Welcome back, recruiting fans! It’s been a while, I know, but the recruiting contact period is open, and the Canes are working to add players to the 2019 recruiting class.

This is the 2nd Official Visit weekend of the contact period, and there are only 2 weekends after this until National Signing Day on February 6th. So, if moves are going to be made, now is the time to make them.

So, let’s look at what the visit landscape is for Miami, shall we?

Miami Hurricanes Official Visits

4-star CB Christian Williams. This Daphne (AL) native is committed to Alabama, but coming to Coral Gables for a visit. Now, before you go all crazy, Alabama has 27 kids committed currently, and there’s no way the Tide can sign all of them. For his part, Williams was an Under Armour All-American, and has great height/length for a cornerback at 6’1” with long arms.

And, in case you missed it, Miami’s defense has been DAMN GOOD recently, which is a draw. And, with the near-wholesale turnover on the Alabama assistant coaching staff, including DC/ace recruiter Tosh Lupoi, there may be a window open to make a move with Williams. But. Again. Williams is committed to Alabama so anything other than the most amazing visit ever will likely not result in him flipping.

4-star DE Ja’Darien Boykin. A Gray (GA) Logan County standout, Boykin is a late riser on the board for Miami. At 6’2” 235lbs he doesn’t have elite height/length for a DE, but he’s plenty athletic and has a motor that won’t stop. The comparison I’ve made is a more athletic Trent Harris, which would definitely play here on Miami’s defense.

DL coach Jess Simpson is obviously leaning on his strong ties to Georgia HSFB with the connection to Boykin, and that’s a good thing. Boykin has a visit to Louisville scheduled for next week, with the potential to take yet another visit after that. So, if Miami wants to get Boykin in this class, moves need to be made now.

Grad Transfer Chigozie Nnoruka. A Nigerian native, Nnoruka (no-ROO-ka) is looking for a new college home. He played heavy snaps and did well as a sophomore in 2017. But, UCLA changed their defense to a 3-4 last year and his snap count and impact were both greatly reduced. While not the same player, Nnoruka could help Miami replace some of the production lost by the graduation of All-American DT Gerald Willis III. Some think that Miami is the team to beat, and that Nnoruka could commit to come play for the Canes as early as this weekend.

DISCLAIMER:

Recruiting is weird and secret visits happen all the time. So, if another player besides Williams, Boykin, and Nnoruka pops up in the Gables this weekend, we’ll cover that on Monday’s recap.

Targets taking Official Visits Elsewhere

4-star QB Lance LeGendre - Tennessee. Miami’s latest QB offer who is now the top target at the position this cycle will visit Rocky Top this weekend. He’s slated to visit Florida State next weekend, and Miami the weekend before NSD.

4-star CB Kaiir Elam - Georgia. This Florida Gators legacy will be in Athens visiting the Bulldogs this weekend. Like several other players, Miami is pushing for Elam to take a 2nd OV to the Gables, which is allowed via NCAA rules since Miami has had a head coaching change this cycle.

4-star ATH/RB Mark-Antony Richards - Georgia. This Miami legacy — his brother is former Canes star WR Ahmmon Richards — was in Gainesville visiting UF last weekend (puke) and will join Elam in Athens this weekend. Miami has been pushing for the younger Richards for years, and the change in coaching staff won’t change that. Miami is looking to get MAR on campus in one of the next 2 weeks for a visit to Coral Gables.

3-star LB Octavius Brothers - Georgia Tech. One of Miami’s top LB targets, Brothers will be in the A this weekend. He’s scheduled to visit Miami next weekend.

3-star S Martin Emerson Jr. - Oregon. Miami is hot and heavy after this Mississippi State commit. But, Emerson Jr. is heading to Oregon this week. But, with Miami’s head coaching change, Emerson Jr. could elect to take a 2nd OV to Coral Gables in either of the next 2 weeks, which has been rumored and would be a good thing.

I THINK those are all the away game visits to watch, but if I missed one, let me know.

That’s it for this Official Visit Weekend preview.

Hop in the comments and let’s discuss.

Go Canes