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Miami Hurricanes Recruiting: Paradise Camp 2019 Preview

The premier recruiting camp is back and better than ever.

Mike Seay/StateOfTheU

For the first time as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, Manny Diaz is set to host Paradise Camp.

Created by former head coach Mark Richt in 2016, Paradise Camp has turned into one of the premier recruiting camps in the country. While the event is usually hosted in July, the NCAA Dead Period has forced the event to be moved up to the end of June (right before the beginning of the period).

The Schedule:

While the schedule looks to remain similar to other years, one significant change coming from Manny Diaz is moving Friday’s event to Hard Rock Stadium instead of holding it on campus. While Friday is still going to be about building relationships, which is always critical when recruiting, it does mean we likely won’t see Diaz do a backflip off the high dive.

Saturday’s competition is invite only and features elite competition. In fact, it features some of the best competition in the nation and is one of the premier recruiting camps. The event will be held at the Carol Soffer Football Practice Facility for the first time.

The guests:

Like every year, Paradise Camp not only features some top competition on the field but some polarizing names to help coach and speak to them. This year’s list features some of the top former Hurricanes at their respective positions.

The names:

Alumni Coaches and Speakers

Name Position
Name Position
Gino Torretta QB
Bernie Kosar QB
Jacory Harris QB
Willis McGahee RB
Alonzo Highsmith RB
Duke Johnson RB
Najeh Davenport RB
Lamar Miller RB
Travis Homer RB
Michael Irvin WR
Randal Hill WR
Brian Blades WR
Santana Moss WR
Travis Benjamin WR
Allen Hurns WR
Jeremy Shockey TE
David Njoku TE
Chris Herndon TE
Bryant McKinnie OL
Joaquin Gonzalez OL
Vernon Carey OL
Jon Feliciano OL
Kc McDermott OL
Warren Sapp DL
Allen Bailey DL
Joe Jackson DL
Danny Stubbs DL
Greg Mark DL
Bill Hawkins DL
Kendrick Norton DL
Jon Beason LB
DJ Williams LB
Rohan Marley LB
Jaquan Johnson S
Deon Bush S
Rayshawn Jenkins S
Jamal Carter S
Sheldrick Redwine S

As you can see, the list of coaches is insane and filled with not only great college players but some amazing NFL talents as well.

Michael Irvin has a bust in Canton and players like Bryant McKinnie, Jeremy Shockey and Santana Moss carved out terrific NFL career for themselves.

The list also has some current ProCanes that have found a home for themselves. Lamar Miller and David Njoku are both starting on the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns respectively and the Hurricanes all-time leading rusher Duke Johnson is currently in Cleveland as well.

Attendees:

The most important part of the event, the recruits that will travel to Coral Gables is filled with talent.

