Welcome back for another installment of our Miami Hurricanes Class Breakdown.
If you’re new here, the Class Breakdown is our monthly look at the Canes’ recruiting class, with the commits currently in the class, and updates and chatter about those players and others who are on the radar for UM.
REMINDER: recruiting is a fluid construct, and this list is not exhaustive. New names will pop up, and old names will fade away, over the course of this cycle. Which happens every year. And I wanted to remind you of that fact.
And away we go.
Class Numbers
I wrote about this already earlier in the spring and you can read the whole piece here. I’ve updated those numbers slightly (which I spoke about in this space in May), and here are the updated numbers for this class:
Miami Hurricanes 2019 Class Numbers (updated)
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DE | DT | LB | CB | S | Best Available |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DE | DT | LB | CB | S | Best Available |
1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | (Any extra spots not filled) |
Those are the numbers. Now, let’s look at the recruiting landscape of each position group.
Quarterback
Need: 1
Committed: 0
Recruiting Rule #1 is that you have to have a QB in every recruiting class. For Miami, that’s going to be a challenge because the Canes were all-in on one player for most of this cycle, and the available talent — including the former target — is sparse, and that’s putting things nicely.
While Miami isn’t pushing for any commitment or flip at this time, there have been reports that the Canes reached out to Monroe (NC) Sun Valley 4-star Sam Howell. A Florida State commit, Howell has recently said that he’s still fully committed to Willie Taggart and FSU, so something would likely have to change for Miami to make a move here. Yes, even with FSU having a terrible season.
Outside of Howell, the next best option for Miami may be to get a grad transfer or JUCO QB. No, I don’t have names (and Kelly Bryant isn’t looking at Miami, so I’ll cut you off at the pass there), but I wanted to note that this route is a way that Miami could go in search of their QB for this class.
Quarterback is the most important position on any roster, and Miami’s QB situation, uh, could be better. It remains to be seen if/how a recruit or transfer at this position will impact the Canes’ fortunes moving forward.
And, I should also note that Miami could go back to their previously stated paradigm of not taking a QB in this class. That was the statement after former target Michael Johnson II committed to Penn State, and though Miami is evaluating players at this position, no moves are being made, so Miami COULD reasonably decide to pass on a QB in this cycle. Not optimal, by any means, but entirely possible.
Running Back
Need: 2
Committed: 1
Miami is off to another good start at RB, already having Jacksonville (FL) Trinity Christian Academy 3-star Marcus Crowley committed in this class. Crowley has already seen his stock rise, and that will be reflected once rankings update in the spring. In any event, the 6’1” 200lb Crowley will be a key player on a State Championship caliber team once again this fall, and is a very good get for Miami in this class.
With Crowley having a monster season (well over 1,000 yards, averaging something like 8+ yards per carry, 2 consecutive 260+ yard games), other teams have taken note. Most notably, Ohio State has recently offered Crowley a scholarship, and he will take an official visit to Columbus this weekend (November 3rd). Urban Meyer has previously recruited several top tier players from Trinity Christian Academy, and is known to be a strong recruiter, particularly in Florida, where Meyer once coached and won championships, so this situation is worth watching.
Even without other teams checking in on Crowley’s commitment, the Canes have been and are looking at other players to add at RB in this class.
Miami’s top target is Ft. Lauderdale (FL) University School 4-star Kenny McIntosh. He is the younger brother of former Canes DT RJ McIntosh, and at 6’1 205lbs McIntosh has great size and athleticism for the position. For a long time, it appeared as though McIntosh would surely come to Miami.
That has changed.
As this cycle has drawn out, the connection between Miami and McIntosh has seemed to weaken, while other teams — Oklahoma most notably — have moved up. Georgia is another team looking to make moves on McIntosh after prized 5-star RB John Emery decommitted from the Dawgs recently. I’m not saying McIntosh isn’t coming to Miami. I’m saying that it is nowhere near the lock it seemed in the spring and summer. So, we’ll see.
It’s now time to list Wellington (FL) 4-star ATH Mark-Antony Richards exclusively at RB. The younger brother of former Canes star WR Ahmmon Richards plays both ways in HS, and but wants to play offense in college. I like the younger Richards on defense more than offense, as did Miami, who initially offered him as a Safety. But, with Richards stated desire to play on offense, Miami switched RB coach Thomas Brown to be the lead recruiter, and have gone forward viewing Richards as an RB. Don’t think this is a pity move; Richards is damn good.
