Manny Diaz calls 2021 signee Malik Curtis special athlete
Malik Curtis is a 2020 signee in the Miami football program who head coach Manny Diaz referred to as a special athlete on National Signing Day in February. Ranked as an athlete by 247Sports.Com, Curtis is projected as a cornerback for the Hurricanes. Curtis played offense, defense and special teams in high school.
On offense, Curtis ran for 239 yards, averaging 8.5 yards per carry with two touchdowns during his high school career for Bishop Verot in Fort Myers. Curtis had 111 receptions for 1,899 yards and 20 TDs. A dangerous returner, Curtis averaged 33.0 on 27 career kickoff returns with three TDs and 17.8 yards on punt returns.
Curtis had four PR TDs. With Miami looking to upgrade their returns, Curtis should compete for a spot in training camp this summer. Defensively, Curtis had 36 tackles, five pass breakups and three interceptions. Curtis adds additional speed to the Miami football program. Curtis was second-team All-State as a WR.
Malik Curtis will also provide the Hurricanes versatility on the roster if there are injuries on either offense or defense. With Miami thin at CB in 2020, the addition of Curtis to the Miami roster and transfer of Tyrique Stevenson from Georgia, the Hurricanes will be much deeper in the secondary in 2021.
"“Speed…A very special athlete that did everything for his high school football team. We project [him] to be a great defensive back here and bring an influx of speed into our corner room. He’s a guy that can immediately make an impact in our return game, returning kicks; he’s got a great knack for that.He can do it on offense [too], he’s done it on defense, but really, really the type of speed that you just can’t coach.”"
Curtis ran a 11.13 100 meters according to his 247 Sports profile. Miami is now experienced at CB with everyone at the position having eligibility beyond 2021. Stevenson seems likely to leave for the NFL Draft with a good season. Al Blades Jr. and D.J. Ivey are entering their fourth seasons with Miami.
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Te’Cory Couch who is entering his third season and Marcus Clarke and Isaiah Dunson embarking on their second will begin the season ahead of Curtis on the Miami depth chart. Curtis will have the chance to compete on special teams and develop at CB before earnestly competing for playing time on defense in 2022.