Dade vs. Florida Game Notes

Dade vs. Florida Game Notes

Peter Ariz
Peter Ariz
It was all Dade county on Saturday night, as they defeated the Florida all-stars 39-9. There were a few Miami targets that played in the game and that includes Keith Bryant, Jamal Carter, and Denver Kirkland.

-Let's take a one-by-one look at how each of the Miami targets performed:

Keith Bryant: It's tough to accurately judge Bryant off of the all-star game setting because he was being rotated out so much, but quite frankly he was not spectacular when he was in. Something that is a bit alarming with Bryant is his weight. He needs to drop a lot of it in order to make an impact early in his college career. With this bad weight, it seems like Bryant has lost that deadly quick first step that made him the prospect he is today. As long as he focuses on getting himself in shape, he should be fine. But that really needs to be the focal point for him in the months leading up to enrolling in whatever school he chooses.

Jamal Carter: Carter's versatility was on display tonight as he was being used in a multitude of ways. On many occasions, he was playing in the box or covering the slot man, which is a remarkable task for somebody his size. Physically, Carter is ready for college right now and there's no debate about that. He was also playing some deep safety, but I loved seeing him play near the line and that could be his role early in his college career. This is the type of athlete that you see playing in Alabama's defensive backfield.

Denver Kirkland: Kirkland had one of the most impressive performances on the field, which is saying something for an offensive lineman. He was absolutely manhandling the opposition, which was very good competition, and had multiple pancake blocks throughout the night. I still think his future is at guard, but he is definitely athletic enough to play tackle.

-Some notes on non-Miami targets....

**Miami Northwestern's Marquiese Blanchard was arguably the best defensive player in South Florida this year. At 6'2", 245 he is an absolute terror on the defensive line. His quickness off the ball is incredible and he is relentless. He had a sack tonight. I spoke with Blanchard after the game and he only has one offer, Jackson State, which is ridiculous in my opinion. I also spoke with his Head Coach at Northwestern, Stephen Field, who told me that he really has no clue why schools are staying away from him, but that he is upset that Miami hasn't even taken a look at him. And just to clear anything up, Field has a good relationship with the Miami staff, so don't take that previous comment as Field not getting along with the Miami staff or something like that. Obviously it's an extreme long shot anything happens with him and Miami, but I encourage you to take a look at Blanchard's senior highlights right here: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1511504/marquiese-blanchard

**Carol City QB Akeem Jones looked really solid during the game. He has good size, athleticism , and arm strength and he will be lethal in a spread offense. I spoke with him after the game and Marshall seems to be the favorite. Clemson has also been in contact with him so there might be a chance at a late offer. He would be a great fit at Marshall.

**Southridge DB Lamar Robbins (6'3", 175) is a very intriguing prospect. He has incredible size and nice speed along with good ball skills. He was playing corner tonight and intercepted a pass, while dropping another one. Robbins is close to a decision with Oklahoma and West Virginia near the top of his list.

**Another impressive prospect I had a chance to interview was North Miami's Troy McCollum. McCollum is a 6' CB with long arms and good speed. In my opinion, he would have had a Miami offer in last year's class. McCollum was committed to FIU before Mario Cristobal was fired and he is now looking at Indiana as his top choice.

**Something funny I heard on the sidelines after the Dade team's 2nd touchdown of the game: Luther Campbell, who was coaching linebackers, turned to some coaches and said, "This is like abuse out there." Uncle Luke showing some old school Miami attitude.
 

Comments (57)

That Keith Bryant stuff wreaks of a dude who has gotten happy with his self. Finna get a dose of reality up at Army week though.
 
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Lol yea Uncle Luke had a tweet about Blanchard....****ed off at us for not offering him
 
It would not hurt my feelings if tice ended up here if Collins goes elsewhere.
 
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6" corner? Honey I shrunk our DBs



I kid. Keep making us better informed Pete
 
Blanchards highlights are very impressive - there must be more to his lack of recruitment by the big boys than meets the eye.