But, you know who has noticed Richards’s ability? Other schools. Penn State, Auburn, and others are vying with Miami for MAR’s commitment. And, like with McIntosh, things are not as favorable for Miami as they once were. No, I’m not saying MAR is going somewhere else, but there was a thought that in the end, he would end up at Miami. While that may still be the case, that is not as firm a thought as it once was.
So, needless to say, if Miami wants to have the kind of RB class they desire, the gameplan should be:
- Lock down Crowley against OSU’s late engagement
- Turn the tide with either Richards or McIntosh
There is yet another option for RBs in this class: take only 1 and then push for 2 RBs in 2020. There are solid options in 2020, but that’s far and away my least favorite option. Miami has long said they wanted 2 RBs in this class, and there are plenty of Miami-caliber options with varying levels of interest in the Canes, so I’d like to see that happen.
There’s no other name worth mentioning at RB at this time. If you want more names, look back through the previous installments of this piece. Should that change, however, then an update will be shared.
Wide Receiver
Need: 2
Committed: 1
I was convinced the number at WR was 2 for this year for a while. That belief was strengthened when star WR Ahmmon Richards was forced to retire from football due to a neck injury. But, as I said, Miami has been looking at a 2 WR class for a while, and still are, but the Richards retirement reinforced that idea and pursuit
Miami holds a commitment from Neptune Beach (FL) Duncan U. Fletcher 4-star Jeremiah Payton. At 6’1” 190lbs, Payton has good size and elite playmaking ability on the outside. He’s a top 100 player in this class, and was the top target to commit this spring. Area recruiter Todd Hartley got another good one from Jacksonville for Miami.
Miami is now fully engaged in recruiting Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove 5-star Jadon Haselwood. The top WR in this class, Haselwood was on campus for an unofficial visit in May, and again for an extended visit for Paradise Camp in July. The real movement here since the last installment of the Class Breakdown was Haselwood’s decommitment from Georgia — where he had been committed for nearly 18 months — and official visit to Miami for the Florida State game on October 6th.
Miami Hurricanes Recruiting Radar: 5-star WR Jadon Haselwood decommits from Georgia. Can Miami make a move to steal a top 3 player in America out of his own back yard? #Canes #TheU https://t.co/CI55X0mRSt pic.twitter.com/5cIBFlZKHm
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) October 3, 2018
Miami Hurricanes Recruiting Radar: Official Visit preview 10/5. #Canes hosting several key OV’s this week, and a TON of other elite talent will be on hand for Miami-FSU on Saturday night as well. #TheU https://t.co/n6bIZVgPR2 pic.twitter.com/lMn0eA7Y5E
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) October 5, 2018
On top of the 3 recruiting trips to Coral Gables in the past year, Haselwood and his family were on South Beach this past weekend to celebrate his mother’s birthday. While not directly related to this recruitment, another trip to the 305 could speak to Haselwood’s reported desire to play his college football near a major city, which he could certainly do if he chose Miami.
Haselwood, who received his adidas All-American Game jersey this week, has stated in interviews recently that Auburn, Tennessee, Miami, Georgia, and Oklahoma are the teams recruiting him hardest at this point. And, though there has been talk of momentum for Miami after his decommitment from Georgia and subsequent OV to the Gables, Haselwood is still in the midst of the recruiting process, and will take his time before making a decision. There’s a ways to go before this one is over, so buckle up.
Miami has also offered Lake City (FL) Columbia 4-star T.J. Jones. The 6’1” 185lb speedster has talent and is a gamebreaking player for his team, but Jones squarely behind Haselwood on Miami’s board at current. Jones took an unofficial to Hard Rock Stadium for the Florida State game, so there’s interest on some level, and a documented game visit. Depending on how things go with Haselwood, Jones might be a real option for WR2 with great skill to add to this class.
Other WRs have offers, but none are noteworthy enough to mention at this time. Miami is shooting for high-end talent only at WR this year, and are content to take only 1 WR — the already-committed Payton — instead of reaching for a less-than-elite talent, especially with the group they’ve taken in the last 2 years, and the talent available and already committed to Miami in 2020, and beyond.
