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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.
Respect my Decision @Coach_MannyDiaz @CoachField @CoachPop_Cooney @CoachBlakeBaker @EdgewaterFBall @OS_ChrisHays @247Sports pic.twitter.com/vlJcllosPS
— APEX PREDATOR (@DeshawnTroutman) May 28, 2020
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.
Deshawn Troutman is the kind of LB WE NEED in this defense. Good size, very athletic, excellent vision. He takes perfect angles, wraps up very well and is uber aggressive without incurring penalties.
— Stephan_Urkel (@pbcorbust) October 12, 2020
Definition of underrated. #Canesfootball pic.twitter.com/rDyRg7XamC
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.
Troutman has the instincts you want in a linebacker. Great sideline to sideline speed. Has the quickness that Miami needs more of at the LB position https://t.co/dBbpU4Vs8f pic.twitter.com/wVMTvnfCrw
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) November 25, 2020
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.
Not a guy you want to upset#gatorHunter || @DeshawnTroutman pic.twitter.com/DdzqBdnKnR
— Arturo (@CaneFilms) August 8, 2020
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.
DeShawn Troutman is a missile at the LB spot. Miami’s newest commit has the killer mentality that will fit right in with Diaz’s defense. Tavares Golden (aka T-Good) also brought that physical mindset and always played with an edge. pic.twitter.com/0RT3FFn68D
— Canes Legacy (@CanesLegacy) May 28, 2020
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.
See you soon ✌ pic.twitter.com/lkLLvSLepz
— APEX PREDATOR (@DeshawnTroutman) November 17, 2020
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.