While many have seen the quarantine going on over the past few weeks as a negative in the recruiting world, 2021 University School (FL) 3-star CB Ricardo Hallman says he’s seen the lockdowns as a benefit to his process.
“I don’t mind it,” Hallman said of the shutdowns. “A couple visits I wanted to go on in spring got shutdown, but it’s given me a chance to build relationships with more coaches and get closer to them.”
One of those relationships that have flourished for Hallman? That would be his connection with Miami Hurricanes cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph, who has kept in constant contact with the U-School star through the quarantine.
“Things with Miami have been going good,” Hallman said. “Especially with the quarantine happening now, I’m able to talk a lot more with coach Rumph and we’ve been building a good relationship.
“We were able to get on the phone yesterday. We talked about family and we talked about the draft for a while, just talking about the corners coming out, the whole scheme Miami runs, the players, and the environment of Miami.”
The 6-0 185 pound prospect also has a family connection to the Hurricanes – Hallman is cousins with redshirt sophomore striker Gilbert Frierson.
“He’s not trying to recruit me, but I’ve been talking to him about Miami recently,” Hallman said of Frierson. “He just says he’s not going to tell me where to go, but he knows I love Miami and Miami loves me. He said it’s everything you’d want for a college.”
With his spring visit slate cancelled, Hallman says he plans on making up those trips whenever the campuses open up again, but that he’s not going to rush a decision due to all the uncertainty.
“I was actually going to see Miami, coach Rumph sent me the spring schedule and I was about to go up there to watch a practice,” Hallman said. “I was also going to go to Louisville, Wisconsin, and Ole Miss.
“I think I’m at a point where I know I want to get up to a few schools when all this is over, and then I want to make a decision sometime after that. But I wouldn’t say I’m close to a decision right now, due to the fact I can’t get up to see the schools yet.”
Michigan was originally a school that Hallman told CIS was a co-leader for him back in December along with the Canes, but Hallman says the Wolverines have fallen off a bit at this point.
“I’m not as high on them anymore, but I’m still good with them,” Hallman said of Michigan. “I wouldn’t say Miami is my leader now, but they are definitely high up. I’d just prefer to keep things open right now.”
Hallman does expect to narrow down his list soon, though, and focus on the schools that can best fit what he’s looking for in a college program.
“That’s probably something I’ll do, make a top 3 or 4 or something like that,” Hallman said. “I can’t give an exact date yet, but it will be sometime in the near future.”
During his junior season, Hallman helped University School to an 8-3 record, but the Sharks fell in the playoffs to Cardinal Gibbons. Hallman certainly did his part make the 2019 season a success, landing on first team All-Broward after recording 8 interceptions, 20 solo tackles, and 5 PBU’s on the year.
“My mindset I bring to the field is like a dog mentality,” Hallman said. “When I line up in front of a receiver, my mindset is ‘I’m not going to let you beat me.’ My mindset is to shut you down the whole game.
“I feel like, as a corner, I can play any coverage that you want me to – man, cover 2, cover 4, off-man, press-man – it doesn’t matter to me. I feel like my ball skills are really good, I’m really high on my ball skills. If the ball is anywhere in my area, it’s definitely coming down with me, it’s not going into the hands of the receiver. I feel like I have good technique and I’m very patient.”
“I don’t mind it,” Hallman said of the shutdowns. “A couple visits I wanted to go on in spring got shutdown, but it’s given me a chance to build relationships with more coaches and get closer to them.”
One of those relationships that have flourished for Hallman? That would be his connection with Miami Hurricanes cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph, who has kept in constant contact with the U-School star through the quarantine.
“Things with Miami have been going good,” Hallman said. “Especially with the quarantine happening now, I’m able to talk a lot more with coach Rumph and we’ve been building a good relationship.
“We were able to get on the phone yesterday. We talked about family and we talked about the draft for a while, just talking about the corners coming out, the whole scheme Miami runs, the players, and the environment of Miami.”
The 6-0 185 pound prospect also has a family connection to the Hurricanes – Hallman is cousins with redshirt sophomore striker Gilbert Frierson.
“He’s not trying to recruit me, but I’ve been talking to him about Miami recently,” Hallman said of Frierson. “He just says he’s not going to tell me where to go, but he knows I love Miami and Miami loves me. He said it’s everything you’d want for a college.”
With his spring visit slate cancelled, Hallman says he plans on making up those trips whenever the campuses open up again, but that he’s not going to rush a decision due to all the uncertainty.
“I was actually going to see Miami, coach Rumph sent me the spring schedule and I was about to go up there to watch a practice,” Hallman said. “I was also going to go to Louisville, Wisconsin, and Ole Miss.
“I think I’m at a point where I know I want to get up to a few schools when all this is over, and then I want to make a decision sometime after that. But I wouldn’t say I’m close to a decision right now, due to the fact I can’t get up to see the schools yet.”
Michigan was originally a school that Hallman told CIS was a co-leader for him back in December along with the Canes, but Hallman says the Wolverines have fallen off a bit at this point.
“I’m not as high on them anymore, but I’m still good with them,” Hallman said of Michigan. “I wouldn’t say Miami is my leader now, but they are definitely high up. I’d just prefer to keep things open right now.”
Hallman does expect to narrow down his list soon, though, and focus on the schools that can best fit what he’s looking for in a college program.
“That’s probably something I’ll do, make a top 3 or 4 or something like that,” Hallman said. “I can’t give an exact date yet, but it will be sometime in the near future.”
During his junior season, Hallman helped University School to an 8-3 record, but the Sharks fell in the playoffs to Cardinal Gibbons. Hallman certainly did his part make the 2019 season a success, landing on first team All-Broward after recording 8 interceptions, 20 solo tackles, and 5 PBU’s on the year.
“My mindset I bring to the field is like a dog mentality,” Hallman said. “When I line up in front of a receiver, my mindset is ‘I’m not going to let you beat me.’ My mindset is to shut you down the whole game.
“I feel like, as a corner, I can play any coverage that you want me to – man, cover 2, cover 4, off-man, press-man – it doesn’t matter to me. I feel like my ball skills are really good, I’m really high on my ball skills. If the ball is anywhere in my area, it’s definitely coming down with me, it’s not going into the hands of the receiver. I feel like I have good technique and I’m very patient.”
