Miami CB O.J. Frederique named top 7 three-star true freshman standouts

Chance Linton of 247Sports recognized Miami cornerback O.J. Frederique as one of "College football's three-star true freshman standouts: NC State QB CJ Bailey leads seven-player list."Frederique has been a major contributor to Miami as a true freshman in 2024.

Frederique should continue to be a significant part of the Miami secondary with junior CB Jaidus Richard suffering what appeared to be a season-ending leg injury versus Duke on Saturday. Miami is very thin at CB. Frederique has beaten out all older players to become a starter.

Frederique has been a consistent performer for Miami as part of a secondary that has often been maligned. Miami has been without sophomore starting CB Damari Brown since the season-opening 41-17 win at Florida. Miami is 64th nationally allowing 215.4 passing yards per game and 70th with 13 touchdowns allowed.

With Brown remaining out at least this week at Georgia Tech and without Richard expect Frederique to play as many snaps as possible for Miami in Atlanta. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said Brown could return before the end of the season. Linton highlighted the great true freshman season Frederique is having.

"OJ Frederique Jr. did not arrive on the Miami campus until the summer, but that has not stopped the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas product from carving out an important role for the unbeaten Hurricanes.

The 6-foot, 180-pounder has emerged as a key member of the Miami secondary, playing 393 defensive snaps through nine games while making five starts. Frederique has been targeted 24 times in coverage this season but allowed just eight catches for 74 yards with one interception and one pass breakup — that includes only three catches and 24 yards over the past six games, according to PFF.

Frederique ranked as the country's No. 66 cornerback and state of Florida's No. 94 overall prospect."

- Chance Linton 247Sports

Frederique was a shutdown CB for Miami versus Duke in a game the Hurricanes allowed 325 passing yards and three TDs. Miami did have three interceptions including one by Frederique. The biggest test for the Miami secondary during the regular season will come in the last game at Syracuse on November 30.

Syracuse is fourth nationally averaging 349.0 passing yards per game, 11th with 22 TD passes and first in attempts, completions and with 48.4 attempts per game. The Miami secondary will be tested often at Syracuse. Frederique will be critical for Miami at Syracuse with limited depth in the secondary.

Frederique has 15 tackles and five passes defended in 2024 per his official Miami Hurricanes profile page. Against Duke, Frederique was credited with a season-high three passes defended versus Duke. As a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas in 2023, Frederique was credited with 22 tackles and 10 pass breakups in 13 games.

Linton also highlighted Frederique for his performance versus Duke with a season-high 78.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. Frederique has solidified a Miami secondary that is "98th in coverage grade and 93rd in EPA per pass allowed" per Pro Football Focus.

Frederique has far exceeded his recruiting ranking. In the 247Sports composite rankings Frederique was fourth among five defensive backs Miami signed in the 2024 class. Brown and Frederique should anchor the Miami secondary through at least the 2025 season.