The decision by Oklahoma State star WR Tylan Wallace to play in the Cheeze-it Bowl on Tuesday will test Miami Hurricanes secondary.
Oklahoma State star wide receiver Tylan Wallace led the Big XII with 873 receiving yards in 2020 and was second with 53 receptions. The decision by the star wide receiver to play in the Cheeze-it Bowl will test the Miami Hurricanes secondary. Wallace could have opted out to get ready for the NFL Draft.
At 6’0 190 pounds, Wallace could be a matchup problem for 5’10, 172-pound Te’Cory Couch who has been Miami’s best cornerback in 2020. D.J. Ivey gives Miami more size at CB at 6’1, 195 pounds. Behind Couch and Ivey, the Hurricanes are thin at CB with Al Blades Jr. out for the season with Myocarditis.
Blades led Miami with two interceptions and seven pass breakups. Freshmen Marcus Clarke and Isaiah Dunson will be critical to the Hurricanes pass defense against Oklahoma State. Miami only has the four mentioned healthy scholarship CBs on the roster for the Cheez-it Bowl. Wallace will be a challenge for the Miami DBs.
Wallace appears to be a leader for Oklahoma State. He spoke to reporters ahead of the Cheez-it Bowl about his decision to play and what that means to him and his teammates. Finishing his career the right way meant playing in the Bowl game for Wallace. Wallace stated the decision is individual for each player.
"“For me, it’s kind of just a personal thing…I think to me, playing in the bowl game for me is the right way to go out. I feel like I’ve put a lot into the program and it means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the guys.I wanted to go ahead and finish out the right way in my eyes, to finish out the bowl game with them and spend the last, however, the last game, last few moments and everything with them. You know, guys make their own personal decisions…I think that’s them. It’s their life. It’s, however, they want to live it.”"
Asked Tylan Wallace (@OfficialTylan2) why he decided to play in #OKState’s bowl game when other players in his position might have opted out — “it means a lot to me” pic.twitter.com/7JSqjvNJJ4
— Nate Feken (@TheGreat_Nate) December 27, 2020
Wallace will be one of the two best WRs that the Miami Hurricanes will play this season with North Carolina’s Dyami Brown. Brown got lost in the shuffle against Miami with the Tar Heels rushing for 554 yards against Miami. Brown had four receptions for 167 yards against Miami. Containing Wallace will be critical for Miami.
Wallace topped 100 yards three times this season, including 11 receptions for 187 yards and two TDs against Texas in a 41-34 double-overtime loss by the Cowboys to the Longhorns. If Miami can limit Wallace and force the Cowboys to earn their yards on the ground the Hurricanes defense could improve their chance of success.