Countdown to Canes Football: No. 18 Te'Cory Couch
The secondary for the Miami Hurricanes went through many ups and downs during the 2022 season.
Can the Canes make a move towards being a better passing defense this fall? If the answer ends up being yes, one of the key cogs into that equation will be an experienced cornerback that will need to take yet another step forward in helping Miami’s defense in multiple ways.
This player will even possibly end up needing to play multiple positions, and needs to take another type of role, too.
#25 - Cam McCormick
#24 - Javion Cohen
#23 - Jacolby George
#22 - Rueben Bain, Jr.
#21 - Jalen Rivers
#20 - Ahmad Moten
#19 - Francisco Mauigoa
Te'Cory Couch
Size
: 5-foot-10, 170 pounds
Class
: 5th-Year-Senior
Position
: Cornerback
Background and Recruitment
Couch committed to Tennessee and then Michigan, before finally committing to Miami and signing his letter of intent. Playing for Chaminade-Madonna, he was a highly touted prospect from Broward County.
2022 Statistics
Tackles
: 37
Tackles for Loss
: One
Pass Breakups
: 6
Playing a Diversified Role
Just looking ahead, with all of Couch’s experience, and one never knowing about injuries, perhaps he plays nickel and outside cornerback this fall. While some of Miami’s cornerbacks have experience, most of that experience transferred in from a different program.
Even if Couch plays exclusively at nickel cornerback, being more involved with different aspects of the defensive play calls could be another way he helps the Canes elevate their defense.
Mario Cristobal hired Lance Guidry to operate the defense. Look for Couch to get more chances to play in different coverages and blitz more often. Guidry has a lot of different play calls and formations to help create havoc, as seen by Marshall being one of the most dynamic defenses in college football last season.
The nickel spot will be called upon to create big plays – in coverage and charging the line of scrimmage – throughout the 2023 college football season. Couch will benefit from that philosophy.
Blitzing and getting home to the quarterback, creating fumbles, and picking off passes. The U needs a lot more of those big defensive plays this season. Couch could, and should, be a part of the reason that happens.
At the nickel spot overall, Oklahoma Transfer Portal addition Jaden Davis could be another factor in the equation as well. That being the case, where all the cornerbacks specifically play will play out in fall camp. Couch should be in the middle of the fray when it comes to game-changing plays. He’s too talented and experienced not to be.
That leads to an even bigger point about Miami’s defense and team as a whole. It’s one that’s arguably the biggest question mark heading into the 2023 season.
Being a 2023 Leader
This continuing theme on the countdown shall not go away. Miami’s leadership last season, at best, was shaky.
Helping each other learn the play book, play calls, etc. That’s a big chunk of leadership as a defensive back. Couch can certainly be a part of each aspect like those just mentioned.
Further, Miami will be injecting new talent across the defense from the Transfer Portal and the prep ranks like Rueben Bain, Jr. Anytime a fifth-year senior like Couch can help any one of those players, in any way as a member of the Miami team, that needs to be priority No. 1.
Football has and will continue to be the ultimate team sport, and that includes off the field with film study, working out, and being friends. Leadership, leadership, and more leadership.
While it sounds like overkill to some, Miami will not improve this season without a lot more of it. Couch should certainly help after the battles he’s been through as a member of the Hurricanes to date.
2023 Projection
Couch should have his best year in a Miami uniform. Experienced, talented, and now in a defense that can help him create more havoc plays, Couch should be a part of the resurrection for the Miami defense.
Even with all the added talent in the secondary, and even if he shares more reps with Davis and/or another cornerback, Couch should be quite productive. Same for Miami’s nickel cornerback position overall.
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