Eight Days to Miami Football: DJ Ivey adds veteran stability

Cornerback D.J. Ivey enters his junior season with the Miami football program ready to become a full-time starter.

After starting six games in 2019 and with 23 games played during his first two seasons, junior cornerback D.J. Ivey is ready to become a full-time starter for the Miami football team in 2020. Ivey led the Hurricanes with three interceptions last season and added 25 tackles, two tackles for loss and one pass breakup.

Ivey enters the 2020 season as the favorite to start at one CB opposite junior Al Blades. Competing with Blades and Ivey for playing time are sophomores Te’Cory Couch and Christian Williams. After contributing primarily on special teams in 2019, Couch and Williams are ready to be a big part of the CB rotation in 2020.

Ivey was among the elite Powrt Five CBs limiting the success of opposing wide receivers. Ivey had seven games in 2019 allowing one or no receptions. The success rate largely depends on how many snaps a player receives in a given game. Ivey did have blown coverages several times in 2019 hurting Miami.

Ivey allowed 23 receptions for 347 yards and three TDs in 2019. For the Miami defense to be more successful in 2020, Ivey has to significantly decrease the 15 yards per reception he allowed in 2019. Another season like 2019 and Ivey will almost definitely lose snaps to Couch and Williams.

The Miami pass defense was 18th nationally in 2019 allowing 195.2 yards per game. The Hurricanes were 28th allowing 6.7 yards per attempt and 29th in passer rating. The numbers from the pass defense were solid in 2019, but have room to improve. Ivey needs to be a big part of the Miami pass defense in 2020.

Entering his junior season, Ivey and Blades should be leaders on the Miami defense. With the talent Miami has with returning safeties, senior Amari Carter, redshirt junior Bubba Bolden and junior Gurvan Hall, the Hurricanes should have the experience to be one of the best pass defenses in college football in 2020.