Chris Hummer of 247Sports named Miami cornerback O.J. Frederique among his 'College football's next wave of superstars in 2025: Fifteen players set to emerge. Frederique significantly outplayed his recruiting grade as a three-star prospect by emerging as a starter during his true freshman season in 2024.
Frederique earned the opportunity for significant playing time for Miami in 2024 when starting CB Damari Brown was injured in the season-opening 41-17 win at Florida. As a true freshman in 2024, Frederique played in all 13 Miami games and made seven starts.
Frederique will be one of the anchors of a rebuilt Miami secondary in 2025. Miami added transfer CBs Charles Brantley, Emmanuel Karnley, Xavier Lucas and Ethan O'Connor and safety Zechariah Poyser to the 2025 roster. Miami significantly strengthened CB on the 2025 depth chart.
Frederique earned All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2024 and should challenge for All-Conference in 2025 with the potential of being an All-American. Mario Cristobal and his staff did an exceptional job identifying Frederique, signing him and developing him quickly.
Lowest target rate in coverage in 2024 among Power 5 CBs with 300+ coverage snaps (PFF):
— CFBNumbers (@CFBNumbers) January 30, 2025
1. Azareye'h Thomas - 9.6%
2. Travis Hunter - 10.1%
3. OJ Frederique Jr. - 10.7% pic.twitter.com/GuXM4DXfkO
"OJ Frederique Jr.,...finished as a 2024 247Sports True Freshman All-American with 21 tackles, one interception and seven passes defended...Opposing passers completed just 36.8% of their attempts against him, which was the third-lowest rate in the Power Four.Chris Hummer, 247Sports.
Frederique was targeted 36 times compared to 47 and 62 targets respectively for his fellow starters Jadais Richard and Daryl Porter. The 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore-to-be is a sure tackler with excellent ball skills. He'll continue to be one of the best cornerbacks in the country."
The numbers for Frederique were elite as a true freshman and he still has room to improve and continue developing. With the additions Miami made to their secondary in the offseason, Frederique will have a lot of help in 2025. Porter graduated and Richard suffered a significant injury at the end of last season.
Brown and Frederique are the most experienced returning DBs for Miami in 2025. The best game for Frederique in 2024 was arguably the loss at Georgia Tech when he had five tackles, two pass breakups and two passes defended. Frederique had nine tackles at Syracuse, but arguably his worst game in coverage.
Miami will get tested early against Notre Dame and three weeks later versus Florida. Notre Dame is a run-oriented team, but it added former Virginia wide receiver Malachi Fields for 2025. Fields had 55 receptions, 808 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. Florida returns former five-star QB D.J. Lagway, who was a 2024 freshman All-American.