Miami freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald is quickly establishing himself as a pivotal player for the No. 2 Hurricanes as he garners acclaim for his remarkable performance this season. With three interceptions to date, including a critical pick against Florida State that contributed to a touchdown, Fitzgerald has earned recognition as a midseason true freshman All-American by On3, joining fellow teammate Malachi Toney.
His consistency and commitment have not gone unnoticed, as teammate Jakobe Thomas praised him, stating, “He’s been the same dude every day. He comes in the building focused, asks as many questions as we do in the meetings. He does those types of things in practice all the time. … He’s going to be a special, special player.”
Joining the team later than most of his freshman classmates, Fitzgerald adapted quickly after arriving on campus this past summer from Miami Columbus High. Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman noted Fitzgerald’s dedication to mastering the playbook, allowing him to grasp various defensive positions and understand the dynamics of his teammates’ roles.
Fitzgerald’s skill set has translated into early playing time, with nine snaps in the season opener against Notre Dame and increasing his involvement to 35 snaps during the road victory over Florida State. His impactful plays include interceptions in both the wins over Bethune-Cookman and the Bulls, culminating in a standout performance against FSU where he returned an interception for 43 yards and recorded a career-best Pro Football Focus grade of 78.5.
Statistically, Fitzgerald ranks impressively among his peers, sitting third nationally among freshman safeties with 50 or more defensive snaps with a 71.7 defensive grade and fourth with a 73.5 coverage grade.
Head coach Mario Cristobal expresses pride in Fitzgerald’s progress, attributing his growth to hard work and dedication. With both Cristobal and Fitzgerald sharing alumni status from Columbus High, there is a sense of mutual pride and high expectations for the safety’s continued development. Cristobal emphasized, “He’s only getting better,” highlighting the potential for further improvement in his game.
As Fitzgerald continues to shine on the field, the future looks bright for this young talent as he contributes to the Hurricanes’ aspirations this season.