Miami lost top CBs Stevenson and Ivey. Gritty senior adds muscle for ‘fierce’ competition

Te’Cory Couch has always played bigger than he looks.

These days, he’s looking bigger, too, though there’s only so much brawn a cornerback listed last season as 5-10 and 170 pounds can possess.

Score one for Couch, up to 182 pounds of well-defined muscle and grit as he approaches his fifth-year senior season.

“Everybody is hungry right now,’’ said Couch of the increased intensity this spring after a 5-7 season. “Everybody wants it right now.’’

During 2020, when Couch was a sophomore, Couch’s size was the subject of good-natured ribbing when then-defensive coordinator Blake Baker compared him to a chihuahua.

“He thinks he’s a lot bigger than he is,’’ Baker said of Couch, a friendly, ever-smiling Hurricane who was a consensus four-star cornerback when he came to UM in 2019 from Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. At that point, Couch said he’d prefer to be “a bulldog at least.’’

After starting the past 10 games under former defensive coordinator Kevin Steele as a nickel corner in the star position, Couch is continuing his role as a hybrid corner/safety, said new UM defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.

“We have a [strong-side] backer in a 4-3 [scheme], and the star will be the nickel,’’ Guidry said. “He’s got to cover like a corner but be able to tackle like a safety. That’s always a dynamic spot in the defense because it can make you multiple. ...That guy’s really important to the defense, and he either comes from a corner or he comes from an athletic safety.

“T.C.’s been the guy. Also, [Jaden] Harris has been in there. ...In the summertime, we’ll probably start to create some more depth there.”

NFL Draft

UM’s 2022 starting boundary corners Tyrique Stevenson and DJ Ivey are headed to the NFL Draft, and Couch said last week during UM’s final spring practice session before spring break that “the intensity” and “competition” are “way higher” since the offseason coaching and personnel changes.

On defense, new assistant coaches also include Derek Nicholson (outside linebackers) and Jason Taylor (defensive line, edge rushers). Jahmile Addae remains the secondary coach.

“We want to be better,’’ said Couch, who formerly wore jersey No. 23 and recently switched to zero (formerly worn by safety James Williams, now No. 20) “Everybody is working harder. So, it does feel different.

“It’s a fierce competition. Everybody wants to start. But we compete with each other, not against. Even if you’re competing with somebody, you’re helping that guy correct their mistakes.’’

Former UM corners (in some cases those who took on dual defensive back roles) who entered the transfer portal include Al Blades Jr. (Duke), Isaiah Dunson (Baylor) and Khamauri Rogers (Mississippi State).

New CBs

The Canes added sixth-year senior Iowa cornerback transfer Terry Roberts; and standout UCF transfer Davonte Brown, a 6-2, 185-pound fourth-year junior who played at Plantation American Heritage and is expected to land a starting spot. Brown is the older brother of UM incoming signee Damari Brown, a consensus four-star recruit who will arrive this summer and made a major signing-day splash by choosing the Canes over Alabama.

“My whole life, I worked for this,’’ the younger Brown said on signing day in December. “Just seeing it come in front of me was a dream come true.’’

UM also signed incoming four-star corner Robert Stafford, out of Melbourne Eau Gallie. Stafford scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams last season for Eau Gallie, and was named an Under Armour All-American.

Returning corners include rising fourth-year junior Daryl Porter Jr., third-year junior Malik Curtis and redshirt freshman Chris Graves Jr.

‘Stronger, quicker’

Couch indicated his new strength and fitness level are already helping.

“I feel good just being able to move around at a different weight,’’ Couch said. “I feel a lot stronger, a lot quicker.’’

Last season, Couch played in all 12 games, finishing with 37 tackles (32 solo), one tackle for loss and six pass breakups. He said his new responsibilities at the star role are “pretty similar.’’

“But I can play everything — outside, inside. Whatever they need, I’ll do.’’

Asked if it felt “weird” that he’s one of the older players now, Couch smiled. “When I sit back and think about it... That is a little crazy how time flew. I’ve got to take more of a leadership role.”

Couch said it’s too early to tell exactly how different Guidry’s offense will be, but he said the new coach emphasizes turnovers, stopping the run and stopping the ball.

“Just stop the ball from getting in the end zone. That’s the point. Period.’’

Couch stressed the importance of “hitting the film room pretty hard’’

“Study your playbook, take it home with you,’’ Couch said. “Study it before you go to sleep and study when you wake up in the morning — and you catch on pretty fast. It’s just getting the terminology down. That’s the big part.”

Time to thud

The Hurricanes added shoulder pads late last week for their first session of “thudding’’ — hitting without tackling to the ground.

“It feels good to get out in pads,’’ Couch said, “hit a little, see who can do what, see what kind of team we have.’’

Guidry was asked his thoughts on some of the young cornerbacks.

“All you can really judge right now is how they’re playing the pass,’’ Guidry said. “Until the pads start popping and people start — it’s always different when the pads come on. So I don’t want to make an early judgment on anybody because some people look really, really good in just helmets and spiders. But when pads come on, sometimes guys that didn’t look as well look a lot better when the ball comes in play and it’s live.

“So, I’m not making any pre-decisions on anybody. I’m just going to coach every day and try to get better.’’