Miami Hurricanes CBs working with DeMarcus VanDyke avoiding big plays

New Miami Hurricanes cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke stated that he is working with his players on limited explosive plays next season. Miami was capable last season limiting big plays with the exception of those over 10 yards. Miami finished ninth in the ACC allowing 110 plays of 10 yards or more.

The big explosive plays Van Dyke is referring to Miami was much better at limiting. The Hurricanes finished tied for fifth in the ACC in 2020 allowing 35 plays of 20 or more yards. Miami was no worse than sixth for plays allowed of 20 or more yards and increasing in 10-yard increments through 70 yard plays allowed.

Van Dyke was quoted by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald discussing how he is working with the Miami CBs on how they will limit big plays, the addition of Tyrique Stevenson from Georgia in the transfer portal and the impact the remaining CBs will have on the Miami Hurricanes football team in 2021.

Van Dyke is confident in the talent that the Miami Hurricanes have at CB. Van Dyke praised his top four of Stevenson, juniors Al Blades and D.J. Ivey and sophomore Te’Cory Couch as being quality players who have to get better in 2021. Miami was 65th nationally in pass defense in 2020 allowing 233.9 yards per game.

"“The talent is there,…We can’t give up the explosive plays. That’s one of the things we’re working on right now, (cutting up) tape for those guys that we can sit down and watch and go through the entire season (to discuss) when they had opportunities to make plays.A talented young man (Stevenson). He played some nickel, some outside at corner. We’ll play him at corner here. He has ball skills and competes. Knowing him three years ago in high school, you can see how his focus has changed. He knows his business. He needs to play well to accomplish the things he wants to do.He has a chance to be a really good football player…When you look at Ivey, Couch, Al — the talent is there…Those guys are very talented players. Coach (Mike) Rumph did a really good job with those guys. That gives you four quality guys that have played. (But) we’ve got to get better.”"

Freshmen Marcus Clarke and Isaiah Dunson and 2021 signee Malik Curtis will also figure into the rotation at CB for Miami in 2021. Clarke gives Miami good speed with a 4.57 time in the 40. Miami likes the ball skills from the 6’1 Dunson. Curtis is a project who played primarily offense in high and is an excellent returner.

Jackson quoted head coach Manny Diaz as liking the speed that Curtis brings and labeling him a special athlete. The likelihood is that Blades, Couch, Ivey and Stevenson will receive most of the playing time at CB. Miami has to improve its pass defense in 2021. Miami was 59th allowing an opponent passer rating of 133.64.