Yesterday, we looked at the Numbers and Needs for the Miami Hurricanes to close out the 2019.

Today, we’re going to look at the Names to fill those Numbers and Needs.

Alliteration is cool, you guys!!

Let’s begin.

Quarterback

Need: 1

OC Thomas Brown said Miami is going to get a QB in this class. My reaction to that statement was as follows:

The 2019 QB class is the worst in a decade or more, and the top players in a bad class have already signed for the most part.

There is 4-star (he’d be a 3-star in other years, but I digress) John Rhys Plumlee who hails from MS, is committed to Georgia, but balked at the Bulldogs’ last minute flip of 4-star Dwan Mathis from Ohio State, and program change to try and have him blue shirt (pay his own way for a semester then be put on scholarship in January 2020), and did not sign. Miami could make a run at him.

Apart from Plumlee, who i s talented but wouldn’t normally be a fit, I don’t think there’s any other player available, absent a transfer, who is Miami caliber.

So, that leaves transfers.

Cameron Rising and Casey Thompson, both at Texas who were previously recruited by Miami, have input their names into the NCAA’s transfer portal, and I would check in on them. All-world talent Justin Fields has made his intention to transfer from Georgia known — that’s why UGA flipped Mathis at the 11th hour before signing — and yes, I’d contact him as well, even if as a formality to make him turn me down.

There will probably be others to transfer, and I’d pretty much contact all of them. Miami needs another QB on this roster, so I’m leaving my pride to the side and inquiring with every single option available in the hopes of finding someone with talent to join the QB room.

Running Back

Need: 0-1

Miami has changed their stance from taking 2 RBs this cycle to potentially taking none from the prep ranks. This is a big change from the majority of this cycle (even dating back to this time last year), but things change sometimes.

Miami does already have Auburn transfer Asa Martin coming in, but he’ll likely have to sit out the 2019 season. So, they’re adding talent, just not the number of players or age they once thought.

The top target here is Wellington (FL) 4-star ATH Mark-Antony Richards. Yes, Ahmmon’s younger brother. He wants to play offense, and though I believe him to be a better defensive prospect, Miami switched to recruit him as an RB early on in this cycle. If he doesn’t come, that’ll be a big loss for Miami, but not an unrecoverable one.

Rome (GA) 4-star Jamious Griffin is one of the most talented and productive players at this position in the country. The Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia, Griffin is committed to NC State but did not sign during the Early Signing Period. If Miami can get Griffin on campus for a visit, that would be swell.

Katy (TX) 4-star Deondrick Glass is an option with an offer as well, but after missing out on their top targets, Texas figures to push VERY HARD for Glass. Copy and paste that same visit thing I just said about Griffin visiting here for Glass.

The goal/dream here is to get Richards and call it a day. But, Griffin and Glass are good options too, should Miami have to go that way.

Wide Receiver

Need: 1-2

Whew. Okay. Things have changed here. What was once looked at as a 1 player group only, Miami needs 1-2 MORE to add to 4-star Jeremiah Payton to meet the needs of the roster.

Cedar Grove (GA) 5-star Jadon Haselwood leads the list, but all signs point to him signing with Oklahoma. Haselwood has long intended to sign silently during the Early Signing Period, then announce his collegiate destination at the All-American Bowl on January 5th. While Miami once looked like that destination, that is no longer the case.

Hoover (AL) 4-star George Pickens, an Auburn commit, recently received a scholarship offer, and Miami will look to play catch up with the All-American talent.

Lake City (FL) Columbia 3-star TJ Jones was once an option, and has talent, but seems to have fallen down or off Miami’s board at present.

There could be players committed elsewhere who haven’t signed who could become options, as well.

Tight End

Need: 1

Miami got Tampa (FL) Jesuit 3-star Larry Hodges, but whiffed on #1 target Lakeland (FL) 4-star Zeon Zipperer, who signed with Florida. So, there is still a need for another TE in this class.