Tight End
Need: 2
Committed: 1
After signing the best TE class in America in 2018, the Canes are off to another fast start in 2019. Already committed is Tampa (FL) Jesuit 3-star Larry Hodges. Hodges is an H-Back type who lacks elite height — he’s only 6’1” — but is fast and athletic and explosive and can impact games in a number of ways.
Even with Hodges committed, however, Miami is not done recruiting at Tight End. Looking to add another player to this group, the Canes have several offers out, and are evaluating players at this position.
The first name to know on the offer/target list is Lakeland (FL) 4-star Keon Zipperer. Once considered a lock to go to Florida, Zipperer has visited Miami a couple of times, and the Canes are trying to make a move to get the 6’2” 240lb playmaker in their class. There is still lots of time left, and visits to make, but something has to shake with Zipperer. Soon.
Another player Miami has offered at TE is Dickinson (TX) 3-star Jalen Wydermyer. This is more your prototypical TE prospect, standing 6’5” 235lbs. Wydermyer has offers from all over the Southeast, with notable teams such as Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M being on his list.
Wydermyer will be taking his official visit to Miami this weekend — November 3rd. TE coach Todd Hartley has been recruiting Wydermyer for more than a year, and I’ve written about him in every installment of this piece, so this isn’t just a late addition to the board. This is a player Miami wants and would fully take in this class. As of now, all signs point to Wydermyer staying in Texas and picking A&M, but visits matter so we’ll where things stand after Wydermyer and his parents spend time in South Florida.
Many recruiting analysts believe that Miami will undoubtedly land either Zipperer or Wydermyer as the 2nd TE in this class. That would be the dream scenario, for sure, so reports to that end are music to my ears. It’s now up to Miami to turn those reports into reality.
Offensive Line
Need: 4
Committed: 2
Let’s start with the commits: Citra (FL) North Marion 4-star OT Michael Tarquin and Jacksonville (FL) Sandalwood 3-star OG Kingsley Eguakun recently transferred from Belleview (FL) and Jacksonville (FL) Atlantic Coast, respectively. Eguakun has been committed for several months and profiles as a guard or athletic center and recently took an Official Visit to Auburn. Miami followed that up with a coach visit for Atlantic Coast’s last game, and will continue to work to keep Eguakun in the fold. Tarquin committed later in the spring, but won’t play this HSFB season. He is having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, with the goal being ready to participate in spring practice at Miami as Tarquin is going to be an early enrollee. Both players have good size and skill, and especially in the case of Tarquin, address glaring roster issues for the Canes.
Leading the offer list is Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 5-star OT Evan Neal. A towering hulk of a man, Neal stands 6’8” 360lbs, down about 30lbs from his previously-listed (and 100% accurate) 391lbs. Neal can play guard or tackle, and has excelled at both in his time at IMG. A Central Florida native, Neal has visited Miami multiple times over the last year and a half. He’s far and away the #1 target at OT, and the Canes are battling Alabama and Florida State, for his services. But, depending on which reports you believe, Miami is out front (debatable how far) in Neal’s recruitment, but Alabama is never a team to be dismissed.
Another OL Target is Tampa (FL) Plant 4-star Will Putnam. A player who can play either Guard or Tackle, the 6’4” 280lb Putnam has good size and pedigree, and plays for one of the best HSFB programs in the State of Florida, one that has routinely produced top level P5 talent. Putnam
5-star OT Darnell Wright listed Miami in his top 10. The West Virginia native has stated an interest in Miami, and there’s been talk that he might take an official visit to Coral Gables this fall, but unless/until he does this is a nice note and nothing more.
3-star Jakai Moore and 3-star Darius Washington are players with offers who could become real options for Miami as this cycle progresses. At this point, it looks like Washington, a pure tackle prospect, is the player Miami is pursuing of these two. He took an official visit on October 6th for the Florida State game, but remains committed to Mississippi State. But, again, with a visit already done, Washington is the player Miami is pursuing harder at this time.
Formerly listed Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab 5-star OG Kardell Thomas canceled his planned official visit to Miami for the Florida State game. He’s off the radar unless/until something changes.
The same can be said for Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 4-star Dontae Lucas. Communication and/or a visit would be needed to put him back on the radar as a realistic option for Miami in this class.
Other players along the OL have offers, but either a visit or new reports of increased interest are needed before they are real options for a spot in this class.
