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Once upon a time, Miami was considered DBU. In the 2000s, the Hurricanes were well-known for consistently producing top defensive back talent to the NFL. From 2002 to 2008, Kenny Phillips, Kelly Jennings, Antrelle Rolle, Brandon Meriweather, Phillip Buchanon, Mike Rumph the late great Sean Taylor and the hall of famer Ed Reed were all first round draft picks.
Reed, has returned to the university assuming the role of Chief of Staff. The former safety is assisting with all aspects of the football program including strategic planning, quality control, operations, player evaluations, player development, team building, recruiting and student-athlete mentorship.
One player new to campus, took the initiative to introduce himself to the legendary defensive back.
“I walked up to him and said me and you need to start having a lot of conversations,” said defensive back Tyrique Stevenson at a post-practice press conference.
The big (6-0, 210) junior nickel cornerback transferred in the offseason from Georgia to play for his hometown team. As a high school prospect, “Rique” was considered by many a five-star type of talent coming out of the 2019 class. Stevenson participated in various Football Hotbed camps and earned MVP honors at the Football Hotbed Exposure Showcase in his senior year.
Who are the top 100 transfer additions heading into this season?@rivalsmike ranks them, with Georgia-turned-Miami WR JDB Tyrique Stevenson coming in at No. 32:https://t.co/pX4LxA5beO pic.twitter.com/jQd6ONutLD
— Rivals (@Rivals) August 9, 2021
With his recruitment, it was two-horse race between Miami and Georgia and Stevenson was so torn about the decision that he delayed his signing at Southridge High School and rescheduled to an announcement made on national television at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
.@dreamchaserTy10 says he has not decided on where he is going to sign. The battle between @FootballUGA and @CanesFootball will be decided Friday, but announcement coming January 5th. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/X8vE5WWcgp
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 19, 2018
“Being back home is a great feeling,” Stevenson said. “I’m very happy being close to my family, I can see my mom and my sisters a lot. It just feels good being back.”
In fall camp, Stevenson is making an immediate impact on the team on both sides of the football. Stevenson, a fierce competitor, studied starting quarterback D’Eriq King last season and often verbally motivates King in camp, which he believes will improve play for both parties.
“I watched him make a lot of good throws,” said Stevenson. “My thought was coming here was if I get him to throw at me more then it will make both of us better.”
Stevenson’s presence is raising the level of play with the DBs according to Head Coach Manny Diaz.
“I think he’s made a really big impact in our secondary,” said Coach Diaz. “It doesn’t matter what conference he played in before. We’ve known hims since he was a ninth grader. I think he loves being here. I think he fits in with our guys in the lockeroom, but he brings a competitive spirit as I was mentioning and a confidence back there. The way he moves for his size, he’s a big dude, he dropped some pounds this summer and he believes he’s going to make every play when the ball is thrown his way. I feel like our offense notices him when he’s on the field. I think they feel his presence when he’s out there.”
One of those offensive players Rique is helping to get better is fellow transfer and roomate, wide receiver Charleston Rambo. The Oklahoma transfer is in line to be the number two receiver on the depth chart and considers Stevenson to be an NFL type of cornerback.
“We just work everyday, grinding, one on ones,” said Rambo. “Then we might talk about it or look at a play on film, helping each other to get better.”
Playing in the SEC with Georgia has its advantages. Especially when the first game of the season is against a familiar opponent in Alabama.
“I feel I have a jump because I watched film two years in a row on them,” Stevenson said. “We’re opening up with them so it’s still fresh.”
Georgia transfer and @CanesFootball defensive back Tyrique Stevenson talks about his experience against Alabama and if he’s spoken to hall of fame safety Ed Reed: pic.twitter.com/DffY6pgeil
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 13, 2021
Stevenson totaled 47 tackles including 31 solo, 10 passes defending and one sack in two years at Georgia.
Photo Courtesy of Miami Athletics
