After an outstanding regular season, cornerback O.J. Frederique was named the Miami player to watch versus Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on December 28 in Orlando by David Hale of ESPN. Frederique has been named a true freshman All-American by multiple outlets.
Frederique had 30 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, seven pass breakups, one interception and eight passes defended in 2024 per the official Miami site. Miami will play against the 38th pass offense nationally in the Pop-Tarts Bowl versus Iowa State. The Cyclones average 254.6 passing yards per game in 2024.
Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both have over 1,000 yards receiving this season. Higgins has 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns. Noel has 72 receptions for 1,077 receiving yards and seven TD. All of the other Iowa State receivers are under 25 receptions, 25 yards and two TDs.
Expect Frederique to be on either Higgins or Noel throughout most of the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Frederique was exceptional for Miami until the Syracuse game. Higgins and Noel will be one of the biggest challenges for Frederique and the Miami secondary in 2024. Hale summarized Frederique and the Miami secondary.
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"The fatal flaw for the Hurricanes all season has been a makeshift secondary that was torched routinely, including by Syracuse's Kyle McCord in the regular-season finale. Iowa State's passing game is among the most dynamic in the country, putting freshman corner OJ Frederique Jr. and the rest of the Miami defensive backs on notice. Frederique was perhaps the lone bright spot at the position, finishing the regular season having allowed just 38% completions and one touchdown. "David Hale, ESPN
Iowa State had over 300 yards passing in one game this season. Rocco Becht threw for 383 yards, three TDs and an interception as Iowa State lost 45-36 at Kansas. Higgins had five 100-yard games in 2024 and scored TDs in nine different contests. Noel had four 100-yard games and scored TDs in six games.
Noel had 21 receptions for 185 yards and one TD in the final four games of the regular season. Frederique and Miami will have video of the final four games of how teams were able to limit Noel. Higgins has been more consistent with two 100-yard games in his last three contests.