The sprint to National Signing Day is almost over. The visits have finished. The calls have been made. And now, we wait and see how the Miami Hurricanes will close Mark Richt’s second full-cycle recruiting class.

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

NSD Predictions

Here they are:

4-star DT Nesta Silvera, Plantation (FL) American Heritage. Silvera has been committed to Miami for just about a year. He’s one of the best players nationally at a position of dire need for the Hurricanes, and would be a great addition to any recruiting class. He’s taken visits elsewhere and will have a UF hat on the table for his announcement ceremony. But that’s window dressing.

Prediction: Miami

Verdict: Correct. Silvera signed with Miami on NSD.

4-star ATH Marquez Ezzard, Stockbridge (GA). A big and physical receiver, Ezzard has done a circle with Miami. He was on the board early, fell off, committed to FSU, decommitted, and popped back up as the top target for the WR4 spot for Miami in this class. At 6’2” 215lbs, Ezzard is bigger and stronger than most players at his position. He doesn’t create the most separation in the world, but wins with physicality and technique at the point of the catch. Think of a similar style of play as, but less polished than, Anquan Boldin.

Ezzard’s finalists are Miami and Ole Miss, but all indications have Miami feeling pretty confident. I’m with it.

Prediction: Miami

Verdict: Correct. Ezzard signed with Miami on NSD.

4-star DE Andrew Chatfield, Plantation (FL) American Heritage. After finally getting a Miami scholarship offer, one that he had openly been desiring for quite a while, things seemed as though Chatfield was heading to Coral Gables. That momentum has waned in recent weeks, and well, that’s recruiting.

Prediction: Florida

Verdict: Correct. Chatfield signed with Florida on NSD.

3-star DT Jamarcus Chatman, Rome (GA). Chatman is a talented player who would be a great addition to Miami’s class. He’s 6’2” 258lbs, so he needs to add weight. The good news is that Chatman has the frame to be a 285lb player with future physical development.

As for his recruitment, Chatman has been all over the place. He’s working on his 3rd commitment, having previously given pledges to both LSU and Tennessee, but the last one is the one that will stick. Chatman is an impressionable kid, with every team he visits vaulting to the top of his list. Since Miami got the last visit, the Canes have to feel good, or at least as good as a team can when recruiting an out of State player who has already flipped commitments twice.

Prediction: Miami

Verdict: Wrong. Chatman signed with FSU on NSD.

4-star DT Keondre Coburn, Houston (TX) Westfield. A 6’1” 330lb beast at Nose tackle, Coburn has been committed to Texas since August 7, 2017. He was an Under Armour All-American, and is one of the best players at his position in this class. Coburn had early interest in Miami as a HS junior, and despite his pledge to the Longhorns, the Canes have been in hot pursuit. Miami got Coburn’s last official visit, got the last in--home coaches visit, and visits matter in recruiting.

Coburn was supposed to visit Oregon last weekend but canceled. When he canceled, it was reported that he was going to go to Austin for an unofficial with Texas. Coburn did not make that visit by multiple reports. Coburn also took “Texas commit” out of his twitter bio in the last couple days. Could be coincidence. Could be substance. Maybe I’m reading into this too hard, but I just have a feeling.....

Prediction: Miami

Verdict: Wrong. Coburn stuck with Texas.

3-star DT Moro Ojomo, Katy (TX). An intriguing prospect who has seen his recruiting profile skyrocket in recent weeks, the 16 year old (not a typo) Ojomo is one of the hottest prospects in America. At 6’3” 280lbs, he is already well developed, and will develop further as he continues through puberty (no, I don’t usually write that sentence). A native Nigerian, Ojomo is looking at many schools, with academics being a major factor for him. Worth the shot in recruiting, and kudos to Miami for getting Ojomo on campus for a mid-week official visit, but no dice.

Prediction: Texas

Verdict: Correct. Ojomo picked Texas the night before NSD.

5-star CB Tyson Campbell, Plantation (FL) American Heritage. And now, the main event. Miami has been heavily pursuing the 6’2.5” 180lb Campbell for more than 2 years. He was immediately one of the top targets for the Canes in this recruiting class when Mark Richt got hired and brought former American Heritage coach Mike Rumph on staff at Miami to coach CBs.

Miami was at the front of Campbell’s recruitment for a while. But, things started to change midway through the season, and have continued to slide away from Miami throughout the live recruiting period after the new year. Man, it would be nice to get Campbell in this class, but that seems to be a dream that won’t come true.

Prediction: Georgia

Verdict: Correct. Campbell signed with Georgia on NSD.

5-star CB Patrick Surtain Jr., Plantation (FL) American Heritage. The 4th and final American Heritage player on this list, Surtain is arguably the best. He, along with fellow 5-star Campbell, is a day 1 contributor, potentially starter, at nearly every school in America. Not coincidentally, nearly every school in America offered Surtain Jr. a scholarship.

LSU has long been the favorites for Surtain Jr. both by reports and the player’s own words. He could very well end up there, or Alabama, or Clemson, but he could very well end up at Miami, too. Will Miami’s last-weekend visit with Surtain Jr. end up with the same result as the last-weekend visit with 5-star CB Tracy Howard in 2012? Maybe.

Prediction: Miami

Verdict: Wrong. Surtain Jr. shocked everybody by picking Alabama over longtime favorites LSU and hometown Miami on NSD.

---

Not the best prediction year for me. 5 right (Silvera, Ezzard, Campbell, Ojomo, Chatfield) and 3 wrong (Coburn, Chatman, Surtain Jr.), but not terrible. That’s it for now. Discuss in the comments.

Go Canes