Miami Hurricanes continue to get reinforcements ahead of Pittsburgh game
The No. 12 Miami Hurricanes continue to get reinforcements down the stretch.
The latest set to return: Sophomore cornerback OJ Frederique Jr., who was available to play against the No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, but sat out for the fifth consecutive game with an apparent arm injury.
Meanwhile, defensive tackle David Blay Jr. looks like he will miss his third consecutive game after not going through pregame warmups. The senior and Louisiana Tech transfer was listed as questionable all week on the ACC’s availability reports.
Blay and Keionte Scott (lower body) are the only Hurricanes starter definitely sidelined. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and wide receiver CJ Daniels both returned last week in Miami’s 34-17 win over Virginia Tech.
True freshman Bryce Fitzgerald should start his third consecutive game at nickel cornerback in Scott’s absence. Miami’s full list of players deemed out for the Pittsburgh game: Scott, defensive back Charles Brantley, linebacker Malik Bryant, defensive lineman Hayden Lowe, wide receiver Tony Johnson, and tight ends Brock Schott and Jack Nickel.
Frederique has followed up a Freshman All-American season in 2024 with an overall solid sophomore campaign when he has been able to play. In seven games, Frederique has 10 tackles and five pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed just 10 catches on 21 targets against him for 168 yards and one touchdown.
In Frederique’s absence, the trio of Xavier Lucas, Damari Brown and Ethan O’Connor have taken the majority of Miami’s outside cornerback reps. Frederique has been part of that four-person rotation.
Blay has not played since Miami’s home game against Syracuse on Nov. 8 with an undisclosed injury, but Cristobal said on Monday he felt optimistic about the defensive tackle returning.
“I feel pretty good about him,” Cristobal said. “He was striking that sled [Sunday] and just about broke it. I think he’s really close to getting back.”
Just not close enough, apparently.
Instead, sophomore Justin Scott will continue to make his mark in the starting lineup. Should he start Saturday, it will be Scott’s fifth consecutive game in the starting lineup, first filling in for Ahmad Moten Sr. and now for Blay.
And the Hurricanes avoided what could’ve been a tough situation when safety Jakobe Thomas left last week’s win over Virginia Tech in the first half with an arm injury. His X-rays were negative and he is cleared to play Saturday against Pittsburgh.
This story was originally published November 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM.
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