Here are some recent notes concerning Miami recruiting:
-While it is pretty common knowledge that 5-Star LB Matthew Thomas is an FSU lean right now, the Miami staff is recruiting him as hard as they possibly can right now. Not only are they recruiting Thomas personally, but they are selling his mom hard too, who is going to be a big part of his decision. Thomas has stated in the past that his mother would like for him to stay in Miami.
-Miami commit Alex Collins is already off to a huge start in the first two games of his season, with over 450 yards and 5 TD. FSU RB coach Eddie Gran, who is Collins' main recruiter, was at his game on Friday to watch him play. Collins has also set up his official visit to Wisconsin for October 6th, when the Badgers will face Illinois. There is no doubt that Collins is the least solid commitment right now, but the fact that he hasn't de-committed by now is a good sign.
-There was speculation over the past month that Keith Bryant's mother wanted him to get away from South Florida for school, but that has really been taken out of context. From multiple conversations with Keith, he has told me that his mom just wanted him to take some more visits over the summer to make sure he had made the right decision. He traveled to UF, FSU, USC, UGA amongst others and has stayed committed to the Canes. He feels very confident he can come in and play a lot from the start (which he can). There is nothing to worry about here. Keith has also been an active recruiter for Miami, and keeps in contact with multiple commits.
-Miami has offered 2014 Louisiana stud Devante "Speedy" Noil, the teammate of commitment Standish Dobard. A Louisiana source informed me that Texas and Ohio State are Noil's favorites with LSU in there as well. Miami has a slight chance to make a move with the Dobard connection, but it is not very likely.
-Something that kind of went under-the-radar over the summer was Marshall's pursuit of Angelo Jean-Louis. The Marshall coaching staff went after AJL hard and told him that he would be able to qualify and play this season, but he didn't flinch on his 'Canes commitment and went through with his initial plans of attending Fork Union Prep School. Jean-Louis told me last month that he is on track to be in Coral Gables in January.
-Central RB Dalvin Cook (Clemson commit) had a huge game against Booker T last Saturday Night. As I've said for months, Cook's recruitment is far from over. Miami will be recruiting him as hard as Sony Michel for the 2014 class. He says he chose Clemson because he liked the way they used CJ Spiller in their offense, but we'll see where he is headed a year and a half from now considering the offensive staff at Clemson is different from when Spiller was there, and schools will definitely use that pitch against the Tigers.
-There is some good news regarding Kevin "Baby Jesus" Olsen. There were initial reports from last week stating that he would miss the entire season with a broken foot, but now NorthJersey.com is reporting that he will only be missing 6-8 weeks and could be back in time for the playoffs. Wayne Hills is going for the 3-peat this year as well. Here is the story: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/1...o_miss_6-8_weeks_after_breaking_his_foot.html
-When I talked to UF LB commit Quinton Powell last week, he told me this: "I'm just looking for new experiences, want to see whats out there for me. Miami is one of those schools I would like to try out and take an official visit to." Talking to some people close to the situation, I would be surprised if he winds up as a Cane, but his interest is definitely sincere. He initiated the contact with the Miami coaches last week.
-Tim Williams is one of the biggest names still on the board for Miami and it is going to be a battle to the end for his services. He was at the LSU game last week and the Tigers' coaching staff has been turning the heat up on him lately. The 'Canes are not out of it whatsoever and he still plans on visiting for the FSU game, but it is a much tougher fight for him now that the hometown team has made him a priority. The thing that separates Miami here is that they have been on him HARD since the beginning and he loves the relationship he has with the coaches.
-2014 DL target Chad Thomas got an invite to the 2013 Under Armour combine today. Thomas recently did an interview with CanesInSight and said that staying home to play in front of is family will be a big part of his decision process.
-Something to monitor as far as the 2014 class will be the recruitment of Booker T. Washington QB Treon Harris. Most do not consider Harris as a QB at the next level and he claims that the Canes have offered him as a quarterback. While Harris is only a junior, he is very well-respected amongst his teammates and it would be a big deal for Matthew Thomas, Denver Kirkland, Chad Thomas, and Nigel Patten (not offered yet) if Treon was being heavily recruited by Miami. I think he's a really good football player that is Miami caliber, the key will be finding his position. He's very similar to his brother, Thearon Collier, in the sense that he's not overly athletic, but he's just a baller and makes plays.
