After landing UM offer, 4-star CB Royal plans fall visit

Aug 14, 2019

2020 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 4-star DB Jahvante Royal has been committed to Pitt for two months now, but his recruitment got a little more interesting recently when the local Miami Hurricanes extended an offer his way.

“It doesn’t really change my commitment, but I’m going to take a look at Miami and see what’s going on there to make sure I’m covering all my options,” Royal said.

Although recruiting sites list Royal as a safety, the UM coaching staff actually sees him as a corner at the next level. It seems cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph is already making an impression on the St. Thomas star.

“The coaching staff and coach Rumph is what has me interested in learning more about Miami,” Royal said.

What does he like about coach Rumph?

“He’s a cool guy, really cool guy,” Royal said. “He tells me that they really need me down there, so it feels good to know I’m a priority for them.”

Although he has no upcoming visits planned, Royal does expect that he will get down to Miami for a home game this fall. His last visit of the process came in late June on an official visit to Pitt, and he left campus committed to the Panthers.

“The coaching staff, the people up there, the vibe - it’s just the energy they give off felt like nowhere else I’ve been,” Royal said of why he committed to Pitt.

Royal’s main contact at Pitt has been DL coach Charlie Patridge, who recruits the South Florida area.

In lieu of taking many visits over the offseason, Royal has instead been putting in extra time working on improving his game at defensive back. The 6-3 185 pound prospect was mainly a WR in the past, but has focused on transitioning to DB full-time in the past year or so.

“I mean, coming from receiver and going to corner, I know what receivers do,” Royal said. “It’s not really that much harder, it’s just I have to learn the techniques and that’s it. I’m working on getting in and out of my breaks right now.”

After falling to Lakeland in the state title game last season, Royal feels like he and the rest of his Raider teammates are on the cusp of getting back to the championship in 2019.

“It’s always the same - high expectations, winning states, nothing less.”

At the Miami Opening Regional in February, Royal recorded a 4.64 40-yard dash 4.34 short shuttle, and a 34.40 inch vertical.

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A1cane

Aug 15, 2019

Kind of hard to see him in this class. We have Hodges, and clarke at CB. Francois and branch at safety. We aren't losing any one in the secondary besides knowles. If we take another db it should be at safety personally like balom alot for the last spot in the db room

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sigmar

Aug 15, 2019

And I really think it’s a nice service to the kids by Saint Thomas not to allow them to graduate in January. It puts them a spring practice behind most everyone else. It is one of the reasons they are transferring from Saint Thomas to other schools.

marshallrc13

Aug 15, 2019

allbouttheu2001 said:
What is with the low UM interest from St. Thomas players? I know the school has historically been a feeder school, but feel like that has changed. Especially after a bunch of kids transferred there after the rule change.

Feeder school for Ohio Taint.

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twes.305

Aug 15, 2019

A1cane said:
Kind of hard to see him in this class. We have Hodges, and clarke at CB. Francois and branch at safety. We aren't losing any one in the secondary besides knowles. If we take another db it should be at safety personally like balom alot for the last spot in the db room

We actually have will lose 2 safeties when all is said and done; Derrick Smith and Knowles.

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Jassid82

Aug 15, 2019

Anyone else concerned that we might be taking one too many "developmental" guys at CB this cycle? While I think Hodges and Clarke have starters upside..they will need at least 1-2 years to pop. (Clarke actually has star player upside) Even Royal looks like a guy who isn't an instant 2 deep guy.

Not sure if BGeorge is playing us or not but he should be the #1 CB target left on our big board if he isn't.

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twes.305

Aug 15, 2019

Jassid82 said:
Anyone else concerned that we might be taking one too many "developmental" guys at CB this cycle? While I think Hodges and Clarke have starters upside..they will need at least 1-2 years to pop. (Clarke actually has star player upside) Even Royal looks like a guy who isn't an instant 2 deep guy.

Not sure if BGeorge is playing us or not but he should be the #1 CB target left on our big board if he isn't.

No, because you will have Blades, Bandy, Ivey, and Couch will definitely be ready physically and technically for the 2020-21 season. Then you have the development of Christian Williams, who wouldn't surprise me if he took a big jump due to how our CB development has been under Rumph. That is 5 guys and can play in the 20-21 season and maybe 6 if the light comes on for Bethel. I understand what you are saying, but I trust Rumph and his coaching. I have high Hope's for Blades and Ivey this season, now if they do not perform well then I will be more worried like you.

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A1cane

Aug 15, 2019

twes.305 said:
We actually have will lose 2 safeties when all is said and done; Derrick Smith and Knowles.