Defensive Line
Need: 6
Committed: 5
Miami needs a bigger DL class this year due to a bunch of losses from the roster, and only replacing them with 3 DL in the 2018 recruiting class. But, there needs to be quality with those numbers, and there’s talent available to fill this need.
Already committed to Miami in the 2019 class are Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 3-star DE Cameron Williams, Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 3-star DT Jason Muñoz, Vero Beach (FL) 3-star DE Jahfari Harvey, Buford (GA) 3-star DT Jalar Holley, and Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep 3-star DT Jason Blissett.
Williams is a 6’5” 215lb edge rusher with burst and skill. There is chatter that Williams may be less than solid in his commitment, so that’s something to watch moving forward. Muñoz is an under-the-radar player with good size at 6’3” 276lbs. He missed the 2017 season with a broken leg, but performed well for Aquinas in the spring, earned an offer at a Mark Richt Football Camp, and committed pretty much on the spot. Harvey is a 6’3” 225lb edge rusher who used a strong spring at his new school — Vero Beach — to become the #1 prospect in Florida’s Treasure Coast area.
Holley is from the same school where DL coach Jess Simpson spent much of his legendary HSFB coaching career, and has the build and skill to be a solid interior lineman for Miami.
Blissett, the most recent commit at this position group and this class overall, came to Paradise Camp, earned an offer, and fell in love with Miami. The #2 ranked player in the State of New York, Blissett is a big and athletic DT in the RJ McIntosh mold. I know some might not share my opinion, but this is a good get and I’m fine with going to NYC to lock down a player of Blissett’s size, athletic ability, and skill set.
That’s a good group of 5 players and hits the number I’ve listed, but Miami still wants/needs to add more talent up front. Those Best Available slots on the class list up above? Those are likely to go to DL, OL, or DBs, depending on how things shake.
With more talent needed, let’s look at the targets.
Defensive Tackles
I will get right to the point: longtime lean Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star DE Braylen Ingraham spurned Miami and committed to Alabama. Ingraham had been telling Miami that he was coming for 3+ months according to reports, but a late visit to Tuscaloosa changed those plans. I spoke about this more when Ingraham’s commitment happened on his mother’s birthday:
Miami Hurricanes Recruiting: DT Braylen Ingraham commits to Alabama over Miami. #Canes’ DT recruiting struggles, and losses to Alabama on the trail, continue. #TheU https://t.co/HBy18mjoYr pic.twitter.com/95YBaxYocT
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) October 24, 2018
Apopka (FL) Wekiva 4-star DT Tyler Davis, Lehigh Acres (FL) Senior 4-star DE Quayshon Fuller, and Ft. Myers (FL) Dunbar 4-star DE Derrick Hunter are all players with offers who figure to end up at DT in college. However, Davis is widely thought to be a heavy Clemson lean, while Fuller and Hunter are FSU commits who at one time may have been ripe for a flip, but that moment seems to have passed.
So, the #1 target chose Alabama to be a big 3-4 DE, and 3 other options we’d previously discussed seemed destined elsewhere.
That’s not ideal.
But, there are other players, and still time to get them. First up, local players like Miami (FL) Northwestern 3-star DT Calijah Kancey and Miami (FL) Carol City 3-star DT Malcolm Ray could end up being options for Miami moving forward. Both are FBS level recruits, and getting either would increase Miami’s market-share in Dade County recruiting.
Kancey and Ray are the kind of players Andrew Ivins from 247sports was referencing when I asked him for his input in my feature The Recruiting Rules. Here’s what Ivins had to say about Rule 4: Size Matters
Never write off a defensive lineman. There are never enough of those to go around.
Every spring, schools think that defensive linemen aren’t good enough to only circle back on players they’d written off right before NSD.
There’s more (which you can read in the piece linked above), but you get the point. If they’re an FBS (preferably P5) level recruit, keep those local DL on the board because recruiting is weird and strange things happen.
Another option could be Many (LA) 3-star DT Myron Warren. Local recruiting analysts believe Warren will need to add size to play inside at the college level, but that’s been said about many players in the past, so that should not be a disqualifying factor, in my opinion.
If you’re looking for a higher rated player, Salt Lake City (UT) East 4-star DT Siaki Ika could be that guy. Miami has yet to offer the 6’3” 351lb Ika, but that could change. The noteworthy part of things here is that Ika was widely thought to be an Alabama lean. But, with the Tide taking Braylen Ingraham’s commitment recently, and having a total of 8 DL committed in this class alone, there may not be a place for Ika at Alabama anymore. And, if that’s the case, then Miami could look to make moves here. This is far from a certainty, but it’s possible, and coaches are said to be evaluating Ika at this time.