-While it is pretty common knowledge that 5-Star LB Matthew Thomas is an FSU lean right now, the Miami staff is recruiting him as hard as they possibly can right now. Not only are they recruiting Thomas personally, but they are selling his mom hard too, who is going to be a big part of his decision. Thomas has stated in the past that his mother would like for him to stay in Miami.
-Miami commit Alex Collins is already off to a huge start in the first two games of his season, with over 450 yards and 5 TD. FSU RB coach Eddie Gran, who is Collins' main recruiter, was at his game on Friday to watch him play. Collins has also set up his official visit to Wisconsin for October 6th, when the Badgers will face Illinois. There is no doubt that Collins is the least solid commitment right now, but the fact that he hasn't de-committed by now is a good sign.
-There was speculation over the past month that Keith Bryant's mother wanted him to get away from South Florida for school, but that has really been taken out of context. From multiple conversations with Keith, he has told me that his mom just wanted him to take some more visits over the summer to make sure he had made the right decision. He traveled to UF, FSU, USC, UGA amongst others and has stayed committed to the Canes. He feels very confident he can come in and play a lot from the start (which he can). There is nothing to worry about here. Keith has also been an active recruiter for Miami, and keeps in contact with multiple commits.
-Miami has offered 2014 Louisiana stud Devante "Speedy" Noil, the teammate of commitment Standish Dobard. A Louisiana source informed me that Texas and Ohio State are Noil's favorites with LSU in there as well. Miami has a slight chance to make a move with the Dobard connection, but it is not very likely.
-Something that kind of went under-the-radar over the summer was Marshall's pursuit of Angelo Jean-Louis. The Marshall coaching staff went after AJL hard and told him that he would be able to qualify and play this season, but he didn't flinch on his 'Canes commitment and went through with his initial plans of attending Fork Union Prep School. Jean-Louis told me last month that he is on track to be in Coral Gables in January.
-Central RB Dalvin Cook (Clemson commit) had a huge game against Booker T last Saturday Night. As I've said for months, Cook's recruitment is far from over. Miami will be recruiting him as hard as Sony Michel for the 2014 class. He says he chose Clemson because he liked the way they used CJ Spiller in their offense, but we'll see where he is headed a year and a half from now considering the offensive staff at Clemson is different from when Spiller was there, and schools will definitely use that pitch against the Tigers.
-There is some good news regarding Kevin "Baby Jesus" Olsen. There were initial reports from last week stating that he would miss the entire season with a broken foot, but now NorthJersey.com is reporting that he will only be missing 6-8 weeks and could be back in time for the playoffs. Wayne Hills is going for the 3-peat this year as well. Here is the story: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/1...o_miss_6-8_weeks_after_breaking_his_foot.html
-When I talked to UF LB commit Quinton Powell last week, he told me this: "I'm just looking for new experiences, want to see whats out there for me. Miami is one of those schools I would like to try out and take an official visit to." Talking to some people close to the situation, I would be surprised if he winds up as a Cane, but his interest is definitely sincere. He initiated the contact with the Miami coaches last week.
-Tim Williams is one of the biggest names still on the board for Miami and it is going to be a battle to the end for his services. He was at the LSU game last week and the Tigers' coaching staff has been turning the heat up on him lately. The 'Canes are not out of it whatsoever and he still plans on visiting for the FSU game, but it is a much tougher fight for him now that the hometown team has made him a priority. The thing that separates Miami here is that they have been on him HARD since the beginning and he loves the relationship he has with the coaches.
-2014 DL target Chad Thomas got an invite to the 2013 Under Armour combine today. Thomas recently did an interview with CanesInSight and said that staying home to play in front of is family will be a big part of his decision process.
-Something to monitor as far as the 2014 class will be the recruitment of Booker T. Washington QB Treon Harris. Most do not consider Harris as a QB at the next level and he claims that the Canes have offered him as a quarterback. While Harris is only a junior, he is very well-respected amongst his teammates and it would be a big deal for Matthew Thomas, Denver Kirkland, Chad Thomas, and Nigel Patten (not offered yet) if Treon was being heavily recruited by Miami. I think he's a really good football player that is Miami caliber, the key will be finding his position. He's very similar to his brother, Thearon Collier, in the sense that he's not overly athletic, but he's just a baller and makes plays.
