Quincy Roche needs strong 2020 season to improve draft stock

Miami Hurricanes defensive end Quincy Roche needs a strong 2020 season to improve his draft stock according to the talent evaluation site Pro Football Focus.

Quincy Roche transferred to Miami for the 2020 college football season to gain experience against Power Five players and prove he can dominate against the ACC equally to the 19 tackles and 13 sacks he accomplished in the AAC in 2019 playing for Temple. Roche was the second-best pass rusher in college football in 2019.

Roche had the fourth-best overall grade among FBS edge rushers in 2019, the 18th best grade against the run and as previously stated the second-best grade among pass rushers according to PFF. If Roche can duplicate his performance in 2019 in the ACC in 2020 he could move up into the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Quincy Roche will be the top focus of opposing offenses with redshirt sophomore Greg Rousseau opting out of the 2020 season. With redshirt junior Jaelan Phillips on the opposite side as an edge rusher, Miami opponents will not be able to double team Roche often in 2020. That tandem will help Miami have one of the top pass rushes.

With Rousseau leading the way, Miami had the nation’s seventh-best pass rush in 2019 with 46 sacks. Roche, Phillips and redshirt freshman Jahfari Harvey have a chance to exceed what the Miami pass rush with Rousseau and junior Jonathan Garvin helped the Miami defensive line achieve in 2019.

"20. EDGE QUINCY ROCHE, MIAMI (FL)Roche was as unblockable as anyone not named Chase Young last year…in the AAC. Doing it at Temple is not nearly the same as doing it against Power 5 tackles. After putting on 10 pounds over the course of the offseason, if Roche can continue that dominance in the ACC, he’ll get serious early-round consideration."

In an analysis of 25 college football players who need one more season to improve their draft status, Roche was 20th. The analysis from PFF stated the players profiled have proven they have the skills to be NFL starters but need to be more consistent in their play. Roche having a chance against ACC players is important.

Rousseau had only one season of dominance but at 6’6, 265 pounds he has the size scouts crave at the next level. As stated by PFF, Roche has added 10 pounds to his 6’4 frame and is up to 245 entering the 2020 season. Playing under Manny Diaz and defensive line coach Todd Stroud should help Roche thrive during the 2020 season.