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Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. We’re here to celebrate things we’re thankful for and I’m thankful for Miami Hurricanes athletics, even in down times. Sure, I wrote a piece that got vilified about Blake James’ ability to do his job and with the Mark Richt tenure now entering complete meltdown phase here’s to hoping Gino DiMare and Jim Larranaga have better luck in 2018-2019.
Jeff Thomas Dismissed
Why am I so down on Miami athletics today? “BREAKING: Miami Hurricanes star WR Jeff Thomas Dismissed from Program” is one reason. Thomas, from East St. Louis High School, has averaged 18 yards per reception and has hauled in five touchdown passes in just under two years as a Hurricane. Thomas had a huge punt return for a touchdown against Virginia Tech to break the game open just a week ago.
— Jeff Thomas (@theregoes4) November 22, 2018
Just about every outlet has this covered from ESPN to CBS to Yahoo (they still write about sports?!). Mark Richt’s comments don’t sound very positive for the future of Jeff Thomas else where, but there’s always some Netflix JUCO where he can head off to.
Big #Miami news: Sophomore WR Jeff Thomas is no longer a member of the football program. “We have high standards for excellence, for conduct and for the commitment to team for all of the young men who wear our uniform, and we will not waver from those standards,” says Mark Richt
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 21, 2018
Vernon Carey, Jr.
Miami Hurricanes legacy Vernon Carey, Jr decided to take his talents outside of Coral Gables. The son of former Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins football player Vernon Carey, Sr did not pick the ‘Canes in his top 3. Carey is rated the second overall player in the 2019 recruiting class.
It's official: #Canes do not make the cut to 5-star Vernon Carey Jr's top 3. https://t.co/lh4mbir02m
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) November 22, 2018
Richt and the Board
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote, “Prominent UM trustee speaks out against Richt’s approach.” Barry Jackson divulges insider secrets from the UM Board about their disappointment in Richt as a play caller and the need for Blake James to force Richt’s hand to hire an offensive coordinator.
NEW: I talked to a couple prominent UM Board of Trustee members about state of football program. And yes, there is unhappiness. One of them vents here and explains Shalala/Frenk difference, other things: https://t.co/Mab1n3O76j
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) November 21, 2018
2017 Football Recruiting Class
The Miami Hurricanes 2017 recruiting class was ranked 12th overall per 247 Sports. Two of the top three players in the class have left the program in Jeff Thomas and D.J. Johnson and the second overall is Navaughn Donaldson, who has been a disappointment in 2018 after a solid 2017 season.
The Herald’s David Wilson published, “Miami is in another recruiting battle with Alabama, but Canes get last move for this DE.” The ‘Canes are trying to hold on to their 2019 recruiting class that has already seen players like Marcus Crowley flip to Ohio State, and is still without a quarterback.