In this installment of the Recruit Notebook, we meet a player with a serious mean streak, and I mean that in the best way possible: OL Corey Gaynor.

Bio

A late rising player from Parkland (FL) Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, Corey Gaynor isn’t just your average “project” recruit. The 6’4” 285lb Gaynor, a first team All-County selection, playing in Florida’s largest classification: 8A.

Like others in this class, Gaynor took a leap forward as a senior, imposing his will and displaying his physical strength against some top tier competition. Gaynor’s HUDL highlights note that he had 106 (!!!!) pancake blocks in 2016, which is a large number. Through his senior season, Gaynor was committed to Minnesota — Pre PJ Fleck Minnesota — but once Miami showed interest in him, Gaynor flipped his commitment to the hometown Canes in short order.

Gaynor might not be a household name, but he’s got good size, good strength, and a mean streak that comes in handy playing on the interior of the offensive line. He’s not the biggest name in this class, but Gaynor is a player who should have a role on Miami’s team in the future.

Recruiting Ranking

On the 247sports composite, Gaynor is a 3-star prospect, the #15 Center in this class, #182 in the State of Florida, and #1294 recruit overall. Gaynor has good size at 6’4” 285lbs, and could develop into a nice Center for the Canes in time. This transition will take some time for Gaynor, a HS guard, but he has the tools to be a solid player at Center.

Gaynor picked Miami over 17 other offers, including Minnesota, UCF, USF, and West Virginia.

Gaynor as a player

Gaynor is a mean S.O.B, and he plays like it. 106 pancakes as a senior, and plenty of nice work blocking for his team. Gaynor did well in run blocking, and showed good athleticism when pulling on Power-O and similar plays.

Since Gaynor’s HL’s are mainly clips of him run blocking, I think it’s fair to say that he could use some work to develop in pass protection as he moves up to the college level.

For more on Gaynor’s game, here’s an eval from a HSFB coach:

I've read that Corey projects to play center and he is exactly what Miami needs at center to replace a somebody like Linder. Gaynor is an animal, I'll avoid all the other cliches about motor and stick to animal. He is a refined player with good fundamentals and the intangible quality of being mean and playing mean. He reminds me of KC Jones with the body type but I don't remember a kids tape being this physical ever. His punch comes from his butt being down to his ankles and exploding up like a textbook squat or power clean. He’s explosive in the hips unlike the other guys in the class. He has endless leg drive, and OL coaches love legs chopping like pistons. The footwork is there, he's not clumsy or a leaner. He uses his hands and arms for a punch, he doesn’t clinch inside and throw, he punches and drives.

Gaynor is ready fundamentally I just hope he's ready to not be the baddest dude in the yard, but honestly the Miami offensive line isn't exactly filled with tough guys looking for a fight. He has good size for a center at 6'4 and is already filled out at 280 with good weight

2017 Outlook

Gaynor is an upgrade on the interior line over several “project”-type players brought in by the previous staff. By the virtue of his projected switch from Guard to Center, Gaynor may need time to get acclimated to the new position before seeing PT.

Chances for a redshirt: 9/10

I’m leaving the door open that Gaynor continues his progression from junior to senior year as he moves up to the college level. However, with incumbent C Nick Linder returning to the field in 2017, and other players who can step in at Guard as well, Gaynor may have to wait a year to have his number called.

That’s it for this installment of the Recruit Notebook.

Go Canes