Recruiting Radar: 1/29 Daily Update

After a day off, the daily update is back. Let's get into it.

Jovani Haskins commits to Miami

A talented TE from New Jersey, 3-star Jovani Haskins committed to Miami on Thursday night. This is a recruiting win for Mark Richt and the Canes, as Haskins was thought to be a heavy lean to West Virginia. Additionally, it's proof positive of new TE coach Todd Hartley's reported recruiting ability. All in all, a very good get for Miami. Read all the details in the link below:

#WelcomeToTheU, Jovani Haskins. Jumbo athlete from NJ commits to #Canes over WVU, VT. #TheU https://t.co/90RwMX1O19 pic.twitter.com/Y98gO613ol

— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) January 29, 2016

Surprise visitor: Tyler Simmons??

In yesterday's Official Visit Preview, I wondered who might be the surprise visitor to Coral Gables this week. And, it seems we may already have an answer as to who it is.

Canesport.com reported yesterday ($) that 4-star WR Tyler Simmons would be taking an official visit to Coral Gables this weekend. A Georgia native, Simmons has been committed to Alabama since January 2nd. If that's not a testament to his talent and potential, I don't know what is.

The plot thickens, however. Nick Saban is notorious in recruiting circles for not letting committed players take visits this close to National Signing Day, if at all. With the report of Simmons' visit now out in the open, rumors are that Saban is none too pleased with the 5'11" 194lb Simmons.

Canesport reported that once Alabama coaches found out about Simmons' potential visit plans, they immediately went to Simmons for a face to face visit. "They're pissed" Simmons said.

Simmons said his visit is not yet finalized, and he should know more today (his travel day if he's to visit campus). So, we watch and wait. But I, for one, hope Simmons visits. I ain't scared of Saban. HE AIN'T CROOTED NOBODY!!!!!! Simmons' HUDL highlights are below:

Ahmmon Richards: "Miami thinks I'm going to be a Cane"

A quick update here: Richards told Canesport.com ($) that the UM coaches think he'll be a Cane. This, after multiple recruiting writers having said they think or expect Richards to pick Miami on National Signing Day could potentially be a big, BIG win for Mark Richt and the Canes.

But, to his credit, Richards said he's "still unsure" about which team (Alabama, Auburn, or Miami) he's going to pick. So, there's cause for optimism, just be cautious with it.

Miami visits Tyler Byrd

Ahead of this weekend's scheduled visit to Tennessee, Miami coaches visited prized commit Tyler Byrd on Thursday. Miami is making a big push to solidify Byrd's commitment, and rightfully so.

Some think Byrd is the best player committed to Miami in this class, and the Canes need defenders of his caliber badly, especially at cornerback, where the depth chart is thin.

Byrd has maintained that he's solidly committed to Miami, but the Canes coaches are taking no chances. They wanted to do everything they could to make sure Byrd will be in this class. Stay tuned.

Kelvin Harmon to announce on Monday

A former South Carolina commitment, 3-star WR Kelvin Harmon is down to 2 schools for his commitment.

February 1st pic.twitter.com/zkXFnwR3Z6

— Kelvin (@Wide_Receiver9) January 29, 2016

To my eyes, Harmon is a backup plan. He reportedly enjoyed his visit to Miami, but may not have a committable offer at the moment. Here's Miami's WR targets right now:

1. Ahmmon Richards - far and away the #1 target
2. Latrell Williams - committed, but considering Tennessee, so he's on the list
3. Javon Wims - game-ready JUCO star
4. Randrecous Davis - slot receiver with good talent who was committed to CMR and UGA for quite a long time.
5. Eli Stove - Auburn commit who's visiting with his teammate this weekend. Speed merchant
6. Nate Johnson - Michigan commit who's considering Miami and ND for his final commitment

And, that list of target is ON TOP OF holding 3 commits in Sam Bruce, Dionte Mullins, and the above-listed Williams. If Miami could land 1 or more of those listed players, there wouldn't be room for Harmon, a developmental possession receiver, in this class.

Putting that together, I don't think Harmon has a committable offer from Miami, and is being slow-played by the Canes on the chance they miss out on all the WR targets, something I don't foresee happening. So, I say all that to say, congrats to Harmon on his commitment to NC State, but we have bigger fish to fry at WR in this class.

Nick Eubanks to Michigan

I'll keep this short: 4-star TE Nick Eubanks committed to Michigan on Thursday. Miami canceled his mid-week Official Visit, ostensibly because they had already heard from Haskins about his decision to be a Cane.

Eubanks is a talented player who will do well in college. Miami was trying to maybe get him to visit bc his old HS coach, Mike Rumph, now coaches for the Canes.

While Eubanks is not coming to Miami, this is not a recruiting "loss" for the Canes. We tested the waters, had another target who we liked at this position, and went in that direction. Eubanks also considered his options and went another way. But, a recruiting loss is going head to head down to the wire with another team, and that player picking that team.

This isn't that.

So, while Eubanks isn't coming here, that's not a direct loss on the trail. We just weren't connected with him (thanks, Golden) and were with Haskins. Simple as that.

Other Blips on the Radar

• David Furones of The Miami Herald said that 3-star CB CJ McWilliams' visit to UF this weekend is "critical". Furones said that last week's OV to Coral Gables has given McWilliams much to consider, and UF will need to go big to keep him in the class.
• Matt Porter of The Palm Beach Post wrote an interesting article about Miami's new recruiting strategy, and why it can work.

Go Canes!