The Miami Hurricanes are heading into next season with a few notable gaps in the secondary-but make no mistake, this unit isn’t rebuilding. It’s reloading.
With Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas moving on to the NFL, Miami loses two cornerstone defenders who played pivotal roles during the Hurricanes’ National Championship run. Both were breakout stars from the 2025 recruiting class and each earned Defensive Player of the Game honors in separate College Football Playoff matchups.
That kind of production doesn’t just walk out the door unnoticed. But the ‘Canes have a plan-and some serious talent returning to fill the void.
Cornerbacks OJ Frederique Jr., Xavier Lucas, and Damari Brown are all set to return, and their presence gives Miami one of the most experienced and battle-tested secondaries in the country. This isn’t just about continuity-it’s about proven production.
Let’s start with Lucas. The sophomore corner saw the most action out of the trio last season, appearing in all 16 games.
He racked up 45 total tackles-30 solo and 15 assisted-along with two tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. That pick came in a big moment against Stanford, showing his knack for timely plays.
Lucas did miss the first half of the National Championship due to a targeting call in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal against Ole Miss, a controversial moment that changed the tone of that game early. But when he’s on the field, Lucas is a difference-maker.
He’s physical, smart, and has a nose for the football.
Then there’s Damari Brown, the veteran of the group. He’s been with the program since 2023 and brings a steady, experienced presence.
Unfortunately, injuries sidelined him for the entirety of Miami’s College Football Playoff run, and his absence was felt-especially in the title game. At full strength, Brown is a reliable cover man who understands the system inside and out.
Getting him back healthy is a major plus.
Frederique Jr. also made his mark last season. He finished with 19 total tackles (12 solo), and made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks with seven pass breakups and seven passes defended. That kind of productivity in coverage is exactly what Miami needs as they look to maintain their elite status in the ACC.
Statistically, this group was lights out. Miami’s secondary led the ACC in forced incompletion rate (14.91%) and passer rating allowed when targeted (70.9).
They also ranked third in fewest yards allowed per snap in coverage (0.71), fifth in fewest yards per catch (11.7), and allowed the lowest catch rate in the conference (58.7%). Those numbers aren’t just good-they’re championship-caliber.
And the Hurricanes aren’t stopping there. They’ve added Omar Thornton from Boston College via the transfer portal, and he brings serious juice to an already stacked unit.
Thornton is coming off a monster season with the Eagles: 82 total tackles (56 solo), eight tackles for loss, two sacks, a pick, and four forced fumbles in 12 games. He started 11 of them and was a tone-setter on every snap.
His aggressive, downhill style should mesh well with Miami’s defensive identity.
Also returning are safeties Bryce Fitzgerald and Zechariah Poyser, giving the Hurricanes even more depth and versatility on the back end. Fitzgerald and Poyser aren’t just placeholders-they’re playmakers who can rotate in and keep the pressure on from all angles.
Yes, Miami will miss edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., both of whom are heading to the NFL. But the Hurricanes’ defense still has the pieces to be even better than it was last season. Head coach Mario Cristobal has built this roster with depth and resilience in mind, and the secondary is a shining example of that philosophy.
The message is clear: Miami isn’t going anywhere. With a loaded, experienced secondary and a few key additions, the Hurricanes are gearing up for another run-not just at the ACC, but at the national stage once again.