True but still if u bring in Francois and branch that's ur replacement. I personally believe in recruiting u should replace what u lose and add 1. So getting balom, Francois, and branch to replace smith and knowles is the ideal situation imo

Aug 15, 2019

Jassid82 said:
Anyone else concerned that we might be taking one too many "developmental" guys at CB this cycle? While I think Hodges and Clarke have starters upside..they will need at least 1-2 years to pop. (Clarke actually has star player upside) Even Royal looks like a guy who isn't an instant 2 deep guy.

Not sure if BGeorge is playing us or not but he should be the #1 CB target left on our big board if he isn't.

I’m fine with taking a bunch of long defensive backs who run 4.6s with 33inch verticals because they will have five corners and four safeties in front of them with little chance of passing them up because of their talent. Additionally, there weren’t many high level defensive backs in our backyard this cycle.

To make it clear, I fully agree that we are taking developmental defensive backs but they all have good traits and will have experienced upperclassmen ahead of them.

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 15, 2019

Aug 15, 2019

skeeter said:
Sorry disagree...You can't tell me with 4 DB committed (5 if you count K-Wash, who may be a striker, and seems like a reach who COULD work his way out)...Tennison still being a top target (we won't talk about total long shots like Ricks who they would make room for)...That Royal is a take.

So in your opinion Kyle

Let's say those 5 stick (I think it's safe to say K-Wash may or may not)

How many more will they take (and in what order would they accept UM accept their commits), let's say for argument's sake Tennison to Auburn

Balom
Royal
B.George

It's gotta be only 1 spot right? 2 if K-Wash is pushed out?

We won’t push out K-Washington. He may flip to FSU though. Branch and Francois are two guys looking elsewhere as well, to a lesser extent. If balom doesn’t wait too long, I expect us to get him and another one more corner. Branch may end up at striker, corner, or safety - who knows.

Let’s wait and see on George. He should make a decision soon.

Royal is a take. You don’t offer a committed local kid from the most talented program in the country in late July for ***** and giggles

Last edited by a moderator: Aug 15, 2019

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skeeter

Aug 15, 2019

Kyle Liburd said:
We won’t push out K-Washington. He may flip to FSU though. If balom doesn’t wait too long, I expect us to get him and another one more corner. Branch may end up at striker, corner, or safety - who knows.

Let’s wait and see on George. He should make a decision soon.

Royal is a take. You don’t offer a committed local kid from the most talented program in the country in late July for ***** and giggles

We'll see...I can't see 6 + Washington, and I think 6 even without Washington is a stretch.

So you think all George, Balom, and Royal could commit to UM? Again is there a pecking order?

I think that's exactly what they did with Royal (***** and giggles AKA backup plan), same thing they did with Pough, for instance, with Poitier at WR...I'm not even sure how bad they want George? (I think they do, but kid was raving about UM and hasn't committed).

If you are talking 6, 7 db I think you are talking a class of 30 and I just don't think it's going to be that big.

Aug 15, 2019

skeeter said:
We'll see...I can't see 6 + Washington, and I think 6 even without Washington is a stretch.

So you think all George, Balom, and Royal could commit to UM? Again is there a pecking order?

I think that's exactly what they did with Royal (***** and giggles AKA backup plan), same thing they did with Pough, for instance, with Poitier at WR...I'm not even sure how bad they want George? (I think they do, but kid was raving about UM and hasn't committed).

If you are talking 6, 7 db I think you are talking a class of 30 and I just don't think it's going to be that big.

It’s not the same thing they did with Poitier and Pough. Poitier was offered in late January before our wide receiver board settled. Same with Pough. Both were offered before spring game, summer camp, and 7on7 evaluations.

I have no idea about the pecking order of those kids but I’d assume Brian George is at top of the list based on when he was offered and how long we’ve been pursuing him.

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Jassid82

Aug 15, 2019

Wouldn't be mad at all if Washington flipped to FSU. Not a big fan of his. And like someone said, we can't push him out unfortunately. Bad for business locally. I was shocked when they pushed out Jason Munoz last year. It was deserved but shocking nonetheless.

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skeeter

Aug 15, 2019

Kyle Liburd said:
It’s not the same thing they did with Poitier and Pough. Poitier was offered in late January before our wide receiver board settled. Same with Pough. Both were offered before spring game, summer camp, and 7on7 evaluations.

I have no idea about the pecking order of those kids but I’d assume Brian George is at top of the list based on when he was offered and how long we’ve been pursuing him.

