The last time Miami signed the top ballhawk in South Florida, Kam Kinchens developed into an All-American. The Canes hope to repeat history with blue-chip S Bryce Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald picked off 6 passes a sophomore for Belen Jesuit and led the school to their first ever state title in basketball averaging 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals. As a junior, he grabbed 10 INTs for his new school, Columbus. Mario Cristobal, himself a Columbus alum, hopes to close Fitzgerald on his June 21 official visit. We caught up with Fitzgerald and got the latest on his recruitment:
Who impressed you at Under Armour Camp?
“Winston Watkins (First Baptist Academy/Naples), Cortez Mills (Homestead) and Naeshaun Montgomery (Central).”
What are the advantages of playing both wide receiver and safety?
“Really, a lot of people in high school, they have the same hand signals. So looking at the quarterback, giving the receiver a signal, I basically know what it is”
Where are you at in your recruiting process?
“I’'m really trying to wait my options out, but Miami is definitely one of my top options.”
Who do you talk to the most at Miami?
“Coach Cristobal, Coach Jackson and Coach Guidry.”
What would playing at home mean to your family?
“To my family, it'll be the dream come true. I get to come home to them every weekend and spend time with them.”
How is it like being recruited by a Columbus grad?
“It's actually pretty cool to me, because every time I see them, they just throw up the C.”
Do you have a relationship with new Miami DB coach Chevis Jackson?
“Yes, I had a relationship when he was at Marshall. So him coming to Miami is just even better. It's even closer now. “
Who else is involved in your recruitment?
“FSU (no official yet), Florida Gators (June 14th), and USC (June 7th).”
How does your basketball background translate to football?
“To me, it actually helps because it helped my vertical and my ball skills. So I actually transitioned those skills.”
