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 i this space last month), and here are the updated numbers for this class:

Those are the numbers. Now, let’s look at the recruiting landscape of each position group.

Quarterback

Need: 1

Committed: 0

If you’ve been reading my recruiting posts over the past few years, you know I have a closely held recruiting rule: you have to have a QB in every recruiting class. No excuses; no exceptions.

For the 2019 cycle, Miami seems singularly focused on Eugene (OR) Sheldon 4-star QB Michael Johnson Jr. at QB in this class. So much so, that I wrote about that fact earlier this cycle:

Johnson Jr., an Under Armour All-American, has taken several official visits ahead of a presumed summer commitment date. I say presumed because that hasn’t actually been locked down in any report, but every report hints at it. So, there’s too much smoke not to have any fire around, yanno?

Johnson Jr. has visited Penn State, Florida State, NC State, and Miami in the days leading up to the summer dead period, which began on Monday. While Miami has put an ENORMOUS amount of resources into recruiting Johnson Jr., the 6’4” 192lb signal caller has been highly complimentary of the coaching staffs of each school he’s visited.

Furthermore, 247sports National Recruiting Insider Steve Wiltfong switched his prediction on MJJ’s commimtment destination from Miami to Penn State just days ago. That’s not a death knell for Miami’s chances here, but it’s not what you want to see about your only QB target, either.

I could go on further, but Miami’s 2019 QB recruiting comes down to Michael Johnson Jr. If he commits to the Canes, as the staff has to hope happens based upon all the time and effort they’ve put into recruiting him, then they’ll have their QB in this class and things are done.

But, if Johnson Jr. elects to commit elsewhere, then Miami will need to go back to the drawing board to find a potential QB for this class.

And, if you’re thinking “hey, you mentioned Wisconsin commit Graham Mertz previously, Cam”, put that out of your mind. He shut down his recruitment a couple weeks ago, so he’s off the list.

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.

Even with a player of Crowley’s caliber committed, Miami is looking to bring in 2 RBs in this class, so there’s plenty of work yet to be done.

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. He’s got 21 offers from top teams, but Miami is thought to be way, way in front here. 247sports has reported that McIntosh will make a decision in June or July, and as of today, all signs point to that decision being to make the crib great and commit to Miami.

Another target on the board is Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 5-star Trey Sanders. A former Alabama commit, the 5’11” 215lb Sanders is a top 10 player in this recruiting class. Miami was the first team to contact him after he decommitted from the Tide, and have gotten Sanders to visit multiple times this spring. However, Florida and Florida State both have connections with Sanders as well, and all 3 teams are well ensconced in a tight recruiting battle at current. Georgia and Alabama are also teams hanging around.

Another player with an offer, Destrehan (LA) 4-star John Emery Jr., is an interesting prospect, but definitely on the periphery of the situation. A standout player whose speed and playmaking ability are among the best in the country, Emery Jr. was one of a handful of juniors to attend Nike’s The Opening last year. Emery Jr. used his electric athleticism to be one of the best players at that event, and continued to do so during the HSFB season. The 6’0” 194lb Emery Jr is a top-5 RB nationally in this class, with offers from all around the country. It will be a shock if Emery Jr. ends up anywhere other than LSU, although many recruiting analysts have predicted that Emery Jr. will commit to Mississippi State in recent weeks.

Others like Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 5-star Noah Cain, Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star Daniel Carter, and Carol City (FL) 4-star Nayquan Wright all have offers, but seem to be further down the list for various reasons. But, of them, Carter seems the most likely option to join this class should McIntosh elect to go elsewhere.

Wide Receiver

Need: 2

Committed: 1

As stated above, I’ve dropped the number of WR slots in this class from 3 to 2. Miami took 7 WRs in the last 2 years, and the 2020 class is packed with top talent, so due to those facts, Miami can be very selective in the 2019 class at this position.

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 has also offered Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 4-star John Dunmore. A talented local player, Dunmore was without a Canes offer until May 2nd. For a player of his caliber, that’s fairly late in the process. Now, the Canes are trying to turn up the heat on the 6’2” 177lb playmaker.

It should be noted that, due to the late nature of Miami’s offer, the Canes trail both Florida and Florida State in Dunmore’s recruitment. Miami does hold commitments from several of Dunmore’s teammates at Chaminade, and could lean on peer-level recruiting to make up ground here. Miami has a bunch of work to do to get seriously involved here.