Miami DE's lacked the quickness off the ball - exactly what this kid brings to the table. We don't land AQM or Williams at DE I would give him a hard look.
 
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Listen if UM, FIU, FAU, UCF, USF, FSU( who is giving scholarships to waterboys), marshall ( who will take anyone who can spell thier name), and louisville (we live in the 305, but don't pay rent) are all taking a pass on the young man means either severe academic, criminal, or character issues with this young man.

Especially with UM's pass rushing needs no way you take the jyco kid bonds over this blancherd kid.

**** even randy at TCU didn't offer the kid, and we know how he loves his MNW kids.

Also the coaches at MNW knows about UM academics and character standards (especially with what just happened with laptop gate AG is not taking chances). The coaches at MNW if they really want to help this young should work with UM to get him into prep school at milford or hargrave then back to UM for 2014 class.

Go Canes
 
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Jamal Carter and Deon Bush...Good Lord is that gonna be fun
 
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- I'll echo what Pete said- Blanchard is a plain stud and was one of the best players out there last night. Every time we've seen him he has balled out. He went both ways for Northwestern, too. FIU should have offered him yesterday, along with bigger schools.

- Jamal Carter didn't get too much action but he impresses just by walking around. This was my first time seeing him and he is just ridiculously big and athletic. The role he was playing was similar to what Antrel Rolle does for the Giants. I could see him playing a similar role here. It was crazy seeing him stand next to Michael Johnson, FSU's safety commit from Booker T. The FSU commit looked like a baby next to him, and isn't half the athlete either.

- Keith Bryant needs to lose some weight. The rotations were too weird for me to pass any judgment, though. Looking forward to hearing how he does in All-Star practices.

- Dade's QBs were the difference in the game. Akeem Jones is one of the most underrated players in the state.

- Denver Kirkland gets mixed reviews on this board, but he's always looked like a blue-chip stud to me. He's a better pass blocker than run blocker right now- his arms are so long and his hands are so strong that once he extends, its over. He had almost ten pancakes purely in pass protection, which shows how dominant he was competing against All-County athletes. He leans a bit as a run blocker and needs to lose weight, but he is a tremendous talent and IMO projects as a right tackle (not guard) once he loses some weight.

- Darius Tice made a sweet one-handed catch on a throw behind him and scored two touchdowns. He belongs in a BCS conference.
 
- I'll echo what Pete said- Blanchard is a plain stud and was one of the best players out there last night. Every time we've seen him he has balled out. He went both ways for Northwestern, too. FIU should have offered him yesterday, along with bigger schools.

- Jamal Carter didn't get too much action but he impresses just by walking around. This was my first time seeing him and he is just ridiculously big and athletic. The role he was playing was similar to what Antrel Rolle does for the Giants. I could see him playing a similar role here. It was crazy seeing him stand next to Michael Johnson, FSU's safety commit from Booker T. The FSU commit looked like a baby next to him, and isn't half the athlete either.

- Keith Bryant needs to lose some weight. The rotations were too weird for me to pass any judgment, though. Looking forward to hearing how he does in All-Star practices.

- Dade's QBs were the difference in the game. Akeem Jones is one of the most underrated players in the state.

- Denver Kirkland gets mixed reviews on this board, but he's always looked like a blue-chip stud to me. He's a better pass blocker than run blocker right now- his arms are so long and his hands are so strong that once he extends, its over. He had almost ten pancakes purely in pass protection, which shows how dominant he was competing against All-County athletes. He leans a bit as a run blocker and needs to lose weight, but he is a tremendous talent and IMO projects as a right tackle (not guard) once he loses some weight.

- Darius Tice made a sweet one-handed catch on a throw behind him and scored two touchdowns. He belongs in a BCS conference.

I think Kirkland is as good an OG prospect as we've brought in in a decade. Right there with BW. Probably better, IMO, but he needs to control his weight.
 
Whats up with Lamar Robbins? Why hasn't UM shown much interest?
 
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