Agree to disagree

Aug 15, 2019

Gotta hope Washington flips. Kid is buns.

gogeta4

Aug 15, 2019

Another MCA kid that transferred to STA. He actually played with Huff at MCA.

HUGE UPSIDE CONSIDERING HE HAS ONLY PLAYED 1 YEAR OF DB.

I would consider him a s a take. I'm not sure why alot of yall ar ehigh on the juco kid George...considering those guys are always iffy to actually get into our school as their grades are typically iffy. I would like George but i wouldn thang my hat on a juco kid.

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jw410

Aug 15, 2019

Jassid82 said:
Anyone else concerned that we might be taking one too many "developmental" guys at CB this cycle? While I think Hodges and Clarke have starters upside..they will need at least 1-2 years to pop. (Clarke actually has star player upside) Even Royal looks like a guy who isn't an instant 2 deep guy.

Not sure if BGeorge is playing us or not but he should be the #1 CB target left on our big board if he isn't.

He is but favoring Auburn

S
skeeter

Aug 15, 2019

gogeta4 said:
Another MCA kid that transferred to STA. He actually played with Huff at MCA.

HUGE UPSIDE CONSIDERING HE HAS ONLY PLAYED 1 YEAR OF DB.

I would consider him a s a take. I'm not sure why alot of yall ar ehigh on the juco kid George...considering those guys are always iffy to actually get into our school as their grades are typically iffy. I would like George but i wouldn thang my hat on a juco kid.

I like both players to be honest, i just don't see Royal as a corner...Even when I factor in the fact he's raw and new to DB. Huge frame and just looks like he projects better elsewhere. Will gladly eat crow if I'm wrong as all 6'3 kids if, if fluid enough, to stay at corner, are more than welcome on my squad lol... Overall as a player I don't mind Royal wherever he ends up and think there's definitely upside there. It just seems the way his recruitment went, at a name brand school like STA...It seems that he is being recruited as a backup plan.

And there's always the Glades hit rate...Even though there is the juco factor here, glades kid just seldom bust.

Last edited: Aug 15, 2019

grover

Aug 15, 2019

Take Balom plus the first CB to commit and make Washington to striker official.

FrancisSawyer

Aug 16, 2019

Liberty City El said:
Definitely need to keep in contact with this kid & work a potential flip. We need at least 2 more DB's in this class imo & Royal could be one of them, I def don't see him sticking with Pitt all year.

At CB, Brian George should be at the top of the board imo, followed by trying to flip Jalen Harrell even though he probably won't (but you get'em to take an OV & see what happens).

At Safety, Balom will be in this class & I would go after another one as well.

The main priority is keeping Francois & Branch committed, but in the event they don't, have contingency plans in order so we're not left scrambling late.

Plus never forget, there's going to be prospects that suddenly come available later in the year once crootin' season starts in Dec-Jan, so you have to always to be aggressive & continue recruit heavy.

Agreed. I certainly do not see Royal as a backup plan. Kids that are 6'3" 185 and run 4.6 40s with 4.34 shuttle and a 34" vert with CB skills don't exactly grow on trees. A CB haul of Hodges, Clarke, Royal and George would be impressive considering what a down year it was for CBs.

At Safety the addition of Balom would have me grinning from ear to ear so I was very happy when you said he would be in this class. Defending against teams trying to poach Francios is definitely of the highest priority. I'm not familiar with Branch's game so I'll take your word that we must keep him. Curious to know what your take is on Washington and if you think he will be in this class.

Also do you know if Branch is being looked at as a Striker or traditional Safety? Regardless, we are very close to having elite talent and depth at Safety.

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305407cane

Aug 16, 2019

FrancisSaywer said:
Agreed. I certainly do not see Royal as a backup plan. Kids that are 6'3" 185 and run 4.6 40s with 4.34 shuttle and a 34" vert with CB skills don't exactly grow on trees. A CB haul of Hodges, Clarke, Royal and George would be impressive considering what a down year it was for CBs.

At Safety the addition of Balom would have me grinning from ear to ear so I was very happy when you said he would be in this class. Defending against teams trying to poach Francios is definitely of the highest priority. I'm not familiar with Branch's game so I'll take your word that we must keep him. Curious to know what your take is on Washington and if you think he will be in this class.

Also do you know if Branch is being looked at as a Striker or traditional Safety? Regardless, we are very close to having elite talent and depth at Safety.

Don’t think we take four corners. But who knows. I certainly don’t. I’d like to add balom and that be the safety haul. Branch could be a corner or a safety and I don’t think he’s a striker. I think Washington will be in the class