Viper will be a combination of a standup pass rusher and a player who can drop into pass coverage. Rousseau and graduate transfer Trevon Hill are expected to play Viper in 2019. It’s the latest addition to the Miami defense after the addition of striker in 2018. Also expected to see playing time for Miami at DE is true freshman Jahfari Harvey.
The Miami football team suffered injuries to three backup linebackers in 2019 and during the spring. The Hurricanes are in great shape with seniors and four-year starters Shaq Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud. Expect to see true freshmen Avery Huff and Sam Brooks get on the field against the Gators.
The majority of Brooks and Huff’s playing time is expected to be on special teams. They have to be ready in case Quarterman, Pinckney or McCloud suffer an injury. Senior Romeo Finley and sophomore Gilbert Frierson will see the field at striker.
Huff was the higher-ranked of the two freshmen LBs but he did not arrive in Coral Gables until earlier this month. Brooks is working behind Quarterman at middle linebacker. He is not likely to get many snaps there. Quarterman played 76 of 79 snaps as a freshman against North Carolina. Expect that to be close to the norm in 2019.