Miami Commitment Profile: Cornerback Romanas Frederique, Jr.
At cornerback, the Miami Hurricanes seek more speed and length. That’s what the most recent commitment brings to Coral Gables.
Here’s a look at Miami’s 14th verbal commitment from the class of 2024.
Romanas Frederique, Jr.
Size: 6-0, 170 pounds
Position: Cornerback
High School: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Recruitment
Picked Miami over West Virginia, where he previously committed. Frederique has additional offers from Florida State, UCF, Ole Miss, Houston, Liberty, Florida International, Akron, Western Michigan, Temple, Western Kentucky, Appalachian State, and Jacksonville State.
Frame
Lean and wiry; Frederique’s body will add at least another 15 pounds before he leaves Miami. Needs more power in his legs and hips moving forward. Desirable arm length is present.
Athleticism
This young man can run with the best of South Florida’s top athletes. The speed to catch up to a talented offensive skill player, as well the ability to mirror a wide receiver in bump-and-run coverage, that’s Frederique.
Turns and maneuvers towards the football in a functional way; he’s not just athletic. Once Frederique navigates towards the football, his hand-eye coordination allows for interceptions and pass breakups.
As a return man, that’s when a person can truly see Frederique zig and zag with top-notch change of direction skills. He’s also explosive out of his cuts and then hits top gear.
Best Attributes
When in bump-and-run coverage, after Romanas turns to sprint with a receiver, he has a good burst to not only stay close but be right next to a pass catcher. That in-game speed will help him earn interceptions and pass breakups for The U.
He’s feisty. Even when Frederique goes up against bigger and stronger wide receivers, he can make plays with his physical nature. Jump ball situations, in particular, show him making a play on the ball.
Also a willing tackler. Not all cornerbacks like to be involved with the run game but Frederique will be a physical player.
Area to Improve
Needs to use his hands each time during bump-and-run. Frederique often turns and runs with the receiver while not placing his hands on him. He will cause more chaos by being even more aggressive.
Additionally, it will be curious to see him play more zone coverage. While he was playing for Deerfield Beach High School last season, Frederique was primarily in man and being locked into that one player.
With his twitchy athleticism, he could develop into an excellent break-on-the ball defender even when he comes off his man to swipe a pass from a player just outside of his zone. Frederique’s speed and athleticism will be a great match for doing that.
Long-Term Projection
He’s going to end up playing outside as a traditional cornerback. Cannot teach the length and speed and it’s a natural fit. Frederique’s penchant for being competitive, even against those bigger-bodied wide receivers, will also help him play physical football in the run and screen games.
He has a ways to go with the technical aspects of cornerback play like any other prep player, but the upside is absolutely tremendous. Again, just cannot teach the length and speed, and that’s conservatively half the battle at cornerback.
This is the type of player Miami made a living off of during the 1980s, 1990s and into the early 2000s. High-upside player that’s used to playing top competition from South Florida.
Frederique could end up being a multi-year starter if he puts his nose to the grindstone and readily accepts the coaching from the Miami coaching staff.
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