On Wednesday, 2020 Miramar (FL) 3-star safety Brian Balom fulfilled a childhood dream when he announced his commitment to the Miami Hurricanes. Balom told the UM coaches his intentions on Monday, and then went public with his commitment this morning.
“It felt like a dream come true,” Balom said. “Since I was a kid, I’ve been all about Miami. It just felt like it was destiny to be able to attend the University of Miami. I spoke with coach Banda and Diaz about committing and they were fired up. I’m still getting hit up by the UM staff congratulating me.”
The 6-0 180 pound prospect built up a strong relationship with safeties coach Ephraim Banda, but also felt the hometown draw that Miami offered.
“We created a good bond, he hits me up every other day just to see how things are going,” Balom said of Banda. “So, he played a part. I also wanted to be closer to my family.”
Balom earned his UM offer after impressing the coaching staff in-person at Paradise Camp in June, and, from that point forward, it seemed the Canes led over schools like West Virginia, Louisville, and Utah.
The Miramar star is the 24th commitment in the 2020 class and the 6th take at DB for the Canes.
“Banda sees me as a rover/free safety,” Balom said of his role in the defense. “I’m a physical safety who isn’t scared to hit and could also be a ballhawk. I am like a QB on defense. An aggressive and smart safety who isn’t scared to tackle and has the range to play sideline-to-sideline. If the ball is in the air, it’s mine.”
Balom took an official visit to Louisville a few weeks back, but has apparently seen all he's needed to see, adding that he's shutting his recruitment down and won't be taking visits to other schools. While he is still in the process of getting to know some of his future classmates personally, Balom has played against a few of them and has high hopes for Category20.
“I’ve played against some of them, guys such as Xavier Restrepo and Justin Hodges,” Balom said. “I feel we have a great class coming in.”
Even though he doesn’t have a specific player in mind that he’d like to add to the class, the Miramar star expects he will be helping out with UM’s recruiting efforts in the future.
“I will be trying from now on,” Balom said of recruiting other players.
What are his expectations for his first season at Miami?
"I hope to come in and be able to get the opportunity to play a little," Balom said. "I know it’s rare for a freshman to play early, but I know I’m going to grind to get as much reps as I can."
So far this season, Balom has 20 tackles and 2 interceptions for the 2-3 Miramar Patriots. At the Opening Miami Regional in February, Balom recorded a 4.63 40-yard dash, a 4.34 shuttle, and a 32.50 vertical leap.
“It felt like a dream come true,” Balom said. “Since I was a kid, I’ve been all about Miami. It just felt like it was destiny to be able to attend the University of Miami. I spoke with coach Banda and Diaz about committing and they were fired up. I’m still getting hit up by the UM staff congratulating me.”
The 6-0 180 pound prospect built up a strong relationship with safeties coach Ephraim Banda, but also felt the hometown draw that Miami offered.
“We created a good bond, he hits me up every other day just to see how things are going,” Balom said of Banda. “So, he played a part. I also wanted to be closer to my family.”
Balom earned his UM offer after impressing the coaching staff in-person at Paradise Camp in June, and, from that point forward, it seemed the Canes led over schools like West Virginia, Louisville, and Utah.
The Miramar star is the 24th commitment in the 2020 class and the 6th take at DB for the Canes.
“Banda sees me as a rover/free safety,” Balom said of his role in the defense. “I’m a physical safety who isn’t scared to hit and could also be a ballhawk. I am like a QB on defense. An aggressive and smart safety who isn’t scared to tackle and has the range to play sideline-to-sideline. If the ball is in the air, it’s mine.”
Balom took an official visit to Louisville a few weeks back, but has apparently seen all he's needed to see, adding that he's shutting his recruitment down and won't be taking visits to other schools. While he is still in the process of getting to know some of his future classmates personally, Balom has played against a few of them and has high hopes for Category20.
“I’ve played against some of them, guys such as Xavier Restrepo and Justin Hodges,” Balom said. “I feel we have a great class coming in.”
Even though he doesn’t have a specific player in mind that he’d like to add to the class, the Miramar star expects he will be helping out with UM’s recruiting efforts in the future.
“I will be trying from now on,” Balom said of recruiting other players.
What are his expectations for his first season at Miami?
"I hope to come in and be able to get the opportunity to play a little," Balom said. "I know it’s rare for a freshman to play early, but I know I’m going to grind to get as much reps as I can."
So far this season, Balom has 20 tackles and 2 interceptions for the 2-3 Miramar Patriots. At the Opening Miami Regional in February, Balom recorded a 4.63 40-yard dash, a 4.34 shuttle, and a 32.50 vertical leap.
