O.J. Frederique was a consensus three-star cornerback when he signed with Miami in the 2024 class. Frederique significantly exceeded his recruiting rating during the 2024 season and was rewarded on Friday by being named a true-freshman All-American by On3. Frederique frequently graded as the top Miami CB.
Frederique had 30 tackles, one tackle for loss, eight passes defended and one interception per his official Miami page. The best games for Frederique were five tackles versus Georgia Tech and three passes defended and his sole interception against Duke. Frederique was the only Miami freshman named All-ACC, earning honorable mention.
Frederique finished fifth in the voting for ACC Rookie of the Year and second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting. Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain was the 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year. Frederique will be one of the foundational players in the Miami secondary for the next two seasons.
Frederique was one of only three ACC players named to the On3 true freshmen All-American team. The other two were running back Isaac Brown of Louisville who was named ACC Freshman of the Year and Offensive FOY and linebacker Sammy Brown (no relation) who was the ACC Defensive Freshman of the Year.
NEW: 2024 On3 True Freshman All-American Team via @CharlesPower🔥https://t.co/zJCQNhNZNb pic.twitter.com/MFVmaqaqmG
— On3 (@On3sports) December 6, 2024
"CB OJ Frederique, MiamiThomas Goldkamp
OJ Frederique looks like a great find out of South Florida by the Miami staff. He played 554 snaps over his true freshman season and only gave up 14 completions, according to Pro Football Focus.
We saw Frederique’s ball skills and natural cover instincts on display. He came down with two interceptions and four pass breakups and made several impact plays in pass coverage, particularly in ACC play."
Frederique was the most reliable CB for Miami throughout the season until the loss on Saturday at Syracuse. Entering the Syracuse game per Pro Football Focus via David Lake of Inside the U, Frederique was 28 targetted times allowing only ten receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown.
Lake further reported that PFF recorded Frederique as the only defensive back in the country to allow fewer than 100 yards while playing more than 500 snaps before the final week of the regular season. The longest reception Frederique permitted before the Syracuse game was just 14 yards. Frederique has a bright future ahead with Miami.