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The Miami Hurricanes Land a Pair of Defensive Backs on the Freshman All American Team

The future of the Hurricanes secondary is bright as they have been listed with some of the other top prospects in the country.
Justice Sandle|
Nov 2, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back OJ Frederique Jr. (29) reacts after breaking pass against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back OJ Frederique Jr. (29) reacts after breaking pass against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Miami (FL) Hurricanes

On Tuesday, the Miami Hurricanes returning cornerback O.J. Frederique and new Jacksonville State safety transfer Zechariah Poyser were named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team.

Nov 2, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back OJ Frederique Jr. (29) plays his position against t
Nov 2, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back OJ Frederique Jr. (29) plays his position against the Duke Blue Devils during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Frederique had 30 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 pass breakups, one interception, and 8.0 passes defended in 2024. Pro Football Focus gave Frederique a 72.8 defensive grade and a 71.8 coverage grade in 2024. Frederique was named honorable mention All-ACC.

Poyser finished the season with 75 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 11 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries for Jacksonville State as a redshirt freshman in 2024. Poyser was among the most sought-after transfers, ranked the No. 2 safety in the portal, and the No. 83 player overall.

Frederique was one of eight ACC players named to the FWAA Freshman All-America Team while Poyser was one of seven Freshman All-Americans named from a Group of Five program and the only one from Conference USA.

Frederique is the 12th Miami player to be named to the FWAA Freshman All-America team since its inception. Defensive lineman Rueben Bain and right tackle Francis Mauigoa were the most recent in 2023. Poyser is the first player from Jacksonville State to earn FWAA Freshman All-America honors after it joined the FBS in 2023.

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Justice Sandle
JUSTICE SANDLE

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.

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