Miami DE Greg Rousseau opts out of season to enter NFL Draft: ‘Craziest day of my life’
University of Miami star defensive end Greg Rousseau, projected to be a first-round draft choice in the next NFL Draft, will forgo his third and final season with the Hurricanes.
“Craziest day of my life,’’ Rousseau told the Miami Herald by phone Thursday evening, only a few hours after UM coach Manny Diaz dropped the bombshell news at the end of a Zoom videoconference call — one day before UM begins fall camp.
“Man, I’m going to miss my teammates so much,’’ said Rousseau, whose mother is a COVID-19 nurse at Florida Medical Center and whose father works for the city of Miami repairing fire trucks. “COVID does scare me. They’re both at the front lines and I don’t know how that would affect me if I got sick or brought it home to my little brother who has asthma.
“I wish I could have played with them longer. It really does take a piece out of my heart. But I’m doing what’s best for my family.”
Rousseau, who has signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus, would have been a redshirt sophomore this season. As it turns out, he only got to play one full year with the Canes because a broken ankle forced him to miss all but two games his freshman season in 2018.
One of the friendliest and smartest and physically gifted Hurricanes, Rousseau, listed on the UM roster at 6-7 and 265 pounds, was the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year. He led the ACC with 19 1/2 tackles for loss and 15 1/2 sacks. Rousseau’s sack total was second in the nation behind this year’s No. 2 overall NFL Draft choice Chase Young of Ohio State. His TFL count was ninth in the nation.
Rousseau told the Herald he had discussed opting out previously with coaches, but delivered the final decision to Diaz Thursday.
“I can’t thank Manny Diaz enough,’’ Rousseau said. “Some coaches would say, ‘Oh, you’re making a big mistake.’ But Coach Diaz was so supportive, like, ‘I understand.’ He didn’t guilt trip me and that meant so much to me.
“Honestly, I want to be the best me I can be come April and get drafted as high as possible and make Miami proud.’’
After beginning the Zoom call by saying, “As of right now we expect our entire team to be available when we begin practice,’’ Diaz shifted gears when the 20-plus-minute videoconference was about to end.
“Before I let everybody go,’’ Diaz said, “I’ll pass this on. Actually, while we were speaking, Greg Rousseau just let me know that he is not going to play football this fall. He’s opting out.
“We’ve had a great relationship with Greg, discovering him years ago when he was at [Hialeah] Champagnat, an outstanding young man. I want to thank him for everything he’s done for the Miami Hurricanes. And we’re going to support him in every way we can with him looking to achieve his dreams of becoming a great player in the National Football League.’’
Rousseau is from Coconut Creek in Broward County. He played high school football at Hialeah Champagnat Catholic. He becomes one of a growing number of college players who have opted out of the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Another UM star, junior tight end Brevin Jordan, replied to an inquisitive fan on Twitter wondering if Jordan will play for UM in 2020. “Well, obviously,’’ Jordan posted as part of a GIF.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah raves about Rousseau, projected as one of the top pass-rushers in the 2021 draft. ”We’re all familiar with the phrase ‘love at first sight,’ Jeremiah said. “Well, that’s what happened when I studied my first tape of Gregory Rousseau.
“He possesses all of the traits and skills I look for in a pass rusher. He jumps off the screen. I’m usually very cautious when I evaluate players over the summer. Not this time. To borrow a line from one of my favorite sports movies, he ‘had me at hello.…’
“If I had to limit my evaluation to a two-word description, it would be ‘consistently dominant.’”
The day began with excitement for the Miami Hurricanes when the Atlantic Coast Conference released its revised 2020 football schedule.
It continued four hours later when five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, of Miami Palmetto High, committed to the Hurricanes over the Florida Gators to add to UM’s already coveted 2021 recruiting class.
But it ended with a thud heard ‘round Miami Hurricanes fandom when Diaz delivered the Rousseau news.
“My reaction is for Greg personally,’’ Diaz said. “Whatever works for these young men, we’re advocates for them, so we want what’s best for him. If this is [what] he’s chosen, then we will support him. ...It will be next man up. Our guys will be excited to play and I’m sure they’ll be supporting Greg in his decision as well.’’
Other college players who have announced they will opt out of the season include Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 3:06 PM.