Class of 2020 Attendees

Name Rank Position Height/Weight High School (Home Town) Commitment
Name Rank Position Height/Weight High School (Home Town) Commitment
Don Chaney Jr. 5-Star RB 5'11" 195 lbs Belen Jesuit Prep (Miami, FL) Miami
Darnell Washington 5-Star TE 6'7" 248 lbs Desert Pines (Las Vegas, NV) None
Keshawn Lawrence 4-Star S 6'1" 195 lbs Ensworth (Nashville, TN) None
Dazalin Worsham 4-Star WR 6'0" 185 lbs Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, AL) Alabama
Ladarius Tennison 4-Star ATH 5'8" 193 lbs Rockridge (Southwest Brevard Cnty, FL) None
Jaylen Harrell 4-Star CB 6'2" 180 lbs Miami Central (Miami, FL) Florida State
Bryan Robinson 4-Star WR 6'1" 179 lbs Palm Beach Central (West Palm Beach, FL) None
Ja'Khi Douglas 4-Star WR 5'9" 187 lbs Terrebonne (Houma, LA) None
Tyler Van Dyke 4-Star QB 6'4" 212 lbs Suffield Academy (Glastonbury, CA) Miami
Jaiden Francois 4-Star S 6'0" 184 lbs South Dade (Homestad, FL) Miami
Marcus Fleming 4-Star WR 5'9" 160 lbs Northwestern (Miami,FL) Miami
Willie Moise 4-Star DT 6'3" 291 lbs Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) Miami
Avantae Williams 4-Star S 5'11" 170 lbs Deland (Deland, FL) Oregon
Samuel Anaele 4-Star DE 6'4" 243 lbs Miami Carol City (Miami, FL) Miami
Elijah Roberts 3-Star SDE 6'3" 267 lbs Columbus (Miami, FL) None
Keshawn Washington 3-Star S 6'1" 177 lbs South Dade (Homestad, FL) Miami
Ruben Hyppolite II 3-Star LB 6'0" 225 lbs McArthur (Hollywood, FL) Maryland
Henry Parrish 3-Star RB 5'10" 173 lbs Columbus (Miami, FL) None
Diego LaMonica 3-Star TE 6'4" 226 lbs Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL) None
Ja'Vontae Williams 3-Star WR 6'0" 196 lbs Glades Central (Belle Glade, FL) None
Jaylon Carlies 3-Star WR 6'2" 184 lbs West Orange (Winter Garden, FL) None
Westley Neal 3-Star DE 6'0" 317 lbs Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL) None
Andy Garcia 3-Star LB 6'2" 210 lbs St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, LF) None
Brian Balom 3-Star S 6'0" 179 lbs Miramar (Hollywood, FL) None
Dominic Mammarelli 3-Star TE 6'4" 235 lbs Naples (Naples, FL) Miami
Tre'Von Riggins 3-Star DE 6'1" 273 lbs Lakewood (St. Petersburg, FL) Miami
Daran Branch 3-Star CB 6'1" 168 lbs Amite (Amite, FL) Miami
Alvin Mathis 3-Star LB 6'1" 210 lbs Pinellas Park (Largo, FL) Miami
Antonio Smith 3-Star OT 6'2" 275 lbs Vanguard (Ocala, FL) Miami
Justin Hodges 3-Star CB 6'1" 155 lbs Western (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Miami
Xavier Restrepo 3-Star ATH 5'10" 186 lbs Deerfield Beach (Deerfield Beach, FL) Miami
Marcus Clarke 3-Star ATH 5'11" 175 lbs Winter Park (Winter Park, FL) Miami
Shykieim Gloster 3-Star DE 6'3" 215 lbs Monsignor Pace (Opa Locka, FL) Florida International
Cayden Baker 3-Star OT 6'6" 260 lbs Fort Myers (Fort Myers, FL) None
Eli Acker 3-Star OT 6'5" 270 lbs Heritage Academy (Columbus, MS) Ole Miss
Kenley-Mary Asse 3-Star OC 6'3' 293 lbs Monsignor Pace (Opa Locka, FL) None
Daemon Hill Unranked CB 6'0" 170 lbs Palmetto (Palmetto, FL) None
Khristopher Love Unranked OG 6'3" 315 lbs American Heritage (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) None
Lloyd Willis Unranked OT 6'7" 290 lbs Killian (Miami, FL) None
Terrell Torrence Jr Unranked DT 6'2" 328 lbs Northwestern (Miami,FL) None
Khaishef Edwards Unranked WR 5'10" 165 lbs Largo (Largo, FL) None
Rankings are 247Composite (if available) and list is courtesy of reports from 247Sports, Rivals and CanesInSight

Of the 2020 recruits, two of them have been brought in for official visits: defensive back Keshawn Lawrence and wide receiver Dazalin Worsham.

Ranked as the third safety in the class, Washington is the cousin of former Hurricane cornerback Corn Elder, who played from 2013 to 2016. Miami is currently battling with Tennessee for his services.

As a prospect, Lawrence’s versatility makes him an intriguing prospect for the Hurricanes. While Lawrence will likely play safety at the college level, he has the size to play linebacker and has experience playing cornerback.

