The sprint to the Early Signing Period, aka National Signing Day 1.0, is almost over. The visits have finished. The calls have been made. And now, we wait and see how the Miami Hurricanes will close on the first signing period of the 2019 recruiting class.

That’s right guys, it’s prediction time. Let’s get into it.

NSD Predictions

Here they are:

5-star OT Evan Neal, Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy. A top 5 player in this recruiting class, Neal is a massive game-ready LT at 6’8” 360lbs. Miami has been after the Okechobee, FL native for many years, as have many other P5 schools. But, when you have a lineman of this size, ability, and caliber, there’s a single school that you think of, and well, that’s where Neal is going.

Prediction: Alabama.

Verdict: Correct. Neal signed with Bama.

5-star WR Jadon Haselwood, Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove. The nation’s #1 WR is announcing his commitment at the All-American game on January 5th. He may, or may not, sign during the Early Signing Period, because he’s going to be a mid-year enrollee (so he doesn’t have to do anything other than show up at school and start classes). This could go any number of ways. But, I have a feeling....

Prediction: Miami

Verdict: Incomplete. Haselwood was always scheduled to announce on January 5th. But, the latest intel has him going to Oklahoma.

4-star DB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (FL) Southridge. Much the same as Haselwood, Stevenson is going to sign during the early signing period, but wait to announce his decision until the All-American game on January 5th. Stevenson has named Miami and Georgia his favorites, so there’s a 50/50 chance. I’m calling my shot.

Prediction: Miami.

Verdict: Incomplete. Stevenson was supposed to sign yesterday and announce on January 5th. He, instead, is pushing back signing until the last day of the Early Signing Period. This does not bode well for Miami, but nothing is finished.....yet.

4-star TE Keon Zipperer, Lakeland, FL. Miami has been after Zipperer for the longest time. He’s by far the #1 target at TE, and would be a perfect player to join Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory at this position on the Canes’ roster. But, I’m sorry to say, that’s not happening.

Prediction: Florida.

Verdict: Correct. Zipperer signed with UF.

4-star DE Lloyd Summerall, Lakeland, FL. A tall DE at 6’5”, Summerall has the size and skill to be an impact player off the edge in college. Summerall is Zipperer’s HS teammate and is widely thought to be a package deal with the talented pass catcher. So, you know where I’m going with this.

Prediction: Florida

Verdict: Correct. Summerall signed with UF.

4-star DE Justin Eboigbe, Forest Park, GA. I’ll keep this short and sweet: he ain’t comin’.

Prediction: sticking with Alabama

Verdict: Correct. Eboigbe signed with Bama.

4-star WR John Dunmore, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna. Dunmore is a talented player, he’s an All-American for goodness sakes, that Miami has circled back on recently. Whether that renewed connection was initiated by Dunmore or the Canes, the fact that there has been increased communication, including an Official Visit, is a positive. But, I can’t help feeling this is too little, too late.

Prediction: sticks with Penn State

Verdict: Correct. Dunmore signed with PSU.

4-star CB Kaiir Elam, North Palm Beach (FL) The Benjamin School. Elam is a talented local DB that would fit in Miami’s class greatly. He’s also the cousin of former UF standout S Matt Elam, and despite Miami putting their best foot forward, I think that familial connection wins out.

Prediction: Florida

Verdict: incomplete. Elam has not announced yet

4-star OL Dontae Lucas, Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy. Though he listed Miami in his final 3 heading into signing day, and even took a visit to Coral Gables at the beginning of the contact period, I’m not buying this smokescreen. Not for a second.

Prediction: Sticks with Florida State.

Verdict: Correct. Lucas signed with FSU

3-star DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, Middle Village (NY) Christ the King Regional. A late addition to the board, Harrison-Hunte is good friends with Miami commit DT Jason Blissett. He’s also, unfortunately, friends with recent Penn State commit Adisa Isaac, a Brooklyn native. And like Isaac, I think Miami got into the game too late here.

Prediction: Penn State

Verdict: Incomplete. Harrison-Hunte has not announced yet.

3-star OT Adam ElGammal, Middle Village (NY) Christ the King Regional. Harrison-Hunte’s HS teammate ElGammal is a Cincinnati commit. But, he’s rumored to have said that he would flip to Miami if the Canes pressed for him. And, what with Miami’s DESPERATE NEED for OTs, and the predicted loss of Neal to Alabama, I certainly hope that the Canes did push for ElGammal.

Prediction: Flip to Miami

Verdict: Correct. ElGammal decommitted from Cincinnati the night before the Early Signing Period, then flipped to Miami on Thursday morning.

3-star CB John Dixon, Tampa (FL) Chamberlain. A talented player who saw his recruiting profile drop due to an injury early on in his senior season, Dixon is a player that Miami has circled back on over the last month. But, with other guys ahead of him on the board, I think Dixon to Miami is a scenario that isn’t going to be a reality.

Prediction: South Carolina

Verdict: Correct. Dixon signed with South Carolina.

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12 predictions on the books for the Early Signing Period. 2 of them (Haselwood and Stevenson) we’ll have to wait and see the result until January.

UPDATE: 9 correct picks, 3 incompletes because they’ve yet to be announced. So, at a minimum I’m 75%, but I could go 12-12 if some things break the right ways.

We’ll see.

Agree with my picks? Disagree vehemently with every word I wrote? Get into the comments and let me know.

Go Canes