Miami recently offered Clearwater (FL) Central Catholic 3-star Brett Seither, and he looks to be the guy if they want a TE2 in this class. He’s got good size at 6’5” 228lbs, and could add weight while maintaining athleticism a la Will Mallory in the 2018 class (though Siether is already 20lbs bigger than Mallory was as a recruit, but Mallory was more athletic).

Offensive Line

Need: 1+

I know I said Miami needed 3 OL in this class, and they signed 3 OL, but there’s just a need for more depth and talent on the roster. This is especially the case after missing out on Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 5-star Evan Neal (he signed with Bama, surprise surprise) and seeing Citra (FL) North Marion 4-star Michael Tarquin and Jacksonville (FL) Sandalwood 3-star Kingsley Eguakun BOTH flip from Miami to Florida.

Bad news, Canes fans: I don’t have a name for you here. All the top targets Miami had previously offered have signed elsewhere. So, a late riser could join this class, or the Canes could stand pat with the 3 guys they already have signed.

Defensive End

Need: 2

Miami got a GOOOOOOOOOOD ONE in Vero Beach (FL) 4-star Jahfari Harvey. But, additional talent is needed at DE.

Also, what’s up with Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 3-star Cameron Williams? It was reported that Williams signed during the Early Signing Period, but no official announcement was made by Miami Athletics. If he has or does sign, then he’s one of the additions to the DE group.

Ft. Lauderdale (FL) Cardinal Gibbons 4-star Khris Bogle sits atop Miami’s board right now. The Canes have been after the 6’4” 210lb Bogle for a long time, and want him BADLY. Getting him, however, won’t be easy as Alabama and Tennessee are also around and pushing.

Outside of the maybe-signed Williams and top-of-the-board Bogle, I don’t have any other names. So, it would behoove Miami to get those guys.

Defensive Tackle

Need: 0

Miami needed 3 DTs and signed 3 during the Early Signing Period. So, anyone added at this position would be gravy.

Christ The King (NY) 3-star Jared Harrison-Hunte is a player with an offer who has visited and has a close friend — 4-star Jason Blissett — and teammate — 3-star OT Adam ElGammal — already committed to Miami in this class. Penn State probably leads for Harrison-Hunte, but Miami is making a big push into NYC this cycle, so maybe they’ll be able to add another player from the Empire State to the roster.

Linebacker

Need: 1

This need arose when Ft. Laudedale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star Anthony Solomon flipped to Michigan— as had long been rumored — just before the Early Signing Period.

The names to know: 3-star Eugene Asante (Chantilly, VA) and 3-star Octavius Brothers (Rockledge, FL). Of the two, Brothers seems the more likely candidate to join this class.

Cornerback

Need: 2

Big, big area of need for the Canes here.

Miami (FL) Southridge 4-star Tyrique Stevenson is the top target. He’s between Miami and Georgia, and will announce his destination — he’s already signed — on January 5th at the All-American Bowl.

North Palm Beach (FL) The Benjamin School 4-star Kaiir Elam is another player with an offer and connection to Miami. It would be tough to pull the Florida legacy away from the Gators, but it’s worth trying.

Pensacola (FL) Pine Forest 3-star Martin Emerson Jr. is still on the board, as well. The Mississippi State commit did not sign during the Early Signing Period, and could be prime for a flip. We’ll see.

Safety

Need: 1

Unless it’s a late riser or flip from a player who didn’t sign during the Early Signing Period, there aren’t any available options for this spot who have an offer from Miami.

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With Miami wanting 4 more Offensive Signees (including a QB) and 7-8 more Defensive Signees (3 DL, 1 LB, 3+ DB), there are plenty of places where the Canes need to add talent to the 2019 recruiting class.

But, as you can see above, Miami either has to go 100% on the already-offered targets or start expanding the board. Otherwise, they run the risk of not hitting their numbers in this class, and leaving the roster thin at spots and unbalanced overall, neither of which is a good result, if you ask me.

Go Canes