Miami Hurricanes DE Greg Rousseau named 20 best under 20

Miami Hurricanes rising redshirt sophomore defensive end Greg Rousseau was named by 247 Sports as one of college football’s 20 best players under 20 years old. Rousseau leads all returnees with 15.5 sacks in 2019.

Miami Hurricanes redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Greg Rousseau had a breakout season in 2019 with 19.5 tackles for loss and finished second in the country to Heisman Trophy Finalist Chase Young of Ohio State with 15.5 sacks. Rousseau was named by 247Sports as one of College football’s 20 best players under 20.

Rousseau will be part of the best group of edge rushers in the country in 2020. The Miami Hurricanes welcome redshirt junior defensive end Jaelan Phillips who redshirted last season and graduate transfer Quincy Roche who had 13 sacks with Temple in 2019. Phillips was the top recruit in the country in 2017.

Miami finished seventh in the nation in 2019 with 46 sacks and sixth with 108 TFLs. The additions of Phillips and Roche will improve the Hurricanes pass rush even with the loss of DEs junior Jonathan Garvin who left a year early for the NFL Draft and 2019 graduate transfer Trevon Hill from Virginia Tech.

Rousseau was nearly unblockable in 2019. The 6’6 253 pound freakish athlete had an exceptional season despite only starting seven games. Rousseau’s return plus the additions of Phillips and Roche caused Scott Patchan to transfer to Colorado State despite starting six games last season. Rousseau was highlighted by 247Sports.

"GREGORY ROUSSEAU, MIAMI DEAge: 19Recruiting Rewind: No. 485 in 2018“Rousseau came out of nowhere as a redshirt freshman, totaling 19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks across 13 games. Rousseau entered Miami as a skinny 6-foot-6, 222-pound, 17-year-old former wide receiver/safety. He redshirted for a season, packing on 31 pounds and adding another inch to his already massive frame.Formerly a slower-moving wide receiver (at least for college), Rousseau, who’s been called a “freak,” is now among the quickest defensive ends in the country.”"

Rousseau did not completely out of nowhere as most national college football analysts have stated. Miami head coach Manny Diaz praised Rousseau during spring practice in 2018 when he was the Hurricanes defensive coordinator. Entering the 2020 season, Rousseau is primed to be a leader on defense.

"“I’m trying to raise my consistency to another level because I know people are relying on me…Last year, I was a back-up. I’m a starter from day one now and I know I’ve got to bring that mentality every single day and stay at that super-high level. I’m a dude that a lot of people are looking up to.So I’m taking more notes, watching some more film, trying to be a pro, trying to raise my level in everything, and also, making sure I come out here every single day and compete to the fullest of my abilities knowing that people are always watching me.”"

Rousseau spoke with Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the official Miami website Hurricane Sports. Rousseau also drew praise from defensive coordinator Blake Baker, Diaz and Roche in the same article. The potentially devastating Hurricanes pass rush is experienced as well as exceptionally talented.

Phillips, Rousseau and Roche average entering their fourth year of college. Rousseau is young for a player who will be a junior academically. He was just 17 when he graduated high school. Most 2021 NFL Mock drafts project Rousseau to be selected in the top 10. He will be lethal and versatile pass rusher in the NFL.