/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54797435/nkosi_perry_mark_richt_1000.0.jpg)
The Miami Hurricanes have continued to rebuild and restock the roster through recruiting. 10 11 players enrolled early in January, and participated in Spring Practice. The list can be found right here:
They’re here! Miami Hurricanes officially announce 10 Early Enrollees. #Canes #TheU #Squad17 https://t.co/fFY6PDumhO pic.twitter.com/LSQtxMdnj4
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) January 25, 2017
Now, with the academic year ending and HS graduations around the corner, the balance of the 2017 recruiting class ill begin making their way to Coral Gables this weekend. They'll be moving into the dorms, getting their Cane Cards, and becoming the newest enrollees at The U, just ahead of Summer Session A starting on Monday.
This is the group that's on the way now:
QB N’Kosi Perry
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6215961/6_4320914.0.jpg)
Mark Richt’s hand-picked, top of the board QB prospect, Perry’s arrival has been long awaited and much anticipated. Absolutely the headliner of the Summer A group. Perry will begin the work of learning the offense and getting an on-field rapport with the receivers to make a run at the starting QB job when fall camp starts in August.
2017 Recruit Notebook: QB N’Kosi Perry. Meet #Canes’ QB of the future (& present?) #NSD2017 https://t.co/hPhykDAHj6 pic.twitter.com/dotqWeb4KN
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
WR Jeff Thomas
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8337749/Screen_Shot_2017_04_13_at_6.59.08_PM.png)
One of the fastest players in America, Thomas looks to add a game-breaking element of pure, unadulterated SPEED that has been missing from the Canes’ offense in recent years. There had previously been some academic concerns with Thomas, but he’s worked diligently to get on solid ground there, and, by all accounts, will be fully cleared and enrolled. That’s a HUGE win for Miami, you guys.
2017 Recruit Notebook: WR Jeff Thomas. Exciting, versatile, dynamic WR joins #Canes #NSD2017 https://t.co/XLCn15Mi5E pic.twitter.com/YGaUDbwmcM
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
WR Mike Harley
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7872261/6_4748524.jpg)
Another speedster, Mike Harley joins Thomas at WR in the arriving group. Both players can score from anywhere on the field, and are equally as dangerous as receivers as they are returners. Speed on speed on speed. Let’s get it.
2017 Recruit Notebook: WR Mike Harley. #Canes add speedster for offense & returns #NSD2017 https://t.co/w9lLAwKeQP pic.twitter.com/E9q8rwYk3j
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
Citadel CB Dee Delaney
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8523625/6_5271670.jpg)
A grad transfer who figures to play a big role right away, Delaney will help to shore up the previously-thin Cornerback position for Miami. While he previously plied his trade at The Citadel at the FCS level, Delaney was thought to be a mid-round NFL Draft prospect for 2017. So, Miami is getting a potential NFL player to come down and hopefully help the team while improving his skill and NFL Draft stock at the same time. Let’s get it.
#WelcomeToTheU, Dee Delaney. FCS All-American CB @deethatguy announces transfer to #Canes https://t.co/YlBb0NkfAF pic.twitter.com/UxbPPvp6KY
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 28, 2017
JUCO CB Jhavonte Dean
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8523637/Blinn_v_NEO_Jhavonte_Dean_story1200.jpg)
Another plug-and-play CB, Dean will see heavy snaps in 2017. A Homestead, FL native, Dean is coming home to continue his football career. He has a great combination of size (6’2”) and speed (4.3-range in the 40), and will continue to grow in working with CB coach Mike Rumph.
2017 Recruit Notebook: CB Jhavonte Dean. Game-ready CB will play right away #Canes #NSD2017 https://t.co/4YVsEcPWmj pic.twitter.com/8h6DisOaie
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
CB Trajan Bandy
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6834767/6_4678660.0.jpg)
Yup, another CB who figures to play heavy snaps in 2017, Bandy has a tenacity that will play well. He’s short (5’9”) but he plays bigger than his height, and he DEFINITELY has a chip on his shoulder for all those who said that he’s too small to play at Miami. Figure on a lot of nickel and special team snaps for Bandy this year, and a bigger and more diverse role as he develops. Similar to Corn Elder’s developmental path.
2017 Recruit Notebook: CB Trajan Bandy. Meet your fav 2017 Recruit, guys! #Canes #NSD2017 https://t.co/sURrKX8KxC pic.twitter.com/Agtpeaps09
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
OT Kai-Leon Herbert
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8523697/6_4974374.jpg)
Miami needs OTs, and Herbert is a good one. He has good footwork and balance, along with long arms that should help him be a good player at Miami. Herbert does need to put on some size and add strength, but he’s already up to 305lbs, so he’s well on his way there.
2017 Recruit Notebook: OL Kai-Leon Herbert. Talented OT big get, upgrades #Canes OL #NSD2017 https://t.co/ff0HZw88Lj pic.twitter.com/o81483rsye
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
OG/OC Corey Gaynor
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8523715/3779911_c8f0566e76b4487b902d2c433b004336.jpg)
A good and tough interior lineman, Gaynor quickly became a fan favorite with his outspoken nature, love for the Canes, and highlight reel that is FULL of vicious, devastating, bone-rattling blocks. Gaynor has the chance to step into major playing time early, and that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
2017 Recruit Notebook: OL Corey Gaynor. Meet Miami’s Center of the future. #Canes #NSD2017 https://t.co/qUcrb1nBl9 pic.twitter.com/4EafAohoA8
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
OT Zalon’Tae Hillery
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8523745/6_4861167.jpg)
Hillery gets to reconnect with former HS teammate and early enrollee DeeJay Dallas when he hits campus this week. A talented player with good potential, Hillery will probably take a redshirt in 2017. But, he has good size (6’6” 280lbs), and should develop
2017 Recruit Notebook: OL Zalontae Hillery. OL with great future potential. #Canes #NSD2017 https://t.co/NvIuhl0FL5 pic.twitter.com/A59kAcJMoD
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
S Derrick Smith
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8539785/26_4998017.jpg)
A late addition to this article (my bad, guys), Smith is a player with good size at 6’2” 190lbs. He hails from a powerhouse program — Jacksonville (FL) Trinity Christian Academy — and reunites with former HSFB teammate DT Kendrick Norton in Coral Gables. With Miami having lost multiple Safeties in recent years, there is playing time to be had. At the least, Smith should contribute on Special Teams in 2017, with a bigger role possibly on deck in the future.
2017 Recruit Notebook: S Derrick Smith. Talented DB joins #Canes’ secondary #NSD2017 https://t.co/jyZ8fp9clC pic.twitter.com/k3ZWSW28s6
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) February 1, 2017
Those are your Summer A enrollees. And, for clarity, your Summer B enrollees will be
- DE D.J. Johnson
- WR Evidence Njoku
- DT Jon Ford
- LB De’Andre Wilder
- P Zach Feagles
Let’s get to work, gentlemen.