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There’s only a few remaining 2021 targets for the Miami Hurricanes, but today I'm going to talk about one of my new favorite prospects in this class, 3-star running back Amari Daniels out of Miami Central High School.
Yall Check it out4️⃣ #BESTRBIN21 https://t.co/DtVUdxxotr
— AMARI DANIELS⁴ (@_NoLimitMari) May 16, 2020
247 Sports composite has Daniels ranked as the #6 all-purpose back for the 2021 class and #52 overall player in the state of Florida.
Canes Family! Show love to Amari Daniels @_NoLimitMari, he would be an amazing addition to the 2021 class, check out the rest of the video in the link below #LovoProductionshttps://t.co/kfEmSQHaOZ pic.twitter.com/gRTUzU7CnR
— Gabriel Lovo™ (@Lovooo_) July 5, 2020
For a long time, it looked like Daniels had little to no interest in the hometown Hurricanes, but with the arrival of new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, paired with the success of Miami and the offense so far, there’s reason to believe UM could be his choice.
Amari Daniels in a Rhett Lashlee offense would be electric
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) September 30, 2020
Last week Daniels announced on social media that he’d be releasing his top two schools soon. He’s also told 247 Sports that he plans on making a decision before the start of his season, which is expected to be next month. There’s said to be four schools that could make his top two, Miami, Texas A&M, Georgia and Penn State.
TOP 2 COMING SOON #BLESSED
— AMARI DANIELS⁴ (@_NoLimitMari) September 24, 2020
Daniels enters his senior season as one of the best running backs in South Florida, and his 3-star ranking is almost guaranteed to rise this fall. As a junior, Daniels helped Miami Central win the 6A State Title, while rushing for over 1,000 yards.
Over 1,000 yards last year and one the top running backs in South Florida, Amari Daniels needs to be a Miami Hurricane.
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) September 30, 2020
HUGE fan of this kid pic.twitter.com/hwn1vwdsB9
Recently, Daniels announced that he’d be playing in the All-American Bowl, which is going to be in early January.
Amari can RUN RUN
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) September 24, 2020
Thrilled to welcome Amari Daniels (@_NoLimitMari) to the 2021 All-American Bowl @NBCSports #AAB21 #AllAmericanBowl @GEICO pic.twitter.com/RYgdjVTW8a
I’m a huge fan of running backs that come out of South Florida, it really says something about a player if they can put up impressive stats in the most talented area for high school football in the country. Just look at guys like Jaylan Knighton and Donald Chaney Jr.
Daniels reminds me a little bit of Knighton, both are home-run hitters when it comes to the position, and can go 65 yards like that for a touchdown. Amari stands at only 5-8 but decent size at 195 pounds, again very similar to Knighton’s build.
Miami Central's Amari Daniels showed serious explosiveness on ESPN today @_nolimitMari pic.twitter.com/NDq87byFFD
— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) August 24, 2019
He doesn’t have the burning 4.4 speed of someone like Knighton or Duke Johnson, but Daniels has great quickness that allows him to break off long runs. Then once he’s in the open field, Daniels can make defenders miss with a stiff arm or his agility.
Daniels is a home run hitter at running back. 247 Sports has him as the #8 all purpose back in the 2021 class. You can guarantee he’ll rise in the recruiting rankings his senior year. pic.twitter.com/i5jrQXm8mJ
— Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) September 30, 2020
Aside from his downfield speed, Daniels vision as a running back is something else that makes him an elite prospect. He shows great decision making in which holes to cut through, and he doesn’t hesitate.
Amari Daniels: two carries, 103 yards, two touchdowns. Central leads 14-0. @_NoLimitMari pic.twitter.com/stTLqVdrP3
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) December 13, 2019
What really excites me about Daniels, is what he could bring to Miami’s RB room. If I had to bet, I’d say Cam’ron Harris declares for the NFL Draft after this season, and we already know that Rhett Lashlee loves to use a 3-4 player at rotation for his running backs. So it’s safe to assume Daniels would see action as a true freshman.
Amari Daniels goes 76 yards to the house on Central's first offensive play. Rockets lead 7-0. @_NoLimitMari pic.twitter.com/236yKwJeUl
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) December 13, 2019
In Daniels and Knighton, you’d have your faster backs that can also play a role in the passing game. Then you have Chaney, and current 2021 commit 4-star Thad Franklin from Chaminade-Madonna in Broward County. Both Franklin and Chaney are powerful and bruising runners. If you have those four, that would become an elite running backs room very quickly.
Thad Franklin and Amari Daniels would be a SCARY duo at running back for the Canes. Thunder and lightning. pic.twitter.com/lM79TMfaI9
— 4’s Up Podcast (@4sUpPodcast) September 30, 2020
With Miami off this week before playing Clemson next Saturday, you can bet Manny Diaz and his staff are talking with Daniels, especially with his top two schools coming out soon. At this point, it looks like it could come down to Miami and Texas A&M. If the Canes can land Daniels, they’ll have a future star on their hands.