A new name to know at WR is Nashville (TN) Franklin Road Academy 4-star Lance Wilhoit. The 6’3” 186lb Wilhoite was offered by Miami on June 1st, and is a player the staff is looking to potentially bring to campus for a visit. Whether that’s an unofficial visit after the dead period ends on July 25th, Paradise Camp on July 28th, and/or an official visit down the line remains to be seen.

Wilhoite has tweeted that he wants to commit at the end of July, and since he hasn’t visited Miami yet — and might not before that time — that has to put the Canes on the outside looking in. But, things can change, and a future visit could be on deck, but until then, Wilhoite is a name to know but not likely to pick Miami as of today.

Miami was able to get Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove 5-star Jadon Haselwood on campus for an unofficial visit in May. The nation’s #1 WR is committed to Georgia, so temper your expectations/don’t go over board.

If Haselwood returns to Coral Gables for Paradise Camp and/or an official visit further down the line, then things might be heating up. But at this point, this is a nice story, and shows Miami can get a surface level connection with elite players, but nothing more.

Like Wilhoite, Miami also offered Lake City (FL) Columbia 3-star T.J. Jones recently. The 6’1” 185lb speedster has some talent, but is squarely behind the players previously listed, and maybe others, on Miami’s board at current.

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 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. Hodges has shown well on the spring 7v7 circuit, and figures to get a ratings bump in the future.

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, but this isn’t a firm “no” as many perceived it to be at one time.

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. As of now, all signs point to Wydermyer staying in Texas and picking A&M.

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.

If not Zipperer or Wydermyer, Miami could look elsewhere — Concord (CA) De La Salle 4-star Isaiah Foskey already holds an offer, for example — to get TE2 for this class. This will be a key moving forward, as depth and talent are still needed for Miami at TE

Offensive Line

Need: 4

Committed: 2

Let’s start with the commits: Belleview (FL) 4-star OT Michael Tarquin and Jacksonville (FL) Atlantic Coast 3-star OG Kingsley Eguakun. Eguakun has been committed for several months, while Tarquin just recently committed a couple weeks ago. Both players have good size and skill, and especially in the case of Tarquin, address glaring roster issues for the Canes.

Former commit — West Palm Beach (FL) Palm Beach Central’s Renato Brown — was listed as an OT but was recruited as a DT. Brown decommitted shortly after the release of the last installment of this series, so that’s a moot point anyway.

Leading the offer list is Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 5-star OT Evan Neal. A towering hulk of a man, Neal stands 6’8” and is 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 the likes of Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Oklahoma for his services. But, depending on which reports you believe, Miami is out front (debatable how far) in Neal’s recruitment.

An interesting recent development was the pop-up unofficial visit to Coral Gables taken by Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab 5-star OG Kardell Thomas. The 6’3” 356lb LSU commit has long stated that he’s interested in Miami on some level, and we finally saw proof of that with his recent visit to campus.

Furthermore, Thomas has stated in post-visit interviews that he is scheduled to return to South Florida for an official visit to Miami in October...for the Florida State game. Obviously, a Louisiana native being committed to LSU is something that will be tough to overcome. BUT, if there’s any chance of that happening, Miami will need to knock Thomas’s official visit weekend out of the park.

Speaking of players committed elsewhere who have recently visited Miami, Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 4-star Dontae Lucas fits that bill. The FSU commit visited Coral Gables multiple times in 3 weeks before the dead period, including a secret visit during which he worked out for Canes OL coach Stacy Searels.

The former Miami Senior High lineman is still committed to FSU, and has a close familial relationship with former Miami HSFB coach Telly Lockette. That fact — Lockette coached Lucas’ older brother previously — means that while he’s unlikely to flip from FSU, Lucas’s multiple visits to Coral Gables are at a minimum worth noting. Future contact and visits would be needed to flip this talented lineman from that school up North.

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.

In the search for OL in this class, several new names have been offered by Miami recently. A quick list:

• Camden (AR) Fairview 4-star Stacy Wilkins
• Cumming (GA) North Forsyth 3-star Jeremy James
• Nokesville (VA) Patriot 3-star Jakai Moore put Miami in his top 7

Obviously, Miami needs to add depth and talent to the OL group in this class, but there are plenty of available options. And, I’m not sure Stacy Searels is done offering players, so be on the lookout for more new names down the line if the Canes’ pursuit of the top targets listed her doesn’t go as planned.

