Manny Diaz calls 2021 LB signee Deshawn Troutman special player
The Miami football program signed two players they project as linebackers in college. Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz projects 2021 signee Deshawn Troutman as a special player. With the LB play inconsistent for Miami in 2020, Troutman and fellow 2021 signee Tyler Johnson could challenge for playing time in 2021.
Troutman is the 694th ranked player, 33rd ranked inside LB and the 92nd ranked player in Florida in the Class of 2022. In 18 games during his last two years of high school playing for Edgewater in Orlando, Troutman had 190 tackles and 18 tackles for loss.
Miami returns Bradley Jennings Jr. and Zach McCloud who started the majority of the games at LB in 2020. McCloud moved to defensive end ahead of the Cheez-it Bowl loss to Oklahoma State last season. Jennings is expected to be challenged by Corey Flagg at middle LB who is entering his second season with Miami.
Troutman should also compete for snaps this season. Other young LBs on the Miami roster are Tirek Austin-Cave, Sam Brooks, Avery Huff, Johnson and Waynmon Steed. Manny Diaz likes the instincts that Troutman has to be a potential playmaker. Diaz praised Troutman during his National Signing Day press conference.
"“When you talk about linebacker, you’re always talking about instincts and toughness and Deshawn Troutman shows both and has his entire time in his high school career. A great knack for the ball, great understanding of tackle angles, and then can make a play when the ball is thrown in the air and turn defense into offense.A guy that’s been a great leader on his team. Excited to see all the things he can provide in understanding of how to fill a hole, stays square on the line of scrimmage — things that you can’t teach. Really a special type of player. Relentless. An explosive playmaker to add to the middle of our defense.”Courtesy Miami Herald"
Diaz wants LBs who are fast and can react quickly. Troutman fits the Miami defense with the comments above by Diaz. At 6’1, 205 pounds Troutman has the length that fits the Miami roster. Troutman will get in the strength and conditioning program with David Feeley and fill out over the next few years.
Next. Miami freshman LB Deshawn Troutman playing fearless. dark
Miami has to become a more consistent team stopping the run in 2021. The Hurricanes could still look to add a LB through the transfer portal. If the roster remains the same, training camp should be open for competition to start at LB. Expect Miami to be aggressive adding LBs for the Class of 2022.