Thomas Brown: RAB victory has created “positive momentum in recruiting”

Thomas Brown, offensive coordinator and running backs’ coach for the Miami Hurricanes, said Wednesday that the recruiting tide has shifted since their 31-14 bowl victory over West Virginia last week.

“I think we have some good momentum going,” Brown said during a radio interview with 560 WQAM this morning. “Coming into the season I think a couple of guys were trying to figure out how well our team would do this year -- I think it always help to win and add some positive momentum in recruiting.”

The win gave Miami their first bowl victory in a decade, and helped the ‘Canes finish the season on a five game win streak for the first time since 2001. Mark Richt has arguably already accomplished more than Al Golden and Randy Shannon, and the Hurricanes now feel their progress will come to fruition on the recruiting trail.

“We’ve got a bunch of guys that have already committed to us and some guys that have made some solid commitments to us that haven’t made it public yet,” Brown said. “I think we have to continue to build a fence around those areas (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach) and continue to overpopulate those areas and prove to these guys that Miami is the place for them.”

The ‘Canes lose depth at certain positions such as wide receiver in 2017, but bring back starters at other positions such as linebacker. The depth issue is a situation Richt and his staff stepped into in 2015, and is a problem they continue to tackle with this class.

Brown is confident in the crop of recruits Miami is bringing in next season, and stressed that the Hurricanes are looking more towards the best overall players than specific positions.

“I’ve been trying to get the best players available no matter what position they are,” Brown said. “We have certain needs at different spots and offering guys that are leaving early to try and leave some voids open in your roster, but also give some guys an opportunity that want to come in as true freshman and compete for spots.”

Due to Brad Kaaya’s departure to the NFL Draft, the quarterback position is wide open at Miami, with a battle between veterans and incoming freshmen set to take place.

“I think it is going to be a wide-open competition,” Brown said. “We’ve got some very talented guys on that roster that have been competing all throughout spring and all throughout fall season and offseason, and we are adding a couple other guys.”

The quarterback competition will steal all headlines this offseason in Miami; and although their is no apparent frontrunner at this point, Brown said a mobile quarterback would provide a new dimension to this offense.

“It adds a different element to your offense,” Brown said. “Guys that can be mobile, use their feet and extend plays, can keep drives alive.”