Worsham, who committed to Alabama in April of 2018, is ranked as the 11th best prospect in Alabama. The Dan Enos link makes Worsham a flip candidate this weekend and onwards for the Hurricanes.

Currently, 15 of the seniors attending Paradise Camp are current Canes commits. The list includes Don Chaney Jr., a five-star commit, who could play the role of vocal leader at Paradise Camp.

Here are some Seniors that the Canes will likely be tracking closely come Saturday:

  • WR Bryan Robinson: A recent decommitment from the Hurricanes, Robinson is an Under Armour All-American that will have a strong season for Palm Beach Central. The Hurricanes will have to fend off interest from Florida State if they wish to get a recommitment from Robinson.
  • TE Darnell Washington: Getting any five-star on campus is a plus, especially if you can get them there for your recruiting camp. Miami has recruited the Las Vegas tight end scene well in previous years (Brevin Jordan) and will try to use that magic and the tight ends alumni who will return to campus to their advantage.
  • S Ladarius Tennison: One of the best safeties in the country, Tennison used to be committed to the Canes before, like Robinson, he decommitted.
  • DT Westley Neal: Neal has attended the last three Paradise Camps and is a good fit as a 0-tech (or nose tackle) in a 3-4 defense with his size.
  • DE Jaylen Harrell: Defensive coordinator Blake Baker visited Harrell in late April and Harrell was on campus in March for Junior Day. Harrell holds offers from some of the top schools in the nation.
  • CBs Keshawn Lawrence: Mentioned earlier as one of two guys coming in on an official visit, the Hurricanes seem to have a lot of interest in the versatile defensive back.
  • OG Khristopher Love: Love camped last weekend at Miami and reportedly impressed. The cycle will likely feature one more interior offensive line and with a strong Paradise Camp, Love could be the one.

Underclassmen Attendees (2021 and 2022)

Year Name Rank Position Height/Weight School Commitment (if any)
Year Name Rank Position Height/Weight School Commitment (if any)
2021 James Williams 5-Star S 6'5" 218 lbs Western (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
2021 Leonard Taylor 4-Star DT 6'4" 240 lbs Miami Palmetto (Miami, FL)
2021 Maason Smith 4-Star DT 6'4" 299 lbs Terrebonne (Houma, LA)
2021 Donnell Harris 4-Star DE 6'4" 210 lbs Booker T. Washington (Miami, FL)
2021 Jake Briningstool 4-Star TE 6'6" 215 lbs Ravenwood (Brentwood, TN)
2021 Laurence Seymore 4-Star OG 6'1" 293 lbs Miami Central (Miami, FL) Miami
2021 Savion Collins 4-Star DT 6'4" 290 lbs Southwest Miami (Miami, FL) Miami
2021 Jonathan Flowe 4-Star OLB 6'1" 195 lbs Upland (Upland, CA)
2021 Corey Collier 4-Star CB 6'2" 170 lbs Miami Palmetto (Miami, FL)
2021 Jason Marshall 4-Star CB 6'2" 180 lbs Miami Palmetto (Miami, FL)
2021 Romello Brinson 3-Star WR 6'2" 180 lbs Northwestern (Miami, FL) Miami
2021 Kahlil Brantley 3-Star TE 6'2" 190 lbs Northwestern (Miami, FL) Miami
2021 Tyler Johnson 3-Star DE 6'2" 200 lbs South Dade (Homestead, FL) Miami
2021 Yulkeith Brown 3-Star WR 5'10" 164 lbs Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL)
2021 Gaethan Bernadel 3-Star LB 6'1" 210 lbs Hallandale (Hallandale, FL)
2021 Amari Daniels 3-Star RB 5'8" 194 lbs Miami Central (Miami, FL)
2021 Fred Eaford 3-Star WR 6'0" 162 lbs Hialeah (Hialeah, FL) Miami
2021 Michael Jackson 3-Star ATH 5'11" 190 lbs Desert Pines (Las Vegas, NV)
2021 Kelly Loiseau 3-Star RB 5'11" 190 lbs Miami Christian School (Miami, FL)
2021 Brashard Smith Unranked WR 5'8" 177 lbs Miami Palmetto (Miami, FL)
2021 Santino Marucci Unranked QB 6'1" 190 lbs The Benjamin School (Jupiter, FL)
2021 Malik Rutherford Unranked WR 5'7" 155 lbs Champagnat Catholic-Hialeah (Hialeah, FL)
2021 Keanu Koht Unranked DE 6'4" 224 lbs Vero Beach (Vero Beach, FL)
2021 Jacolby George Unranked WR 5'10" 155 lbs Plantation (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
2021 Patrick Payton Unranked LB 6'5" 205 lbs Miami Senior (Miami, FL)
2021 Zachary Lovett Unranked LB 6'2" 210 lbs Rockledge (Rockledge, FL)
2021 Cortez McKenzie Unranked LB 6'0" 195 lbs Lakewood (St. Petersburg, FL)
2021 Anthony Marshall Unranked S 5'11" 160 lbs Southwest Miami (Miami, FL)
2021 Chief Borders Unranked ATH 6'3" 211 lbs McEachern (Powder Springs, GA)
2022 Shemar Stewart DE 6'4" 236 lbs Monsignor Pace (Opa Locka, FL)
2022 Kamari Wilson S 6'1" 179 lbs Fort Pierce Westwood (Fort Pierce, FL)
2022 Francois Nolton DE 6'4" 213 lbs Miami Christian School (Miami, FL)
2022 Daniel Lyons DE 6'3" 234 lbs Miami Southridge (Miami, FL)
2022 Dante Anderson DE 6'3" 197 lbs Miami Southridge (Miami, FL)
2022 Rian Black WR 6'0" 188 lbs Rockledge (Rockledge, FL)
2022 MJ Morris QB 6'1" 175 lbs Carrollton (Carrollton, FL)
2022 Jaziun Patterson RB 5'10" 171 lbs Deerfield Beach (Deerfield Beach, FL)