I’ve mentioned JUCO players in this space before, and that could be an option for Miami. Grad transfers could too, and Miami’s gone this wrote several times in recent years to bolster depth along the line.
So, basically, there are plenty of potential answers for Miami’s need of an additional DT in this class. We’ll have to see which way things go moving forward.
Defensive End
At the top of the target list at DE is Ft. Lauderdale (FL) Cardinal Gibbons 4-star Khris Bogle. An athletic 6’4” 207lbs, Bogle is one of the premium pass rushers in the 2019 recruiting class. He’s visited Miami multiple times over recent months, but Tennessee looked to have made a big move for him through the summer. But, recently, Bogle seems to be trending toward Miami more and more. Florida State and Clemson are also chasing after the star player. It’s hard to get a read on Bogle, because he’s been hot and cold for a number of schools, but make no mistake that Miami wants him in this class. Bogle is finally back in action after an early-season knee injury, and he continues to show why he’s so highly recruited.
Another target at DE is 4-star Lloyd Summerall, who transferred from Auburndale (FL) to Lakeland (FL) in the summer. A long and lean edge rusher at 6’6” 215lbs, Summerall is exactly what Miami wants at DE. The problem with him being a prototypical DE is that teams all over America want him on their roster, as well.
Summerall visited Miami for Paradise Camp, and that visit went well. Summerall’s interest has been piqued by the development of freshman DE Gregory Rousseau, who has a similar build and game to Summerall, but was less developed at this same stage of recruitment since Rousseau played mainly Safety, not DE, in high school. Miami is making moves, but Florida State, Alabama, Florida, and others are also still chasing the talented defender.
Yet another top target is Louisville (KY) Moore Traditional School 4-star J.J. Weaver. A South Florida native who moved away when he was in elementary school, Weaver has great size and length at 6’6” 230lbs. Not only that, but Weaver is reportedly one of DL Coach Jess Simpson’s favorite prospects at DE.
Miami got Weaver on campus for an official visit for the Florida State game in October, and the Canes continue to push hard for the talented defender. Upcoming trips to Kentucky and Louisville will be big. There’s still a ways to go for Weaver’s recruitment.
There are other players with offers, but Miami appears to be focused on the trio of players listed above.
With Williams and Harvey committed, Miami is in a good place to add one or more of the above-listed targets to the DE group in this class. And, in a perfect world, Miami would keep Williams and Harvey, add 2 of the Bogle/Summerall/Weaver trio, and call it a day at DE.
Linebacker
Need: 3
Committed: 3
After only taking 1 LB in 2018, and a less-than-inspiring group in 2017, the Canes need big numbers and talent in this class at LB. The good news is that Miami has 3 LBs already committed: Miami (FL) Northwestern 3-star Sam Brooks, and Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star Anthony Solomon and Solomon’s teammate 4-star Avery Huff. Those players are a diverse group, and the LB class Miami needs this cycle.
Unless something crazy happens — like a 5-star player or top 10 recruit at this position wanting in this class — Miami is done recruiting at linebacker.
Defensive Back
Need: 5
Committed: 5
After a slow start at DB, Miami has done a nice job to get the DB commit list in a good place. It’s not great yet, but the foundation is there, and now the job turns to closing the deal with the top-end players at this position group.
Miami got things started when Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 4-star S Keontra Smith committed in May. They kept things rolling with additional commitments from Altamonte Springs (FL) Lake Brantley 3-star ATH Damarius Good as a CB, Miami Gardens (FL) Carol City 3-star CB Jarvis Brownlee, and Smith’s teammate — Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 4-star CB Te’Cory Couch, who flipped from Michigan.
The good news on the DB front came recently when Miami (FL) Palmetto 3-star S Cornelius Nunn committed to Miami, completing a flip from Syracuse.
