Miami Hurricanes 50-1 Countdown: Ranking the top 50 post-spring players … No. 49 Malik Curtis
CaneSport is breaking down the top 50 post-spring players on the roster, a list that doesn’t include any post-spring roster additions. Today we break down No. 49, Malik Curtis.
NO. 49 CB MALIK CURTIS
Why he’s No. 49
Curtis arrived at Miami in the Class of 2021, and as a true freshman saw action in eight games with his main impact on special teams (two tackles). Then last year the former Ft. Myers Bishop Verot high School star athlete struggled and was limited to three games and allowed opposing QBs to hit on all three of their targets of him for 74 yards and a TD (per Pro Football Focus). It wasn’t a good showing. But, with that said, the cornerback depth took a hit with Tyrique Stevenson and DJ Ivey moving on to the NFL. The team’s added transfer help but there remain a lot of question marks at corner. And Curtis has the talent and speed (timed at 11.13 seconds in the 100 in high school track) to make an impact. He just has to really hone in on his technique and keep his head on straight. There’s a lot of potential there.
What he needs to do to move up this list
Show consistency. That’s really the bottom line. Because Curtis flashes at times but then has costly breakdowns, and at cornerback you have to be on point all the time. One miscue can be the difference between a defensive stop or a long touchdown. In Year 3 at Miami it’s somewhat a now or never deal for Curtis. This fall is the time he should be stepping up and demanding reps. The transfers Miami brought in aren’t world beaters, and there isn’t a lot returning at boundary corner on the roster – aside from the transfers and Daryl Porter, Jr. it’s all first and second year guys. So the opportunity to impress is there.
Realistic season objective
Make it competitive in fall camp for a starting job and be available as a second-teamer to provide quality reps and be ready to take over as starter if the need is there. Show improvement from the first two years as one of only two cornerbacks that has more than a year experience as a Miami returning player (along with Porter, Jr.). Given the weak cornerback depth the Canes need a guy like Curtis to step up and be ready to handle meaningful reps.
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