Manny Diaz created the striker position as the defensive coordinator during spring practice in 2018. He did so because the Miami football team had a surplus of safeties. Romeo Finley broke through in 2018 playing Striker. Finley more than doubled his tackle total the last two seasons.
Finley had 13 tackles and one pass breakup as a freshman and sophomore combined in 2016 and ’17. He was moved from safety to striker in spring 2018. As a striker in fall 2018, Finley recorded 28 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and four pass breakups.