#WelcomeToTheU, Cornelius Nunn. Local DB @neilnunnjr5 completes the flip from Syracuse, commits to hometown #Canes. #TheU #Crootin’ https://t.co/X8dcZ8vH34
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) October 18, 2018
Smith is a hard hitting and rangy safety who makes plays all over the field. Good is a speedy athlete who mainly plays offense in HS, but will transition to defense in college. Brownlee had a standout spring, showing good ball and cover skills in helping his 7v7 team win the National Championship. And Couch is arguably the best pure cover corner in South Florida this cycle, although he lacks optimal size for the position. Nunn is a fast and physical player who has vastly outperformed his ranking, and is proving to be just the kind of player Miami wants on defense.
Nunn’s commitment took Miami to 5 commits in the secondary this class, but more talent can be had. You can count these other players at DB or Best Available. Either way, here are some players Miami is still recruiting at this position group.
Cornerback
Miami (FL) Southridge 4-star Tyrique Stevenson is a potential 5-star player in this class and an elite athlete. A summer transfer from Homestead (FL) South Dade, Stevenson would be at the top of Miami’s board no matter the school he attended. At 6’0” 190lbs, Stevenson has the height, build, and athleticism to be an impact player in the secondary from day 1. Obviously, a player of Stevenson’s caliber has his fair share of suitors — he claims 28 scholarship offers, including Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Florida State.
Miami now finds itself in a dogfight with Georgia for Stevenson. He has visited Athens at least twice, including for their Dawg Night camp in July instead of Paradise Camp at Miami.
But, Miami is not going down without a fight. Stevenson visited Coral Gables the day before Paradise Camp, and has visited Miami many times this fall, for both practices and games. While it once appeared that Georgia had a big lead, Miami is doing everything they can to show Stevenson he’s both wanted and needed in Coral Gables. This one is far from over.
West Palm Beach (FL) Palm Beach Central 5-star Akeem Dent is a top CB in the 2019 recruiting class. Once committed to Miami, Dent flipped to Florida State last July. Obviously, the #1 CB in America is a player that Miami — and many schools — want, and they’re trying to get him to flip from FSU. Dent and his mother visited Coral Gables for a summer Junior Day event, so there’s been connection to campus. Dent has also visited Hard Rock Stadium for a game in recent weeks. Even still, the Canes are fighting an uphill battle in this recruitment, with Florida State and Alabama leading the way.
Pensacola (FL) Pine Forest 3-star Martin Emerson Jr. is a player that Miami is recruiting still. A Mississippi State commit, Emerson Jr. is a big corner at 6’2” 185lbs. With smaller players committed at this position currently, Emerson Jr. could be a nice addition and bring needed height and length to the CB group in this class. But, with 5 DBs committed, and Stevenson (though I believe he’s a Safety, not a Corner) at the top of the board, it remains to be seen where Emerson Jr. would fit in this class.
Tampa (FL) Chamberlain 4-star John Dixon and North Palm Beach (FL) The Benjamin School 4-star Kaiir Elam are other players with offers at CB. However, communication and/or visits would have to increase for either to be a realistic option for Miami in this class.
Safety
Just reminding you that Miami (FL) Southridge 4-star Tyrique Stevenson could be in this class at Safety instead of Cornerback. If you’re viewing him as an S, he’s Miami’s top target at the position.
A player Miami is circling back on is Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star Jordan Battle. Battle is committed to Ohio State, but in the wake of the issues at that school, Miami (and many others) are checking in on the 4-star talent. Battle recently said that he plans on taking visits to schools — including Miami — this year, but he’s “still committed” to OSU. Also of note: any visit Battle would take to Miami would need to be an unofficial visit, as he took his official visit to Miami this Spring prior to his commitment to Ohio State. That isn’t a problem for the local player, however, as he’s been in attendance at Hard Rock Stadium for at least 3 games already this year.
St. Augustine (FL) Pedro Melendez 3-star Kenny Logan was another option at S, but with Nunn flipping from Syracuse and other players being higher on the board, this is probably the last time I’ll include him in this piece.
Similarly, Wellington (FL) 4-star ATH Mark-Anthony Richards is being recruited at RB exclusively now, so he’s off the DB list from here on out.
Special Teams
Need: 0
Committed: 0
After taking a punter (Zach Feagles) and a kicker (Bubba Baxa) in the last 2 years, Miami is not in the market for a scholarship specialist in this class.
Whew. Okay. I think we’re done. Lots going on, and plenty of significant changes happened in the last month. But now you’re caught up, so that’s good!
There’s always things to discuss with recruiting, so hop in the comments and let’s chat.