Defensive Line

Need: 5

Committed: 4

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, Doral (FL) Academy 3-star DT Denzel Daxon, Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 3-star DT Jason Muñoz, and Vero Beach (FL) 3-star DE Jahfari Harvey.

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. Daxon is a stocky DT with a good motor and good size at 6’1” 315lbs. 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.

That’s a good group of 4 players, but Miami still wants/needs to add more talent up front.

With more talent needed, let’s look at the targets.

Defensive Tackles

A top target is Apopka (FL) Wekiva 4-star DT Tyler Davis. Another top prospect, Davis holds nearly 30 offers, and figures to get a ratings bump after a dominant spring camp and combine circuit. He’s a bit shorter than you’d like at just 6’0”, but he’s 293lbs and wears it well. Davis is a penetrating DT who disrupts plays on a routine basis. Miami is still trailing Ohio State and Florida in this recruitment at current.

Another option who will grow into a DT is Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star DE Braylen Ingraham. Formerly at Ft. Lauderdale (FL) Dillard HS — the same school that produced current DT Jon Ford — Ingraham is a big player at 6’4” 270lbs. With a very lithe frame, Ingraham could add weight, move inside, and be the next iteration of an RJ McIntosh-type DT for Miami. While Ingraham holds 25 offers, Miami is thought to be the far and away favorite to sign this talented defender.

Miami is also pursuing a couple of FSU commits who figure to end up at DT in college. Lehigh Acres (FL) Senior 4-star DE Quayshon Fuller and Delray Beach (FL) American Heritage — the sister school of the Nesta Silvera, Pat Surtain Jr, Tyson Campbell American Heritage — 4-star DE Mike Morris are both prospects who will grow into DTs at the next level and have Canes offers. Both have visited Miami in recent weeks, and the Canes seem to really be making headway with Fuller, but nothing is finalized yet.

Another future DT is Ft. Myers (FL) Dunbar 4-star DE Derrick Hunter. A one-time Miami commit, Hunter has been all over the place in his recruitment recently. Hunter recently committed to Florida State, though he repeatedly tweeted then deleted his commitment statement. Which, yanno, fits the path of his recruitment to this point.

Hunter is earning a reputation as a bit of a head-case with recruiting fans, due to his antics on social media. While that is a fan perspective, it could impact his recruitment down the lien, as has happened with other players. It’s rare you find 6’4” 280lb 6’6” 285lbs (according to his measurements when he visited Florida State) defenders with the athleticism Hunter showcases and potential he could realize, and those are the things that have Miami, and many others, still connected to Hunter’s recruitment, despite the social media antics that have made many fans, and ostensibly a few schools, wary of this talented player.

Former commit, West Palm Beach (FL) Palm Beach Central 3-star lineman Renato Brown, decommitted shortly after I published the last installment of this series, and is unlikely to be in this class.

There hasn’t been any chatter connecting Miami with Largo (FL) 4-star DT Jaquaze Sorrels recently, so it seems as though the focus is on Ingraham, Davis, and Fuller at DT. I know I said this last month, but this is most likely the last time I include Sorrels’ name here, unless something drastic changes as we move 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, and Florida State and Clemson are also chasing after the star player. As stated above, Bogle and DT target Jaquaze Sorrells have said on social meida in the past that they want to play together in college. With Oregon making such a concerted move with Sorrells, however, I think that may be a notion of the past.

Another target at DE is Auburndale (FL) Senior 4-star Lloyd Summerall. 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 has visited Miami, and that visit went well. Even still, Florida State are said to be the leaders, with Alabama, Clemson, Florida, and Georgia joining Miami in hot pursuit.

Yet another top target, one who I meant to include in previous versions of this piece but did not because sometimes I forget things, 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, and that could lead Miami to push hard for his commitment.

Like Kardell Thomas before, Weaver is set to take an official visit to Coral Gables for the Florida State game the first week of October. It will be interesting to follow Miami’s recruitment of Weaver between now and then, but he’s a top player on Miami’s board, to be sure.

Another player to know is Lawrenceville (GA) Archer 3-star Colby Wooden. A well built player at 6’4” 230lbs Wooden has good burst and bend from the DE position. He’s shown well all spring based on the reports I read, and he could end up being a solid target in the future, what with DL coach Jess Simpson’s strong ties to the Atlanta-area. But, it is clear that Wooden is behind the trio of Bogle, Summerall, and Weaver on the DL board at this time.