The list of underclassmen is headlined by 2021 DE Donnell Harris. Harris decommitted from the Hurricanes earlier this month but the Hurricanes still appear to be in the race for one of the best defensive ends in the class. The Hurricanes are likely battling with Florida State for Harris.

As a sophomore, Harris had 21 sacks and was named a first-team All-Dade selection by the Miami Herald. Harris has a lot of bend as a pass rusher with great instincts and football IQ. Harris looks best as a stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

2021 S James Williams should also be a top target for the Hurricanes. A local 5-star recruit, Williams has all the size and speed you’d like out of a safety and looks comfortable playing zone. If Miami can keep him home, it’s a major benefit to the Hurricanes.

2021 DT Leonard Taylor has had interest from the Hurricanes in the past and visited the campus on an unofficial in April. Taylor transferred to Miami Palmetto for his junior season and will likely gather more interest from the Hurricanes.

Yulkeith Brown (2021 WR) has had some strong interest from the Canes in the past few months, including a visit from Ephraim Banda in May. He attended a Hurricanes camp earlier this month. Keep an eye on him.

Santino Marucci (2021 QB) is a legacy. His father, Jason Marucci was a running back for the Hurricanes from 1990 to 1992. Santino Marucci is an interesting prospect himself. The rising prospect threw for 18 touchdowns and ran for 7. His performance helped Benjamin make the play-offs, where they were quickly defeated by American Heritage-Delray.

Keep an eye on Gaethan Bernadel and Malik Rutherford. The three have had some interest from the Canes previously and a strong camp could see increased interest.

Overall, the talent attending this year’s Paradise Camp is stacked, no other way around it. Not often do you see two five-star recruits and one of the best underclassmen recruits at the same recruiting event, on your campus.

Poll

Over/Under 1.5 commitments, how many commits to you expect from Paradise Camp 2019?

This poll is closed

  • 2%
    None
    (4 votes)
  • 12%
    Under
    (24 votes)
  • 73%
    Over
    (145 votes)
  • 12%
    Way over
    (25 votes)
198 votes total Vote Now