Miami CB commit Romanas ‘OJ’ Frederique says recruitment is shut down

Miami 2024 cornerback commit Romanas “OJ” Frederique may have entertained programs when he committed to West Virginia over this summer, but after flipping to the Hurricanes June 30, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound defensive back now says his recruitment is shut down.

Frederique said he’s grown significantly closer to Miami’s staff since flipping, talking to the Hurricanes’ coaches daily and hearing how badly the staff needs and wants him in Coral Gables. “The whole coaching staff” has texted Frederique at some point or another asking about him, his family and asking his high school coaches about him.

“Life’s been great,” Frederique said. “Everything’s been going my way; how it’s supposed to. I’ve been gaining a lot of trust with the coaches. (Head) coach (Mario) Cristobal, (secondary) coach (Jahmile) Addae, we’re texting every day making sure I’m okay. Life’s been going great. My recruitment is shut down as of right now.”

Asked what could make him re-open his recruitment, Frederique said it would take an extremely aggressive recruiting push from a school in a very short amount of time to get him to consider another program. He did not visit any other programs during the final week of July before the August dead period.

Frederique said Miami’s staff regularly offers tips and advice to improve his technique during his senior season. He wants to improve his off-man coverage and score more touchdowns as a two-way player for Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas, where he also plans to return punts. He said he hopes to score five-plus punt return touchdowns.

The Hurricanes have also talked to Frederique about possible roles returning punts.

“We talk about everything, because you never know what can happen,” Frederique said. “They showed a lot of ways and a lot of reasons why (the staff wants me in Miami).”

CaneSport’s Take

Frederique’s decision to shut down his recruitment gives him an opportunity to focus on his senior season, which could see him skyrocket up the recruiting rankings if he shows out after transferring to local powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. He’ll receive the chance to play against another roster loaded with Division I talent when the Raiders play Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco in their season opener, which should offer the stiffest test and the most talented opponent Frederique has played against.

We’ve seen Frederique’s potential to lock down elite five-star talent like Hykeem Williams last year at Miami (Fla.) Stranahan, a strong, stocky receiver 1.5 inches taller and stronger than Frederique, and he dominated Miami’s prospect camp earlier this season. This year for Frederique should be about dominating his competition on a much larger platform.

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