2020 Champagnat Catholic (FL) S Jalen Harrell committed to the Miami Hurricanes over the holiday weekend.
The 6-2, 180-pounder is currently a consensus 4-star in the national rankings. According to the 247Composite, Harrell is the #232 player nationally, the #23 S in the country, and the #38 player in the state of Florida. His commitment keeps Miami’s 2020 class ranking to #14 on 247Sports and #12 on Rivals.
The Player
Harrell originally surprised some by committing to FSU in the spring soon after a visit to Tallahassee, as many felt Miami led after he showed up on UM’s campus multiple times in early 2019. Miami picked back up contact with him in late summer/early fall and continued to push Harrell for a commitment. When he decommitted from the Noles in October, the writing was on the wall, and he followed that up with a great official visit for UM’s dominating win over Louisville last month. A long-time relationship with coach Ephraim Banda and having a family full of Miami fans ultimately worked in the Canes’ favor and helped UM lock up Harrell. Harrell only took one other official visit, to Georgia Tech, which came a few weeks back, but he has apparently seen all he's needed to see at this point. He is UM’s first recruit from Champagnat Catholic since DE Gregory Rousseau in the 2018 class.
On film, Harrell shows he is elite in run support and shows very good tackling form. Comfortable working in the box and cleaning up plays at the second level. Demonstrates great closing burst to make a play on the ball. Launches himself like a projectile at his target and is a devastating hitter. Physical DB that loves to play press-man and bump and run. Works his off-hand well. Shows good pattern recognition and instincts that help him shut down yards after catch. Versatile defender you can move around to many areas of the field. Right now, it seems Miami wants him at safety, but with his build and run-instincts, Harrell could certainly roll down into the box and be a dangerous striker down the line.
In 9 games this season, Harrell has totaled 48 tackles, one PBU, an interception for a TD, and a forced fumble.
The Class
Harrell was the 21st commitment in the 2020 class and the 3rd take at safety for the Canes. Along with South Dade 3-star Keshawn Washington, Miramar 3-star Brian Balom is also a part of Category20. Three guys at this spot would be enough in most years, but it is almost certain at least one player in this group eventually moves down to striker and Miami has also struggled with their numbers here for years now. Therefore, there is still another spot available, a space UM seems to have reserved for a two-time former commitment in South Dade 4-star Jaiden Francois.
Things are still trending positively between Miami and Francois. Heading into the final 2 weeks before the early signing period and Francois set to be an early enrollee, the only officials he’s set up are to Nebraska last month, Indiana this weekend, and Miami on December 13th weekend. Add to the fact that Francois has been telling people close to him that he prefers to sign with the Hurricanes, and it’s looking more and more favorable that UM pulls off the rare hat trick with Francois and gets him to commit a third time.
The Team
By the time Harrell hits campus in 2020, Miami will have four returning safeties on campus in seniors Amari Carter, juniors Gurvan Hall and Bubba Bolden, and redshirt freshman Keontra Smith. While that seems like a solid group talent-wise, we have yet to see any of them consistently play at a high-level at Miami. Therefore, in theory, there is plenty of playing time available for a freshman if Harrell impresses the staff right out of the gate. If he really wants to get immediate playing time, there will certainly be an opportunity to impress the staff at the striker position with Romeo Finley graduating and only Gilbert Frierson left at the spot. More likely than not, though, Harrell will take an apprentice role as a freshman at UM, and could see the field at nickel, backup striker, or other special packages. After Carter leaves, there will be that much more playing time available in the safety rotation in the 2021 season if Harrell sticks there. With his ability, there’s no reason Harrell shouldn’t be contributing by then, and potentially pushing for a starting role in the defensive backfield by the time he’s an upperclassman.
The 6-2, 180-pounder is currently a consensus 4-star in the national rankings. According to the 247Composite, Harrell is the #232 player nationally, the #23 S in the country, and the #38 player in the state of Florida. His commitment keeps Miami’s 2020 class ranking to #14 on 247Sports and #12 on Rivals.
The Player
Harrell originally surprised some by committing to FSU in the spring soon after a visit to Tallahassee, as many felt Miami led after he showed up on UM’s campus multiple times in early 2019. Miami picked back up contact with him in late summer/early fall and continued to push Harrell for a commitment. When he decommitted from the Noles in October, the writing was on the wall, and he followed that up with a great official visit for UM’s dominating win over Louisville last month. A long-time relationship with coach Ephraim Banda and having a family full of Miami fans ultimately worked in the Canes’ favor and helped UM lock up Harrell. Harrell only took one other official visit, to Georgia Tech, which came a few weeks back, but he has apparently seen all he's needed to see at this point. He is UM’s first recruit from Champagnat Catholic since DE Gregory Rousseau in the 2018 class.
On film, Harrell shows he is elite in run support and shows very good tackling form. Comfortable working in the box and cleaning up plays at the second level. Demonstrates great closing burst to make a play on the ball. Launches himself like a projectile at his target and is a devastating hitter. Physical DB that loves to play press-man and bump and run. Works his off-hand well. Shows good pattern recognition and instincts that help him shut down yards after catch. Versatile defender you can move around to many areas of the field. Right now, it seems Miami wants him at safety, but with his build and run-instincts, Harrell could certainly roll down into the box and be a dangerous striker down the line.
In 9 games this season, Harrell has totaled 48 tackles, one PBU, an interception for a TD, and a forced fumble.
The Class
Harrell was the 21st commitment in the 2020 class and the 3rd take at safety for the Canes. Along with South Dade 3-star Keshawn Washington, Miramar 3-star Brian Balom is also a part of Category20. Three guys at this spot would be enough in most years, but it is almost certain at least one player in this group eventually moves down to striker and Miami has also struggled with their numbers here for years now. Therefore, there is still another spot available, a space UM seems to have reserved for a two-time former commitment in South Dade 4-star Jaiden Francois.
Things are still trending positively between Miami and Francois. Heading into the final 2 weeks before the early signing period and Francois set to be an early enrollee, the only officials he’s set up are to Nebraska last month, Indiana this weekend, and Miami on December 13th weekend. Add to the fact that Francois has been telling people close to him that he prefers to sign with the Hurricanes, and it’s looking more and more favorable that UM pulls off the rare hat trick with Francois and gets him to commit a third time.
The Team
By the time Harrell hits campus in 2020, Miami will have four returning safeties on campus in seniors Amari Carter, juniors Gurvan Hall and Bubba Bolden, and redshirt freshman Keontra Smith. While that seems like a solid group talent-wise, we have yet to see any of them consistently play at a high-level at Miami. Therefore, in theory, there is plenty of playing time available for a freshman if Harrell impresses the staff right out of the gate. If he really wants to get immediate playing time, there will certainly be an opportunity to impress the staff at the striker position with Romeo Finley graduating and only Gilbert Frierson left at the spot. More likely than not, though, Harrell will take an apprentice role as a freshman at UM, and could see the field at nickel, backup striker, or other special packages. After Carter leaves, there will be that much more playing time available in the safety rotation in the 2021 season if Harrell sticks there. With his ability, there’s no reason Harrell shouldn’t be contributing by then, and potentially pushing for a starting role in the defensive backfield by the time he’s an upperclassman.