Miami offered #1 and #2 JUCO prospects 4-star Chester Graves and 4-star Jermaine Johnson back in May. Graves, the #1 JUCO player in this class, is 6’4” 220lbs and plays at Iowa Western CC. Johnson, the #4 JUCO player and #2 DE in this class, stands 6’6” 240lbs and plays at Independence (KS) CC — which is the team you’ll be watching when Last Chance U comes out on Netflix this July, btw. Both players have size and talent, and could help bridge the gap between the older DEs on the roster and the youngsters Miami looks to bring in with the 2019 recruiting class. Both Graves and Johnson have many suitors, but are names to know due to their combination of size and athletic ability.

With Williams and Harvey committed, Miami is in a good place to add one of the above-listed targets to the DE group in this class. And, that could be multiple additions if a current commit were to flip elsewhere, which is always a possibility when talking about recruiting.

Linebacker

Need: 4 (maybe?)

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 4-star Avery Huff. Those players are a diverse group, and a great foundation for the kind of LB class Miami needs this cycle.

Previously committed Mount Dora (FL) Christian Home and Bible School 3-star Jesiah Pierre decommitted 3 days after the last installment of this piece was published. Not only is his recruitment trending toward Florida, but he dropped because Miami had greatly reduced, if not entirely ceased their communication with him. In short: he gone and Miami is fine with that.

The thing to watch here, before I go into potential targets, is whether Miami looks to take 4 LBs in this class or if they’re content with the Brooks-Huff-Solomon triumvirate. I put this footnote in the class list sidebar further up this piece, but I’m close to removing the 4th LB spot and changing that to Best Available. That might suit the needs of the team better, and we could see that take place as this cycle continues.

Miami has offered Deerfield Beach (FL) 4-star Ge’mon Eaford, and Apopka (FL) Wekiva 4-star Rian Davis (who could end up at DE). Both are options for the 4th LB spot in this class, but each has plenty of offers and options to choose from. Of these 2, Eaford is probably the most-wanted due to his size and the HS where he plays (where Miami hasn’t REALLY recruited all that well in recent years). But, Miami would probably take Eaford or Davis as the 4th LB in this class, if they’re looking to take 4 LBs (instead of the currently-committed 3 LBs).

Previously listed Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star Jahmar Brown and Miami (FL) Norland 3-star Darius Williams are off the board after committing to South Carolina and South Florida, respectively. Neither player was a take for Miami at the time of their commitments, so that’s why they’ve landed elsewhere.

Defensive Back

Need: 5

Committed: 4

After a slow start at DB, Miami has been busy at work recently, getting 3 new commitments at this position group over the last month (eh, 6 weeks since I published the last installment of this piece).

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.

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.

Even with those 4 players committed at DB, the Canes are looking to add more talent in the defensive backfield.

Like who? Like these guys.

Cornerback

Miami (FL) Southridge 4-star Tyrique Stevenson is a potential 5-star player in this class and an elite athlete. A recent 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. Even still, Miami is thought to be far and away at the top of Stevenson’s recruitment, and hold all predictions for his commitment as of the writing of this piece.

Also, there is debate as to whether Miami wants Stevenson at CB or S. But, for my money, just get him on the roster and let the rest work itself out later.

Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star Jaden Davis is another player on the radar for Miami. At 5’9” 170lbs, Davis is built similarly to current Canes CB Trajan Bandy. a player with great cover skills, Davis is being highly recruited by teams all over the country. Currently holding 44 scholarship offers, Davis has his pick of schools. Miami has been recruiting Davis, and Davis has visited campus a couple times, but it’s unclear as of now whether Miami would take Davis in this class due to his lack of height. Even without that being the case, Florida has been viewed as leading Davis’ recruitment.

West Palm Beach (FL) Palm Beach Central 5-star Akeem Dent is the #1 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 recent Junior Day event, so there’s been connection to campus. Even still, the Canes are fighting an uphill battle in this recruitment.

Miami has also offered Arizona Western College (JUCO) 4-star Elijah Blades. Originally from Pasadena (CA) John Muir, Blades was committed to Florida, flipped to Nebraska, but didn’t qualify in the class of 2017. Blades just finished his first year at AWC, and is the #1 JUCO CB in this class. Teams like Alabama and Texas have recently entered the fray — same as Miami — with offers, and more teams are sure to do the same. Blades’ recruitment is just getting started, but he’s a name to know for this year.

