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2 weeks to National Signing Day. The sprint is real.
Richt dropping fringe commits
Before we get to the breakdown, I just want to make note that Mark Richt and staff are wasting no time in dropping the players from this class that they don't want. Drops. Trimming the fat. Telling to seek shelter elsewhere. No matter what you call it, they have come in and immediately gotten to work about the business of eliminating the players that, in their minds, are not Miami Quality.
AND I'M FINE WITH THAT.
This is what we brought the staff here to do. We didn't bring them in to do the same things that Al Golden did. We brought them in to change things up, shake things up and get Miami back to the level of competitiveness and WINNING to which we are accustomed.
So you have the list, here are the guys that CMR and staff have dropped:
- RB Juwon Hamilton
- ATH/WR Desmond Phillips
- WR Reginald Henderson
- DE Jaquwan Nelson
- CB Deion Jackson
Must Reads
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Offensive Line
Must Reads
Must Reads
Defensive Line
Need: 4+
Committed: 2 (1 enrolled)
4-star End Patrick Bethel has already enrolled at Miami. He's set in stone in this class. Fellow DE commit 4-star Joseph Jackson is, perhaps, the best player in this class that nobody is talking about.
Miami has dropped Jaquwan Nelson. There's been little to no communication and he has no visit scheduled. We've parted ways with him, and I've taken him off the commit list. He won't be in this class.
Glen Logan has emerged as the top target at DT. There is much chatter that the LSU commit may be primed for a flip away from the Tigers. With an official visit to Coral Gables booked for this week, Miami may be in position to steal this talented player.
DT Briston Guidry, an Arkansas commit, had a fantastic visit last week. While he's considering his options, he is visiting Arkansas this week. Miami would have had to have made a HUGE MOVE last week to get him to flip now. But, there's time before NSD to still work.
DT Marcel Southall may or may not be coming on his visit this weekend. He's being pursued by several SEC/Big12 teams, and may be considering visiting one of them instead.
Linebacker
Need: 3
Committed: 3 (all enrolled)
All 3 LB recruits, 4-stars Zach McCloud, Michael Pinckney, and Shaq Quarterman, are early enrollees, and have already begun classes at Miami.
With all 3 on campus, and already on the roster, Miami is done recruiting at this spot, unless an uber elite national recruit wants in on this class at the last minute (which is highly unlikely, so don't get your hopes up).
In any event, I believe this is the best trio of LB recruits committed to any school in America for this cycle, so Miami is in a good place either way.
Defensive Back
Need: 4+
Committed: 4
Much like WR, same number of commits from last week but different names on this list. Commits are Tyler Byrd, Cedrick Wright, James Wiggins, with All-American Malek Young as the new name on the list.
I know recruiting sites have Deion Jackson still on the list, but as I wrote in the weekend recap, Miami is not recruiting Jackson, and he will not be in this class. As such, I've dropped him from the list, and won't discuss him any further.
Now, for the other targets at DB, there are plenty. A week ago, commit James Wiggins looked to be on his way out of this class. But, since then he has had medium contact with the Miami staff. CB coach Mike Rumph and Wiggins have communicated, but he hasn't yet heard from Mark Richt. Wiggins is visiting this weekend so we'll know where his recruitment stands real soon.
Safety Jeff James, nephew of Canes legend Edgerrin James, is a curious case. He tweeted out that he committed to Miami, but InsideTheU.com reported that the younger James is not a take for Miami at this time. James has only played 1 year of football, but was named 2nd team All-State for Florida's class 8A when he did. The complicating factor is his relationship to Edge and also former Canes RB Javarris James. We'll see what happens here. But, if Miami were to take James, they'd be taking a player with some athleticism, but lacking physical development and skill. He's 2 years away from playing here at a minimum.
Shyheim Carter visited last weekend, and reportedly had a very good experience. Miami is trying to make a move here with this All-American talent, but, even with this amazing visit to Coral Gables having happened, Alabama is considered the favorite to land Carter.
JJ Givens had a visit last weekend which he called "one of the greatest experiences of my life". Canes coaches are said to be hosting an in-home visit with Givens soon, and it would not surprise me if he committed during that in-home.
Romeo Finley is visiting on the 29th, and he's the kind of physical player DC Manny Diaz and Safety coach Ephraim Banda want at that position. Finley is highly sought after, so Miami will have to work very hard and smart over the next 2 weeks to get him into the fold.
I mentioned him in the WR section, but Quintez Cephus could end up at Safety were he to sign with Miami.
Aaron Robinson wasn't able to make his visit last weekend, but plans to be on campus this weekend. Miami is trying to flip the Gators commit. Another UF commit Miami is working on is CJ McWilliams. He received an in-home visit earlier this week. McWilliams had his OV earlier in the fall. There are different reports on which UF commit may be the more likely flip. Miami continues to work on both players.
On top of all those players listed, it wouldn't surprise me if other additional names pop up in the near future. Miami is clearly looking to add both depth and talent at the DB positions, and they'll move quickly in efforts to do so.
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That's it. Comment away.