July Player Performance Index top 30 deep dive: No. 23 Te’Cory Couch

CaneSport is breaking down the top 30 Miami players on the roster, and today we’re at No. 23, nickel/STAR Te’Cory Couch.

THE BIG PICTURE

Couch has the benefit of being a three-year starter at Miami, albeit in three different systems. But the good news is that his STAR/nickel position under Lance Guidry has many of the same responsibilities as it did under Kevin Steele last year (Steele and Guidry both have a similar STAR position in their defenses). With that said, Guidry does run a more aggressive overall scheme compared to Steele and blitzes more. So Couch will have to really show a knack for getting in the offensive backfield quickly when he is asked to do a surprise blitz here and there. Couch was the first team nickel in spring drills ahead of Jaden Harris, who struggled as a cornerback last season. But the team also went out and got Ja’Dais Richard from Vanderbilt in the second transfer portal window … and he can play nickel or boundary corner. So that could amp up the competition for Couch, who has been good but not great in his prior time at UM. Couch is also trying to be more physical as a tackler this season, and he went up from 170 pounds last season at 6-0 to 182 in the spring.

THE ANALYSIS

Couch is an old hat at Miami, arriving in the Class of 2019 as a four-star prospect and choosing UM over offers from the likes of LSU, Oklahoma, Michigan, Oregon and Tennessee. By his sophomore year he was a starter – he started the final four games that season and ended with 37 tackles, an interception and 1.5 sacks. The following year, 2021, he started six games and had 37 tackles, 1.5 for losses, with a team-high five PBUs. Then this past season he started at nickel/STAR and for a third straight year ended with 37 tackles, this time with six pass breakups one off the team lead of seven by Tyrique Stevenson. Couch had the highest Pro Football Focus grade of his career this past season at 66.5 (his prior high was 63.5 in 2020 and he was at 51.3 percent in 2021). Note that 70 is considered a good grade. Couch also had a cover grade of 65.3 in 2022 (his prior cover grades were 55.8 in 2019, 61.3 in 2020 and 53.1 in 2021). Couch added a solid 74.1 run defense grade this year but only a 50.7 tackle grade.

THE PROJECTION

Couch has the benefit of experience over a guy like Jaden Harris, but Richard has size on him at 6-2 and 197 pounds. So there is no guarantee that Richard (who played off the bench in 11 games as a freshman in 2022) can’t steal some reps from the veteran returner. The big question is if Couch can show in fall camp that he’s capable of game-changing plays. Last year he was targeted 56 times and gave up 36 completions (per PFF) for 342 yards. Over his career he’s allowed a 64.6 completion percentage and 11.7 yards per catch with just the one interception. Can he be a difference-maker as a 5th year senior? Miami needs that to happen.

THE JUMP HE NEEDS FROM SPRING TO FALL CAMP

Couch hasn’t enjoyed that “wow” season yet. He’s been good enough, but there is another level he can reach. Those game-changing plays – interceptions, forced fumbles, PBUs – need to start piling up. In a new aggressive scheme that might cater to what Couch can accomplish as a wiry and wily nickel guy.

THE QUOTE

“We can be really good. Have to continue to work, take it one practice at a time, one workout at a time. Sky is the limit for this team. Big things to come.” -Te’Cory Couch, this spring

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