A great history - a high energy defense, similar to what we did at Temple,” Roche said of UM. “I just thought it would be great here.”
Winner of the 2019 AAC Defensive Player of the Year, Roche recorded 13 sacks for the Owls last season, and will team with sophomore DE Gregory Rousseau (15.5 sacks) in 2020 to make up a fearsome tandem for opposing offenses.
“It helps to have someone as talented as him,” Roche said of Rousseau. “I look forward to the opportunity of learning from him. Hopefully we can get each other better… The fact is, it’s an aggressive defense. It can only make each one of us better. I’m excited, looking forward to the opportunity.”
His first game as a Cane? Ironically, that will be against his former team, the Temple Owls, in the season opener on September 5th at Hard Rock Stadium.
“It definitely is a unique situation,” Roche said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity I have. If I had to do it all over again, I’d do the same thing. I wish everyone the best (at Temple). I’m just trying to maximize this opportunity the best I can.”
What will he be working on to improve this offseason?
“Just being consistent,” Roche said. “Consistency is a big thing, still being dominant in the pass rush game, the run game, making plays in space, being an overall complete player.”
By some estimations, Roche was projected as a 3rd-4th round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, but he elected to come back to school for his final season of eligibility.
"Just being honest with myself, I thought I had a lot more to learn as a player," Roche said. "I thought I was a great fit for the defense, will be able to develop and become a better player here."
In practice every day, Roche will be getting after fellow grad transfer QB D’Eriq King, someone he faced off against in 2018 when King was at Houston and Roche was at Temple (Houston won the game, 59-49).
"He’s one of the most dynamic players I ever played against - he's really a dynamic player,” Roche said. “I'm kind of happy I don't have to play against him. I think he'll do great things on the offensive side of the ball."
**Last season, K Jose Borregales was hitting multiple 50+ yard field goals to help FIU upset the Hurricanes.
This year? He’s joined his former foe and transferred across town to hopefully be the solution to Miami’s kicking woes – UM was 12 of 20 kicking field goals in 2019 after cycling through 3 different kickers.
"Now, as a Hurricane, I’ll tell coach to give me a chance, I’m going to make them,” Borregales said. “I’m just happy to be here, be a Hurricane. It’s a dream come true.”
Borregales is already on campus to participate in spring ball, and spoke about why he made the choice to switch programs for his final season.
“Just having a degree from the University of Miami is a big deal - outside of football, you can get any job you want in your field,” Borregales said. “That’s one of the decisions I had, school-wise. Also, I’m doing my masters, it’s something I really wanted to do.”
A Lou Groza Award finalist for the nation’s top kicker in 2018, Borregales is 50-66 (76%) on FG’s in his 3 year career, including a 131-134 (98%) mark on extra points, and the local product from Booker T. Washington explained his kicking process and mentality when preparing for a kick.
"I wait until second or third down to start hitting some balls in the net, once it's third down I walk out to where the ball is, I jog out there not too fast," Borregales said. "When I'm out there I'm not thinking about the fans, how long the kick is. I'm doing my mental steps of three steps back, two to the side, get comfortable and get ready to go."
What will he be working on this offseason?
“Just consistency, that’s something you can always work on,” Borregales said. “I’m not perfect, but I strive to be… Just working on your craft every single day.”
While the expectation is certainly that Borregales will start from day 1 over last season’s incumbent Camden Price, he says he is not resting on his laurels.
"No spot is secure, I'm ready to work and compete.”
