Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
He’s like an ‘athletic freak’
Team sacks leader Rousseau in line for more playing time
Coral Gables – Through two games, the Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman that leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss has done it in a limited role.
Redshirt freshman Gregory Rousseau, a reserve defensive end who has been used in obvious passing situations to enhance the pass rush, has two of the team’s five sacks and 3 1⁄2 of its 16 tackles for loss.
Rousseau’s early-season success has prompted coach Manny Diaz and defensive coordinator Blake Baker to reward him with more snaps as the Hurricanes (0-2, 0-1 ACC) head into Saturday’s 4 p.m. home opener against Bethune-Cookman at Hard Rock Stadium.
“Greg Rousseau is a guy who’s going to continue to play more,” Diaz said. “He’s a guy that’s flashing every single time.”
Baker has been impressed with Rousseau’s versatility, lining up the 6-foot-6, 260-pound product of Hialeah Champagnat Catholic on the interior of the defensive line against guards on passing downs.
“He has had two really good weeks,” Baker said. “You can see how he’s just progressed, becoming more and more comfortable. He’s doing some really good things at defensive end and, I think, he adds a huge dimension for us on third down, sliding him inside, rushing the passer. So you’ll see more and more Greg Rousseau as the season progresses.”
Lining Rousseau up inside has allowed
him to win a speed matchup over bulkier interior offensive linemen.
“Sometimes those guys are a little bit stronger and a little less athletic and more like heavy guys who want to just pancake you,” said Rousseau, a Coconut Creek native who missed most of last season with an ankle injury. “It’s really different, but it’s really the same thing because you’ve just got to come off the ball fast, get extension, be physical and just get after it every single play. Just like D-end, just kind of a different spot.”
Veteran Scott Patchan, a redshirt senior, has taken notice of Rousseau’s progress.
“Greg’s like an athletic freak. He’s like 6-9, 250 and a gift from God,” said Patchan, exaggerating his height but actually missing low on his listed weight.
“I think being hurt has allowed him to stick more time and investment in the weight room and he’s definitely benefited a lot from that.”
Lining up inside at times, Rousseau has continued to build his body with lean weight.
“I don’t think I’m going to end up being a nose guard,” he quipped, “but I’m going to keep on doing what I can out there.
“It’s fun. It’s really a blessing. I’m just really grateful because last year I was out, just being out here again with my boys, it’s amazing.”
Rousseau is taking all the compliments in stride and keeping his head down.
“I feel like I’m playing good, but I feel like there’s always another level you can always get to,” he said. “You can always get better every single day at practice, so I’m just trying to get better.”