2021 McEachern 4-star QB Carlos Del Rio lives and plays football in Powder Springs, Georgia, but that hasn’t kept him from making multiple trips down south for the purpose of seeing the University of Miami. After making his way to Miami’s campus back in June for a Mark Richt summer camp (where he earned his offer) and in October for the FSU game, Del Rio made his third such visit to Coral Gables a little over a week ago to see just how much had changed in the Miami program since the end of 2018.
“I didn’t get a chance to speak to coach (Dan) Enos or coach (Manny) Diaz, they were pretty busy, but it was cool though,” Del Rio said. “I watched practice, took a tour with the players, recruiting coach, and the player personnel coach, real cool coaches. Also spoke to coach (Jesse) Stone, he was talking to me about the new system and stuff like that.”
The Canes haven’t been the only school Del Rio has visited this spring, though. He has made recent trips to Florida, Ohio State, LSU, and Ole Miss, while stopping in most recently for Alabama’s spring game over the weekend. Del Rio has upcoming plans to visit a few more schools from the Big 10 and Big 12, and then he will narrow down his options likely over the summer.
“I’m talking to all the coaches trying to find the best fit, where I could really help a team and make a difference and impact,” Del Rio said. “I’m just trying to narrow down a couple schools as soon as possible. I have a couple more schools I want to visit and then I think I will definitely know.”
Why might Miami make his top list?
“The environment is cool and the school is a top school,” Del Rio said of the Canes. “And it’s Miami, warm sun and beautiful everything.”
Del Rio took a step forward in his second season as the starting QB for McEachern, making improvements in every major statistical category despite injuries to his receiving corps. The 6’3” 200 pound prospect finished with 2,138 yards passing and a 57% completion percentage, as well as a 20-11 TD-INT ratio, while helping lead the Indians to the quarterfinals of their playoff bracket before falling to Colquitt County.
“I had a pretty good year,” Del Rio said. “We lost all our receivers early on but still made it to the quarterfinals in the biggest classification in Georgia, 7A. But, I gotta get that state title this year.”
The big season aided Del Rio in opening eyes within the recruiting industry, and led to him being nationally ranked in the newest Top247 by 247Sports for the 2021 class released just last week.
“It felt great to get ranked,” Del Rio said. “Everybody always assumed I was already a 4 or 5-star, so feels good to be able to say I am now.”
Del Rio’s goal is to have his decision made by the end of his junior season and it’s clear he’s looking for a program that is on the rise.
“Coaching, O-Line, receivers, depth chart… I want to play. I want a team going in the right direction and that I can help make a better team.”
