CORAL GABLES, Fla. – As the Hurricanes prepare to kick off a new season, we asked some of the newest members of Miami’s football team – the freshmen – to tell us a little bit about themselves.
We asked them all five questions. Here’s what those freshmen on the defensive side of the ball had to say, in their own words.
Position: Defensive line
Hometown: Cape Coast, Ghana
Why did you choose to play college football at Miami?
“I think being African the thing I grew up with is culture. Coming here to America to play sports, the type of people you want to surround yourself with is great people and people who know where you want to get to and how they want to help you. Miami has everything I wanted – the coaches, the people, culture and even the history behind it. I wanted to be a part of it.”
Who’s your favorite Hurricane, past or present?
“Present, Akheem Mesidor. I think just how hard he’s worked, his past, and what he’s doing right now, I see him going hard every single day and I definitely look up to him every single day. Past, Calais Campbell. We’re almost the same size. He might be a smidge taller than me, but we’re about the same size, defensive end. I definitely look to him.”
Who is your role model and why?
“I wouldn’t say I have one role model. I always have things I pick up from people. Everyone has something good about them. In this journey of life, you meet a lot of people. You take the good and discard the bad. And so, my mother, Nancy and Stan Beatty and Amber. They are all the people who came into my life and played a huge role in it and they keep playing a whole role in it…My mother is back in Ghana, so Nancy and Stan are a couple I lived with the first three years I was in America and Amber, I lived with her for about six months my senior year, and she really just took care of me day and night. She’s like my second mother.”
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
“That I only have a year and a half of football under my belt. I only played football my freshman year and didn’t play again until my senior year and only played three games. I think I’m going to have a longer college career than I’ve ever had with football…When I first got to America, I was given the opportunity to try and play football because I was much bigger, to try and get in shape. And the moment I stepped on the field, I fell in love with it. Then Covid hit, and because it was a small, private school, they canceled the football program. I played two years of basketball after, but my senior year, I played football again.”
What makes Miami football so special?
“I think Coach Cristobal. He plays a huge part. He’s been the same since day one. I love the idea of what he’s doing. The culture he’s trying to grow and instill in us are the things your parents would teach you at home. He’s trying to set the mindset that when you give your best right now, you prepare for the battles that are going to come. I really love it. That’s how I see myself. I want to be the best I can be every single day because I don’t know what’s going to come. But whatever’s going to come, I’m going to be ready.”
Raul Aguirre, Jr.
Position: Linebacker
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Why did you choose to play college football at Miami?
“I’ve definitely felt like, since I was a kid, Miami was the place for me. Originally, I’m from down here. I lived down here when I was younger. We moved when I was 10, but my whole family is from down here and I’ve always loved watching Miami football. Now, the fact that I’m able to choose what school I want to go to, and Miami wants me, of course, it was the right decision…Miami is special. They have not just great players that want to come here and make the team great, they have a great coaching staff and great people. I think that’s the biggest thing when you look around away from football, people that actually truly care about you…Miami is a special place for me and my family. It felt like a perfect decision.”
Who’s your favorite Hurricane, past or present?
“I’m going to have to say Ray Lewis. I really like Ed Reed’s mindset and playing, too…They were football. It was like ‘What are you going to do?’ It’s what I love, and you have to be strong. So, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, for sure.”
What’s your favorite football memory?
“Probably playing with my brother, Markel. He’s a freshman. Probably playing with him my senior year. He started behind me, and I saw him go nuts – two interceptions one game, three blocked punts one game, took one back to the house. Being able to play with him…just to see him do that…that was the best moment.”
Who is your role model and why?
“My mom, Constance. The fact that she’s able to do what she does, get up for work every day and do it all…of course, there have been struggles. But she stays strong. My dad pushes me with everything, and I appreciate him for that. But my mom has really taken the load.”
What makes Miami football so special?
“The swag. The fact that since I was young, I was watching. You’d turn on the TV and watching everybody come to the game. When Miami’s good, nobody can mess with them…I think that’s special. No other team has that ability to have that. And then there’s the city. It’s Miami…there are a lot of opportunities in this city. That’s what made me want to come here.”
Rueben Bain, Jr.
Position: Defensive line
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Why did you choose to play college football at Miami?
“It felt like home and the best place for me on and off the field. Having the chance to play for your city is a good feeling, a good opportunity and I took that opportunity.”
Who’s your favorite Hurricane, past or present?
“I’d have to say my uncle, Tolbert Bain. He’s bigger, a big dude who played DB. He was a bigger DB, especially for his time frame. And from what I know, he talked a lot of trash. I’m the opposite of that. There’s a little contradiction there.”
Who’s your role model and why?
“I’d probably say my brother. He did the college student-athlete path before me, and I was able to see him. I was there almost every step of the way. Now, I’m doing it, and he’s there with me, too.”
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
“I’m a photographer. Around seventh grade, my uncle bought me a camera and I just kept taking pictures. I liked it and I’ve been doing it since then.”
What makes Miami football so special?
“I’d say the swagger that comes with it and really, the best team in college football. When Miami’s on top, nothing’s better than that…When Miami is doing its thing, that’s when everything is going right.”