Earlier in the spring, I wrote a couple of previews looking at the top targets on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball for the 2015 class.
Then, a Canes fan (Matt W) hit me with this interesting question on twitter:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/TheStateOfTheU">@TheStateOfTheU</a> with the huge gets coming out of the spring game,what are the position priorities going forward?</p>— matt W (@caneseye22) <a href="https://twitter.com/caneseye22/statuses/455475749432983552">April 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
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To talk about the priorities, both players and positions, going forward, first we have to take stock of the class as it currently stands. So, here goes
Name | Height | Weight | Position | Rating | Date of Commit |
Dexter Williams | 6'0" | 192lbs | RB | 4* (95.54) | 4/12/14 |
Charles Perry | 6'1" | 200lbs | LB | 3* (87.04) | 6/23/13 |
Scott Patchan | 6'5.5" | 225lbs | DE | 3* (86.74) | 4/12/14 |
Kevin Feder | 6'9" | 305lbs | OT | 3* (85.50) | 1/1914 |
Leeward Brown | 6'3" | 331lbs | OG | 3* (85.67) | 2/19/14 |
Bowman Archibald | 6'5" | 244lbs | TE | 3* (85.30) | 3/20/14 |
Emonee Spence | 6'3" | 181lbs | WR | 3* (84.67) | 1/26/14 |
Ryan Fines | 6'4" | 295lbs | DT | 3* (84.17) | 2/19/14 |
Hayden Mahoney | 6'5" | 270lbs | OL | 3* (84.00) | 3/29/14 |
So, of the 9 current commits, there is 1 4-star player (Williams, who I believe will end up being a 5-star) and 8 3-star players. While stars can be slightly misleading, I believe they tell this story for the Canes right now: to have another "Miami Caliber class" (like we got in 2014), more top talents need to join this class.
Now, based upon that, these are the positions that figure to be priorities in this class:
- DT (insert snide remark or joke here)
- LB (need at least 1 more)
- WR (need another top end guy)
- QB (need 1 every class)
- A 2nd RB in this class
Jaquan Johnson (5'10", 180lbs) - Killian HS, Miami, FL
This 3-time All-Dade performer at Safety, known as "The Franchise" this is a player that's been linked with Miami for years. He is at the absolute top of the list of targets, along with....
Torrance Gibson (6'4", 207lbs), American Heritage School, Plantation, FL
Yes. I said it. Gibson is arguably the #1 target for the Canes this year, and they're all in on him. His stated desire to play QB (even though I, and others, believe his money/NFL position is WR) is being accepted by the coaches, and they're offering him exclusively as a QB. He is a singular athletic talent, and Miami is giving him all the attention in the world.
Tim Irvin (5'9", 186lbs), Westminister Christian, Miami, FL
Another local player with immense clout amongst his peers, Irvin, who plays Safety and is the nephew of NFL Hall of Famer and former UM WR Michael Irvin, is high on the target list. He and Johnson probably have the most pull with other top recruits from South Florida, and Miami is looking to use that to their advantage, as they did with Duke Johnson.
Tyrek Cole (6'0", 170lbs), Miramar HS, Miramar, FL - FSU COMMIT
Cole, a smooth cover corner who attends the same HS as current Canes Tracy Howard, Malcolm Lewis, Jermaine Grace, and Ryan Williams, has been a top target despite his commitment to FSU. This will not change until he signs his LOI.
Brandon Wimbush (6'2", 205lbs), St. Peter's Preparatory School, Jersey City, NJ
A talented QB who has unofficially visited campus 3 times despite his distance from South Florida, Wimbush is an elite talent and very good passer. The favorite for now to be the QB in this class.
Kahlil McKenzie (6'4", 309lbs), De La Salle HS, Concord, CA
This strong DT hails from the same HS that former Cane D.J. Williams attended. Will be a top national recruit as his position.
Devonaire Clarington (6'6", 227lbs), Champagnat Catholic, Hialeah, FL
Many see UM taking 2 TE's in this class. With Bowman Archibald currently committed, Clarington is the player the coaching staff are looking at to join this class and complete this position group for this cycle.
Jacques Patrick (6'2", 220lbs), Timber Creek HS, Orlando, FL
Jordan Cronkrite (5'11", 196lbs), Westminster Christian, Miami, FL
Both of the above players are talented RBs who would fit nicely with Williams in this class. Miami figures to take 2 and maybe 3 at this position this cycle, so both are still very much in play. Cronkrite is considered a Cane lean, and Patrick a heavy FSU lean at the moment.
Calvin Ridley (6'2", 170lbs), Monarch HS, Coconut Creek, FL
Shawn Burgess-Becker (6'1", 185lbs), Monarch HS, Coconut Creek, FL
Devante Peete (6'5", 200lbs), St. Thomas Aquinas, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Miami brought in 4 WRs in the 2014 cycle, and have one (Emonee Spence) already committed int he 2015 class. The focus at this position now rests with these 3 and Deon Cain. Burgess-Becker will probably be switched to S, his higher potential position when he hits college. Ridley and Burgess-Becker are Alabama leans, and Peete is a UM lean at the moment.
Marcus Lewis (6'1", 187lbs), Gonzaga HS, Washington, DC
Another player from the Mid-East region, Lewis is an athletic CB with great length. He's quietly and quickly become a top target for Miami, and figures to receive constant contact through the recruiting process.
So, those are, in my estimation, the priority positions and players as the 2015 recruiting cycle continues. Be sure to check back for more recruiting coverage throughout this process.