Tampa (FL) Chamberlain 4-star John Dixon is another option at CB for Miami. At 6’0” 170lb, Dixon has good height and length for the position. He fits the physical profile that Miami wants, and that’s a good thing. With 18 offers at current, Dixon has plenty of options. Florida is widely seen as the unquestioned leader in his recruitment, and with Miami having already taken commitments from Brownlee, Couch, and Good at CB, there may not be a spot in this class for Dixon at this time.

North Palm Beach (FL) The Benjamin School 4-star Kaiir Elam — a cousin of former Florida star Matt Elam — is player who I previously took off the board, but could become an option down the line depending on how things fall. With his family ties, it stands to reason that Florida is the leader for Elam, but we’ll see what happens, I guess.

Wexford (PA) North Allegheny 3-star Joey Porter Jr. has an offer from Miami and is being evaluated. Son of the former Pittsburgh Steelers LB of the same name, Porter Jr. has good size at 6’2” 185lbs and good athleticism too. He might not be at the top of the list, but Porter Jr. is a player who Miami has contacted and is evaluating so that’s why he’s on the list.

Miami (FL) Palmetto 3-star Cornelius Nunn holds an offer, but has been a plan B option throughout the duration of this cycle. Nunn recently committed to Syracuse, due largely to the fact that the higher profile programs that had offered him weren’t pursuing him heavily...yet. But, depending on how things, mainly at Safety, fall for Miami in this class, Nunn could become an option to join this class in the future.

Previously listed Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco 5-star Chris Steele canceled his previously scheduled official visit to Miami, and is off the board as he turns his attention elsewhere. Steele was always a longshot if he didn’t visit....and he didn’t visit. Seeya, pal.

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.

Wellington (FL) 4-star ATH Mark-Anthony Richards is a name all Canes fans should know. The younger brother of star WR Ahmmon Richards, Mark-Anthony is a multi-talented athlete would could find a home on offense at WR or on defense in the secondary (or even Linebacker or the hybrid STRIKER position). Obviously, with his brother being a star player here, Miami is in good position for the younger Richards. Teams such as Auburn have tried to appeal to Richards’ desire to play offense by recruiting him on that side of the ball. Miami recently outlined a plan to have Richards play both ways in a similar fashion to how Michigan used Jabrill Peppers a couple years ago.

I get that other teams are trying to use a variety of tactics, including recruiting him on offense, to get Richards on their team, but as of now, it would be a shock if he ended up anywhere other than Miami.

Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas 4-star Jordan Battle is a very nice prospect at Safety. He’s 6’1” 187lbs, and plays to that size. Eyeing a summer commitment, Miami brought in Battle for an official visit prior to the summer Dead Period. The next week (last week) he took an official visit to his named leaders — Ohio State. That visit ended without Battle committing to Urban Meyer’s team, which can only be viewed as a positive for Miami. The Canes are still pushing to overcome the trail position that they’ve held for a while, and that will continue into the summer months.

Lakeland (FL) Kathleen 4-star Brendan Gant is another player Miami is interested in. He decommitted from Alabama in April, so he’s a free agent currently. Gant has visited Coral Gables, so this isn’t just a shot in the dark. Even still, there’s plenty of work to be done, and plenty of teams who are chasing after the 6’2” 187lb standout defender — namely Florida State. Nobody said recruiting was easy.

Ft. Lauderdale (FL) University School 4-star Josh Sanguinetti was once the leading target at Safety, but has slipped down the list recently. Whether that’s due to his slow process, or low athletic testing numbers, or just a change or heart is up for debate. A tall and lean 6’2” 165lbs, Sanguinetti had been focused on Miami and Stanford throughout the majority of this cycle. New teams, schools like Michigan, Nebraska, LSU and Ole Miss, are now entering the picture. With several players now ahead of him on the board, it seems like Sanguinetti may have missed his chance to be in this class for Miami.

St. Augustine (FL) Pedro Melendez 3-star Kenny Logan is another option at S. He’s 6’1” 183lbs, so he fits the mold of what Miami looks for physically at this position. There was a rumor that Logan tried to commit earlier this spring, but Miami wasn’t ready to accept that commitment.

Translation in my eyes? “We like you, but don’t love you, and maybe down the line you’ll be a take, but there are other players we have above you on the board right now.” With Logan hinting at a forthcoming commitment to his chosen school, he may have gotten the same picture.

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.

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And that’s that. Another installment of the Class Breakdown is complete.

Love it? Hate it? Have a favorite player and you just wanna talk about it? Hop in the comments and let’s chat.

Go Canes