Miami Hurricanes News and Notes: Hurricanes Take on Demon Deacons, the 2020 Recruiting Trail, Final Weekend of NFL Rookie Minicamps

Good Morning Canes Fam,

Final Regular Season Road Series for Hurricanes Baseball

Coming off of a narrow 8-7 loss to UCF on Wednesday, Hurricanes Baseball hits the road this weekend. The team will travel for the final time in the regular season to take on Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons enter the weekend with a 28-20 record.

Pitcher Brian Van Belle (3.25 ERA) gets the start for Miami. Van Belle (7-2) attempts to gain his eighth win of season. Freshman center fielder Jordan Lala enters the weekend with 22 stolen bases, second most in the ACC.

Be sure to check John Reynold’s latest edition of This Week in ’Canes Baseball for a comprehensive preview of this weekend’s series against Wake Forest.

First pitch is set for 6pm EDT.

Tales From the Recruiting Trail

Miami’s Football coaching staff continue to scour the country as they to strengthen their 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes. Miami’s staff have been racking up the reward miles in their travels throughout the week. California, Nevada, Connecticut, Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, and Georgia are just some of the locations visited by UM personnel. Of course, the program continues to cultivate relationships in South Florida.

On Monday, Miami landed a verbal pledge from 2020 Largo Pinellas Park LB Alvin “AJ” Mathis. State of the U’s Justin Dottavio analyzed Mathis’ game to give you a better idea of who he is on film.

Outside linebacker coach Jonathan Patke and tight end coach Stephen Field were on the West Coast earlier in the week. The primary target for their trip was to see 5-star Upland (Cali) LB Justin Flowe.

The top linebacker prospects for the class of 2020, Flowe has offers from virtually every program in the country. Flowe visited Coral Gables this past spring to see Miami scrimmage at Traz Powell Stadium. UM is now working to get the LB to return to Coral Gables for an official visit.

After getting a visit from cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph, the Hurricanes landed their second commitment of the week in the form of Western (Ft. Lauderdale) CB Justin Hodges.

Miami currently sits fourth in 247 Sports ’20 recruiting rankings.

According to InsidetheU.com, a day after visiting with Justin Flowe, Coach Field travelled to Las Vegas to catch up with 2020 Desert Pines TE Darnell Washington. Field also extended an offer to 2020 Bishop Gorman (LV) WR Rome Odunze— yes, the same high school that QB Tate Martell, TE Brevin Jordan and S Bubba Bolden attended.

On Thursday, the Hurricanes offered 2020 three-star Shadow Creek (TX) DE Alec Bryant.

The 305 Beat

The Hurricanes received their first linebacker commit of the 2020 season. David Wilson of the Miami Herald shines light on another UM target, St. Lucie West Centennial OLB Jamari Stewart.

There will be a healthy amount of first year head coaches making their debuts in 2019, including Miami’s own Manny Diaz. In a Associated Press column, Diaz was ranked sixth in the most likely to succeed rankings by the publication.

The Hurricanes received a couple of commitments earlier in the week. However, Miami did suffer a decommitment from 2021 American Heritage Plantation (FL) S James Williams. Manny Navarro of The Athletic discusses the Hurricanes continued pursuit to win over South Florida prospects.

More NFL Rookie Minicamps

The remainder of Miami’s 2019 NFL Draft class will take join fellow rookies today for the second and final weekend of rookie minicamps this weekend.

Arizona Cardinals — Jahair Jones

Buffalo Bills — Jaquan Johnson, Mike Smith

Dallas Cowboys — Michael Jackson Sr., Joe Jackson

New England Patriots — Tyree St. Louis, Tyler Gauthier

Former Hurricanes’ CB Jhavonte Dean and RB Trayone Gray both signed undrafted free agent deals with the Cleveland Browns on Monday. The pair spent last weekend working out on a tryout basis during the Browns’ rookie minicamp. That makes eight former Hurricanes that could potentially call Cleveland home to start the 2019 season.

Lindsey Young of Vikings.com wrote a feature that included former Miami DT Tito Odenigbo and how his relationship to his older brother — now teammate — Ifeadi Odenigbo, has impacted his pursuit of a career in the NFL.

David Helman and Nick Eaton of Dallascowboys.com found out why former UM DE Joe Jackson is “always ready to work.”

Check out Travis Homer first appearance as a Seahawk in this video from last week’s minicamp. Early reports have Homer projected as a third-down back in his rookie season. Here’s a link to Homer’s first interview in a Seahawks uniform, where he explains his love of anime.

The Buffalo Bills are giving the Browns a run for their money when it comes to ProCanes both on the field and off the field. Buffalo drafted Jaquan Johnson, who will join G Jon Feliciano and RB Frank Gore on the active roster. In the front office, former Hurricanes linebacking great Dan Morgan is the team’s director of player personnel. On Tuesday, the Bills announced the hiring of former Hurricanes safety AJ Highsmith as an area scout for the organization.

Non-Revenue Sports

Today marks the second day of the ACC Outdoor Championship in Charlottesville, Virginia. Michelle Atherley dominated the day, winning all four of her events on day one.

Go Canes and Have a Great Day!