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If I were to tell you a month and a half ago, that the Hurricanes would finish off the 2020 recruiting cycle by improving their class ranking and adding perhaps the best safety in the nation, would you believe me? I wouldn’t either. And yet, Manny Diaz and his staff somehow pulled it off.
Manny Diaz says the addition today of Avantae Williams was an "exclamation point" on what the Hurricanes have been able to do over the course of the last few weeks.
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) February 5, 2020
"That was a big, big finish to the recruiting cycle."
At the end of national signing day on Wednesday, UM had the 13th ranked recruiting class in the country, and capped it off by landing Avantae Williams, who’s considered by many to be the best safety in the 2020 cycle.
ESPN's No. 1 safety in America is headed to Coral Gables.
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) February 5, 2020
Welcome to the U, @SlowDownBoy7! #Category20 pic.twitter.com/MnEDwp0q4b
Though he was labeled as a lock to commit to the Florida Gators, Avantae chose the Hurricanes, which set off a celebration by the Miami faithful. Williams committing to UM was the cherry on top of what had been a great ending to the 2020 recruiting cycle for the Canes.
UM beats out UF for four star safety Avantae Williams, completing excellent month for Miami.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 5, 2020
While they concluded the 2019 season with losses to FIU, Duke and Louisiana Tech, resulting in a 6-7 record for the year, that didn’t stop Diaz and the staff from selling what the future holds for the Hurricanes.
Manny Diaz: "Things are moving in the right direction."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 5, 2020
I'd say that is correct.
Williams was the third commit for the Canes since the beginning of the new year, along with 4-star cornerback Isaiah Dunson and wide receiver Keyshawn Smith. More good news, Smith and fellow 2020 signee Marcus Clarke received a bump to a 4-star ranking from 247Sports.
Keyshawn Smith and Marcus Clarke pickin up that 4th Star
— Mamba Marsh (@hurricanesmarsh) January 29, 2020
LOVE TO SEE IT pic.twitter.com/Nhr2IY3kN7
And it wasn’t just commits out of high school that the Canes were able to secure, but just like in 2019, Miami struck gold in the transfer portal. UM added quarterback D’Eriq King, defensive end Quincy Roche and also kicker Jose Borregales.
The has arrived. pic.twitter.com/vCaKXzeVrV
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) January 24, 2020
And if you look back a year, Miami improved drastically when it came to the overall class rankings for recruiting. In 2019, UM finished ranked 27th in the nation for their class, and like we said earlier, the Canes finished the 2020 cycle ranked 13th.
Manny Diaz says he looked at data over the last 10 years to get an idea of where the Miami program is. "You can identify your issues, but the part I'm most happy about is the quality of people we brought in. ... That's what has me the most excited."
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) February 5, 2020
Adding former Hurricane great Ed Reed as chief of staff also came in handy this past week as well. I’ve said it before and I'll say it again, Coach Diaz and the Miami staff deserves a ton of credit for how they’ve been able to turn this program around within the past month, and their recruiting efforts was leading that charge for UM.
Manny making moves gotta give him credit... been a rough ride ..wait and see mode ..if your not happy with Reed .., I cant help you
— Steve Feinberg (@canesthing) January 30, 2020