Miami Hurricanes Recruiting Radar: Let's get caught up

So, it's been a relatively quiet few months on the recruiting trail. But, just because there haven't been a lot of headlines doesn't mean that Al Golden and staff haven't been recruiting. They have, just like everybody else.

But, before I talk about that (article coming later this week), let's look back at the couple of events that have been noteworthy recently:

RB Mark Walton reclassifies to 2015

This was in the works and rumored for a long time. Booker T. Washington standout RB Mark Walton has completed his transition from the class of 2016 to his original class of 2015. That move gave the Canes 4 top RB prospects committed in this class, a group that unparalleled in it's depth and talent. That was until....

RB Jordan Cronkrite Decommits

As many thought he would if Walton's move to 2015 went through (which it did), Westminster Christian RB Jordan Cronkrite decommitted from Miami on September 13th. Of the 4 previously committed RBs (Jordan Scarlett, Dexter Williams, Mark Walton, and Cronkrite), Cronkrite was widely considered to be 4th on that list. While losing a 4-star player of Cronkite's caliber isn't ever a GOOD thing, with the 3 RB buffer in this class, this isn't really an issue for the Canes.

CB Michael Jackson Commits

Al Golden and Co. went out of state to Alabama to secure the pledge of Spain Park CB Michael Jackson. Jackson, a 3-star recruit, is a big corner at 6'2" 190lbs in the mold of fellow Alabama product LaDarius Gunter. Jackson isn't the crown jewel of the class, but he is a good player with projectable size and skills. He will be a good, complimentary player after a RS year and improved technique. 247Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons likes the signing. A lot.

Really think #Miami got a big time steal w the commitment of CB Michael Jackson out of Alabama http://t.co/bGLyRezeRh

— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) November 5, 2014

Check out his HUDL highlights below:

CB Garrett Taylor down to 5, including the Canes

Scout.com posted this free article about Taylor and his recruitment. In it, the former University of Michigan commit from Richmond, VA says that he's planning on taking his official visits, and Miami may get one of them. Now, at this point Taylor (6'1" 190lbs) is unsure whether he will visit Coral Gables, but the inclusion of Miami in the conversation is promising.

With Taylor's stated stance that he will take Official Visits in December and January as National Signing Day nears, there is hope that he will end up visiting Coral Gables. And, if that happens, anything is possible.

Here are Taylor's HUDL highlights:

OL target Jalen Merrick has Canes and Gators on top

A highly touted prospect for the Offensive Line, Jalen Merrick has 2 schools tied atop his list: Miami and Florida. Merrick may not take official visits to either school, but he's been to campus multiple times, so that shouldn't really be a concern. Merrick could slot in nicely with this OL class which now has an open spot, because...

OL Leeward Brown Decommits

Brown, a standout Guard from Miramar HS, decommitted from the Canes on October 28th. Brown, who hails from the same school that produced current Canes Ryan Williams, Malcolm Lewis, Tracy Howard, and Jermaine Grace, figures to follow 5 of his current teammates who are committed to join his former Miramar coach Damon Cogdell at West Virginia. Some say this won't happen, because WVU hasn't offered Brown, but I don't see the lack of a current offer as a big deal. Start counting the days until Brown says he's going to Morgantown.

JUCO TE Jerome Washington Commits

A raw player who is a late bloomer, Gattaca JUCO TE Jerome Washington has committed to Miami. You can read more about that here. Washington is a a rare JUCO player who has 4 years to play 4 in college, and brings size, athleticism, and projectable skills to the table. And, he keeps the pipeline to New Jersey open.

Now you're all caught up. And, tomorrow, we'll look ahead to who's visiting for the FSU game and what it means in the greater scheme of this recruiting class.