Miami Hurricanes Recruiting: 2018 Top247 Final Update

To be clear, this article is in reference to 247Sports’ own site rankings, the Top247, NOT the 247Composite, in which all 3 major recruiting site’s rankings are taken into account and combined together.

All-Star season is over and that signifies that we’ve come to end of the recruiting cycle. Through all the camps, 7-on-7’s, and their senior season, it’s been a long journey for the Class of 2018. Spring, summer, fall, and winter evaluations have brought changes for most prospects, both up and down, and now it’s time for a lasting assessment of these seniors.

247Sports released their final rankings of the cycle for 2018 last week and, as always, there were some notable changes in the Top247. Brevin Jordan was bumped up to the #2 TE in the country and #72 overall, while Nesta Silvera is now the #3 ranked DT in the nation, and at #42 overall, Miami’s new highest-rated commit according to 247Sports. Mark Pope (#43) and Lorenzo Lingard (#44) slot in just behind Silvera.

Miami’s QB signee Jarren Williams made the move into the top 100, jumping 21 spots to #89 overall and is now the #4 pro-style QB. Another making a big jump was Brian Hightower, who put on a show at the U.S. Army All-America Bowl. After some highlight-reel worthy plays both in practice and the game, the IMG product got a well-deserved triple digit boost to #126 overall.

As of today, Miami has the #6 class nationally and that is reflected in this list, but if there seems like there’s less Hurricanes’ commits in the rankings this round, it’s because there is. Josh Jobe did his disappearing act from Miami’s commit list, while Delone Scaife somehow got the bump off the Top247 after previously being on the fringe, bringing the Storm18 count to 10.

Below you can find a handy little chart of all the changes, up and down, of Miami commits within the final Top247.

Biggest Riser: DT Nesta Silvera (+142)

Silvera has bull-rushed his way up the rankings into the top 50 overall after a standout performance at the Army All-America Bowl to follow up a huge senior season. He’s cut some bad weight and was outright pushing guys around at times in the all-star game. Silvera was one of the most disruptive interior defenders at the all-star event, and his brute strength was a nightmare for offensive guards when paired with his quickness off the snap. As the only commit that did not sign early, the importance of getting Silvera to sign on the dotted line can not be overstated, especially now that Kendrick Norton and RJ McIntosh have gone pro.

Biggest Slider: CB Al Blades Jr. (-71)

Blades Jr. had a rough senior year at St. Thomas, coming off the bench and seeing limited snaps in the Aquinas’ talented defensive backfield. He wasn’t getting completely burnt at the Under-Armour All-American Game or anything, but he wasn’t making any standout plays either. Originally a top 50 player, Blades Jr.’s ranking has steadily declined throughout the cycle and it’s clear he is a bit behind in his development from where he was projected to be at this point. Even so, Blades Jr. has worlds of upside as a lanky DB’s that’s still growing into his body. The potential is there, it just may take Mike Rumph a little longer to unlock it.

Most Surprising: OL Delone Scaife (N/A)

Scaife had an up and down Under-Armour Game, but showed his skills in practice, and, with the consistent dominance he’s shown throughout the cycle, it’s pretty blasphemous to have him outside the Top247. The big man has shown out at multiple camps against elite competition during the spring and summer, even winning Offensive Line MVP at the Rivals 5-Star Challenge and holding his own at The Opening, before having a strong senior season for title-winning Miami Southridge. Scaife struggled a bit at tackle fending speed off the edge in the UA game, but was able to show off his raw power a little more at guard. He’ll likely start off his career at guard at Miami, at least until he adjusts to the speed of the college game.