30 key Miami Hurricanes for 2025 season: Can OJ Frederique build on freshman year?
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Sunday with a marquee matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC).
With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.
Today: The No. 5 player on our list, OJ Frederique Jr.
What to know
Position: Cornerback
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale
Year: Sophomore
How he got to Miami: 2024 recruiting class
Key stats: 30 tackles, seven pass breakups, one interceptions in 13 games (seven starts) as a freshman in 2024.
In summary: OJ Frederique wasn’t the Hurricane’s highest-rated recruit in the Class of 2024 — the 247Sports composite ranking had him as just a three-star prospect and the No. 67 cornerback nationally in the class — but he was certainly the team’s most impactful true freshman last season. Frederique contributed immediately and was one of Miami’s few consistent cornerbacks in a shaky secondary. According to Pro Football Focus, Frederique allowed just 14 of 38 passes that came his way to be caught for 161 yards and two touchdowns. He will have reinforcements around him this year in a revamped secondary headlined by a half dozen transfers.
What they’re saying
“He came in with a lot to prove. Being a big, long, physical guy that can run, we saw what we saw when he was here in camp. I think he surprised, or he took everybody by surprise, with the level of which he played at. He’s a guy that really can do everything in your system. He could play man coverage, he could play zone, he could play off, he could play force, he could play the nickel spot, play safety. He is a really good tackler. He’s a guy that can set the edge as well. Those guys are hard to find. When a guy that’s now approaching, he’s 190 probably between 190 and 200-pounds, it makes him that much more of a physical presence.” — Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal on OJ Frederique
“Watching the film from last year with his coverage ability, he’s a guy that’s very confident, a guy who plays fast and plays with very good technique. He’s still building on that. I’m excited about this year because he had a really good year last year. Now I think he’s a better player. I think he constantly is working on his game. He’s watching film. He’s studying. He’s trying to fix his weaknesses and trying to maximize his strengths. And I think he’s a guy that’s going to continue to get better all the way through. I think he’s had a really good camp so far, and really excited to see him get going here.” — Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman on OJ Frederique
The rest of the series
No. 6: Right guard Anez Cooper
No. 7: Safety Zechariah Poyser
No. 8: Linebacker Mohamed Toure
No. 9: Running back Mark Fletcher Jr.
No. 10: Tight end Elija Lofton
No. 11: Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor
No. 12: Wide receiver Joshisa Trader
No. 13: Offensive lineman Markel Bell
No. 14: Defensive back Xavier Lucas
No. 15: Defensive lineman Justin Scott
No. 16: Wide receiver CJ Daniels
No. 17: Defensive lineman David Blay
No. 18: Defensive lineman Ahmad Moten
No. 19: Center James Brockermeyer
No. 20: Wide receiver Keelan Marion
No. 21: Defensive back Jakobe Thomas
No. 23: Defensive back Keionte Scott
No. 24: Running back Jordan Lyle
No. 25: Defensive back Damari Brown
No. 26: Defensive lineman Armondo Blount
No. 27: Wide receiver Malachi Toney
No. 28: Defensive back Ethan O’Connor
No. 29: Linebacker Kamal Bonner
No. 30: Running back CharMar Brown
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