Miami Needs To Land Safety Jalen Harrell

As recruiting for the 2020 class draws nearer and nearer to closing, there are several big name targets that Manny Diaz and the Hurricanes would like to bring to Miami. One of those players is 4-star safety Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Jalen Harrell.

The South Florida product de-committed from Florida State last month, and has been a hot commodity ever since. 247Sports has Harrell ranked as the 23rd safety and 38th overall player in the state of Florida for the class of 2020.

For a safety, Harrell has a good frame at 6’2 and 180 pounds, though you’d think that training with David Feeley in the offseason at Miami will have him bulking up a little more. Though, the Hurricanes could also try Harrell at the striker position as well. Miami has had luck with players transitioning to striker, turning senior Romeo Finley into an NFL Draft prospect.

Since de-committing from the Seminoles in mid-October, Harrell has been busy. He took an official visit to Georgia Tech at the beginning of the month, and it was said that he was really impressed in Atlanta.

The following week, Harrell took his OV to Miami and was on hand to see the Hurricanes 52-27 win over Louisville. After the visit, Harrell told reporters that UM was leading his recruiting race. While he was in Coral Gables, star defensive end Gregory Rousseau was Harrell’s host. Rousseau also attended Champagnat Catholic.

During the Canes bye this past weekend, Rousseau and fellow defensive lineman Nesta Jade Silvera stopped by to see Harrell’s playoff game on Friday.

You also have to believe that Harrell is leaning towards Miami once former UM commit DB Daran Branch announced that he was flipping to Ole Miss on Sunday. Perhaps the three-star Branch de-committing is the Canes way of making way for the four-star Harrell.

While he enjoyed Miami very much, Harrell still also intends on visiting UCF later this month. It is said that Harrell will announce his decision during the Early Signing Period, though it is unclear whether he’d be an early enrollee.

Miami currently has three defensive backs committed in the 2020 class, South Dade three-star safety Keshawn Washington, Miramar three-star safety Brian Balom, and then Winter Park three-star cornerback Marcus Clarke.

That being said, Harrell is no doubt a top priority for Miami and their program. A talented defensive back, who’s also from “the crib,” UM and Harrell would be a match made in heaven.