2021 Recruiting Profile: Deshawn Troutman

As early signing day is now just three weeks away, I want to give Canes fans an in-depth look at the players committed to Miami for this 2021 class.

I’m starting these previews with the linebackers that UM has in their class, and the first LB I want to talk about is Deshawn Troutman out of Edgewater High School in Orlando. Should be noted, Troutman grow up in Miami and was a Hurricanes fan.

247 Sports has Troutman listed as a 3-star recruit, ranked as the #40 inside linebacker in the 2021 cycle, and #119 overall player in the state of Florida.

Troutman verbally committed to Miami in May of this year, and many Canes fans have expressed their approval for the hard-hitting linebacker, and I'm the same way.

The way that Troutman plays, reminds me somewhat of a Rohan Marley. Not the biggest guy, but one who flies around the field, making tackles and delivering crushing blows.

He’s a little bit smaller in size, listed at 205 pounds, so he’ll probably need a year or two to develop into a player that could compete for serious playing time. What I'm excited about, Troutman is exactly the kind of player that will benefit from David Feeley’s strength and conditioning program. Troutman has all the tools necessary to play linebacker in college, now he just needs to add the physical building.

In 2019, Troutman registered 130 tackles and 5 pass-breakups, averaging 10 tackles per game.

Obviously, it wasn’t Troutman’s size that Miami coaches were focused on, but his traits he shows on the field. Like most linebackers, Troutman has a nose for the ball, and is always around the ball carrier. If you watch his tape, he’s also not afraid of contact, willing to strike at anytime.

Troutman’s speed, athleticism and explosiveness are what most recognize when watching him. Sideline to sideline speed, Troutman jumps out at you, and his instincts show how effective he could be defending against modern-day offenses in football.

He’s the type of linebacker that Manny Diaz wants on his defense, one that has the quickness to contain the outside and shut down screen passes. Much of the criticism towards the Miami linebackers this season, has been the lack of speed. Players like Troutman and current UM linebacker Sam Brooks Jr. will bring a more athletic style to the Canes defense.

Like several other Miami commits, Troutman is better than his 3-star ranking may suggest. He doesn’t play for a powerhouse school like Jaydon Hood for St. Thomas Aquinas, but Troutman has the stats and ability to play with the top talent.

Like I said earlier, it may take Troutman a couple years to develop physically and add some good weight, but once he’s ready, without question, he can challenge for a starting job at linebacker.