2020 Hutchinson C.C. (KS) DB Jakorian Bennett has slowly become one of the more sought-after JUCO prospects in the country the past few weeks, earning offers from Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Ole Miss among others. Bennett had also been in touch with the staff at Miami for a few weeks before UM finally pulled the trigger on a verbal scholarship late last month.
“I had been talking to coach (DeMarcus) Van Dyke for awhile, he was asking how I was doing, said he liked my game. Then coach (Mike) Rumph called me and offered me. Said he liked my film, that I was versatile.
“It feels good, man. Miami is one of the most prolific schools in history, so to get that offer means a lot.”
In his talk with Rumph, the UM cornerbacks coach outlined how he sees Bennett’s role unfolding in the Miami defense.
“I would be playing corner, and since I have film of me playing the nickel position, he wants me to play some nickel too,” Bennett said.
Bennett has already taken officials to SMU and Louisville, and has one scheduled to Maryland on December 6th, but is comfortable saying that Miami will get one of his final two official visits of the process.
“Oh yeah definitely,” Bennett said of taking a Miami OV. “I’m trying to set one up, I’m not sure when, but it’s going to happen.”
What is it about the Canes that has him interested in the Miami program?
“Just the history of the program,” Bennett said. “I like the coaches, I like coach Rumph and what he had to say about me. I liked the way he handled things, I could see myself playing for him. Based on our talk we had, he seems like a pretty laidback coach that has a good relationship with his players. You can’t go wrong with the U in Miami. It’s just an offer I’ve always wanted.”
The 6-0 185 pound prospect has also paid more attention to Miami since he got the offer, watching the Pitt game on TV two weeks ago.
“The defense played pretty good, I saw they had a lot of turnovers,” Bennett said of UM’s win over the Panthers.
Hutchinson C.C. has a strong tradition of producing D-I athletes, and this isn’t the first time the Canes have tried to tap the Hutchinson program this year: Miami took Blue Dragon OL Ousman Traore over the summer as a late 2019 signee and recently offered CB Ronald Williams from the team as well.
“We haven’t talked recently, but we’re pretty cool,” Bennett says of Traore. “(Williams) is my boy. We’re going to do our own thing, but I’m sure me and him will take that Miami visit together.”
Coming out of HS in the class of 2018, Bennett originally played for McGill Toolen HS in Mobile, AL, but his size and his grades prevented most D-I schools from showing interest.
“I was a late bloomer in high school, so I wasn’t really expecting to play college football,” Bennett said. “My senior year, I hit a growth spurt, but my SAT score was late. So I had to come to JUCO and get my grades right.”
Bennett has played all over the defensive backfield thus far in his career. He mainly played corner in HS and in his first year at Hutchinson, but moved to safety this year and has played a lot of nickel as well.
“I have more experience at corner, but I like playing inside and sticking the slot receivers,” Bennett said. “I like playing all over the field honestly, I just like to make plays.”
While Bennett currently has no decision date in mind, he will be an early enrollee at his school of choice, so he will be signing early next month.
“I think I have a couple schools in mind that will be my top choices,” Bennett said. “Early playing time is a factor. I want a good relationship with the coaches, coaches that keep it real and keep good vibes around the team.”
“I had been talking to coach (DeMarcus) Van Dyke for awhile, he was asking how I was doing, said he liked my game. Then coach (Mike) Rumph called me and offered me. Said he liked my film, that I was versatile.
“It feels good, man. Miami is one of the most prolific schools in history, so to get that offer means a lot.”
In his talk with Rumph, the UM cornerbacks coach outlined how he sees Bennett’s role unfolding in the Miami defense.
“I would be playing corner, and since I have film of me playing the nickel position, he wants me to play some nickel too,” Bennett said.
Bennett has already taken officials to SMU and Louisville, and has one scheduled to Maryland on December 6th, but is comfortable saying that Miami will get one of his final two official visits of the process.
“Oh yeah definitely,” Bennett said of taking a Miami OV. “I’m trying to set one up, I’m not sure when, but it’s going to happen.”
What is it about the Canes that has him interested in the Miami program?
“Just the history of the program,” Bennett said. “I like the coaches, I like coach Rumph and what he had to say about me. I liked the way he handled things, I could see myself playing for him. Based on our talk we had, he seems like a pretty laidback coach that has a good relationship with his players. You can’t go wrong with the U in Miami. It’s just an offer I’ve always wanted.”
The 6-0 185 pound prospect has also paid more attention to Miami since he got the offer, watching the Pitt game on TV two weeks ago.
“The defense played pretty good, I saw they had a lot of turnovers,” Bennett said of UM’s win over the Panthers.
Hutchinson C.C. has a strong tradition of producing D-I athletes, and this isn’t the first time the Canes have tried to tap the Hutchinson program this year: Miami took Blue Dragon OL Ousman Traore over the summer as a late 2019 signee and recently offered CB Ronald Williams from the team as well.
“We haven’t talked recently, but we’re pretty cool,” Bennett says of Traore. “(Williams) is my boy. We’re going to do our own thing, but I’m sure me and him will take that Miami visit together.”
Coming out of HS in the class of 2018, Bennett originally played for McGill Toolen HS in Mobile, AL, but his size and his grades prevented most D-I schools from showing interest.
“I was a late bloomer in high school, so I wasn’t really expecting to play college football,” Bennett said. “My senior year, I hit a growth spurt, but my SAT score was late. So I had to come to JUCO and get my grades right.”
Bennett has played all over the defensive backfield thus far in his career. He mainly played corner in HS and in his first year at Hutchinson, but moved to safety this year and has played a lot of nickel as well.
“I have more experience at corner, but I like playing inside and sticking the slot receivers,” Bennett said. “I like playing all over the field honestly, I just like to make plays.”
While Bennett currently has no decision date in mind, he will be an early enrollee at his school of choice, so he will be signing early next month.
“I think I have a couple schools in mind that will be my top choices,” Bennett said. “Early playing time is a factor. I want a good relationship with the coaches, coaches that keep it real and keep good vibes around the team.”
