With the Miami Hurricanes only taking 2 offensive linemen in the early signing period for the 2020 class, it was inevitable that the board would expand a such a position of intense need. After UM re-evaluated some options among unsigned talent on the OL, the first new offer at the position went to St. Paul’s Episcopal (AL) 3-star OT Brady Ward over the weekend.
“I found out about the offer from my high school coach. He told me how bad they wanted me and felt I could come in and play,” Ward said. “It was great getting the offer. I've followed Miami. They have a history of National Championships and they send a ton of guys to the Senior Bowl each year.”
With the second and final signing day fast-approaching in less than 2 months, things will have to move quickly between the parties, which is why Ward is already closing in on finalizing a date for an official visit to Coral Gables next month.
“I plan on taking an official on the 17th (of January),” Ward said of a UM trip. “That is the plan right now. That is the date my family and the coaches discussed and they were waiting on coach (Manny) Diaz to finalize the date. As of now, they told me to put the 17th down.”
Of course, news broke late last week that the Canes had fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos, leaving UM without a clear leader on the offensive side of the ball. According to Ward, though, the Miami staff pitched a clear vision to him on what they were planning for the offense to look like next season.
“They didn't know who coach Diaz was hiring but they knew what he was looking for in a guy,” Ward said. “They just said it would be wide open, spread and quick stuff, that if you watch LSU, OU, Clemson and others, the ball gets out of the QB's hands fast, so linemen don't have to hold blocks as long. There are less sacks and it opens the run game too.”
Ultimately, Ward has a list of reasons why Miami will be a factor in his recruitment heading down the stretch.
“It's the U. It's a national powerhouse with an O-Line coach that has an NFL background,” Ward said. “It's also a small private school and it is a phenomenal university with great facilities.”
Ward has long been a prospect of interest for high Power 5 programs, as he landed offers from Alabama, UF, Oklahoma, LSU, and Tennessee among others early in the process. However, once he elected to bypass signing early, Ward became a target for many other schools looking to fill a hole on their offensive line.
“Texas A&M, Arizona State, and a bunch of others want me to visit, from Iowa State to NC State. I got slammed with messages when I didn't sign in the early period,” Ward said. “I don't have a leader, but I would say I’m considering Texas A&M, Miami, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa State, Baylor, and NC State, and I am also talking to a bunch of others that are new that could jump in.”
Ward has already taken his first official visit to Arkansas in November, and, along with his planned Miami official in January, will try and take as many officials as he can next month before making his decision.
“I don't have a timetable. Just looking for the right fit for me,” Ward said. “The system, an O-Line coach that knows how to develop me, strength program, nutrition and academics are all factors for what I am looking for… distance is not a factor in where I am going.”
With a dead period currently in effect, Ward is using the down time to compete at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and checked into the event yesterday. After a week of practices, the game will take place on Saturday, January 4th.
“I was 6-7, 300 at the All-American game check-in,” Ward said. “Some people have me at 6-8, some at 6-7. It usually depends on how tall the guy is measuring so he can reach up there and measure. The competition is tough (at the game) this year.”
As a senior in 2019, Ward helped St. Paul’s to an 8-4 record in their first season after moving up to a tougher level of competition.
“The year went really good. We are a 4A school playing 6A because we won 3 out of 4 state championships at the 4A level,” Ward said. “This year, we won the school’s 1st playoff game in 6A. Just got outmanned at the skill spots in the 2nd round. I performed well, but I should have. I was a senior and larger than everyone I played.”
“I found out about the offer from my high school coach. He told me how bad they wanted me and felt I could come in and play,” Ward said. “It was great getting the offer. I've followed Miami. They have a history of National Championships and they send a ton of guys to the Senior Bowl each year.”
With the second and final signing day fast-approaching in less than 2 months, things will have to move quickly between the parties, which is why Ward is already closing in on finalizing a date for an official visit to Coral Gables next month.
“I plan on taking an official on the 17th (of January),” Ward said of a UM trip. “That is the plan right now. That is the date my family and the coaches discussed and they were waiting on coach (Manny) Diaz to finalize the date. As of now, they told me to put the 17th down.”
Of course, news broke late last week that the Canes had fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos, leaving UM without a clear leader on the offensive side of the ball. According to Ward, though, the Miami staff pitched a clear vision to him on what they were planning for the offense to look like next season.
“They didn't know who coach Diaz was hiring but they knew what he was looking for in a guy,” Ward said. “They just said it would be wide open, spread and quick stuff, that if you watch LSU, OU, Clemson and others, the ball gets out of the QB's hands fast, so linemen don't have to hold blocks as long. There are less sacks and it opens the run game too.”
Ultimately, Ward has a list of reasons why Miami will be a factor in his recruitment heading down the stretch.
“It's the U. It's a national powerhouse with an O-Line coach that has an NFL background,” Ward said. “It's also a small private school and it is a phenomenal university with great facilities.”
Ward has long been a prospect of interest for high Power 5 programs, as he landed offers from Alabama, UF, Oklahoma, LSU, and Tennessee among others early in the process. However, once he elected to bypass signing early, Ward became a target for many other schools looking to fill a hole on their offensive line.
“Texas A&M, Arizona State, and a bunch of others want me to visit, from Iowa State to NC State. I got slammed with messages when I didn't sign in the early period,” Ward said. “I don't have a leader, but I would say I’m considering Texas A&M, Miami, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa State, Baylor, and NC State, and I am also talking to a bunch of others that are new that could jump in.”
Ward has already taken his first official visit to Arkansas in November, and, along with his planned Miami official in January, will try and take as many officials as he can next month before making his decision.
“I don't have a timetable. Just looking for the right fit for me,” Ward said. “The system, an O-Line coach that knows how to develop me, strength program, nutrition and academics are all factors for what I am looking for… distance is not a factor in where I am going.”
With a dead period currently in effect, Ward is using the down time to compete at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and checked into the event yesterday. After a week of practices, the game will take place on Saturday, January 4th.
“I was 6-7, 300 at the All-American game check-in,” Ward said. “Some people have me at 6-8, some at 6-7. It usually depends on how tall the guy is measuring so he can reach up there and measure. The competition is tough (at the game) this year.”
As a senior in 2019, Ward helped St. Paul’s to an 8-4 record in their first season after moving up to a tougher level of competition.
“The year went really good. We are a 4A school playing 6A because we won 3 out of 4 state championships at the 4A level,” Ward said. “This year, we won the school’s 1st playoff game in 6A. Just got outmanned at the skill spots in the 2nd round. I performed well, but I should have. I was a senior and larger than everyone I played.”
