This is the Year of the Trenches. The Miami Under Armour Camp was loaded, even with most of the top WRs and DBs missing the event for 7-on-7s. Five campers received invites to the UA game, which is a national record. Much of the talent comes from the offensive and defensive lines.
Marcus Tate remains the best prospect in South Florida. The LT from U-School won reps with ease and showcased easy athleticism. The camp ended with the big boys competing in the 3-cone drill. Tate edged out Michael McClaughlin, then smoked DE Shemar Stewart before narrowly losing to Dallas Turner in the Finals. He even somersaulted across the finish line.
Laurence Seymore was dominant as usual. He is short but has elite punch and an immovable base. The only guy who knocked him more than a foot backwards was Chaminade DT Allan Haye. Elite interior prospect who can play at any school in the country.
There were five players invited to the UA game: Seymore, Jacolby George, Kevin Knowles, Savion Collins and Jaydon Hood. All deserved it. But nobody had a better day than Columbus OG Ryan Rodriguez. He dominated every rep, including Gator commit DL Tyreak Sapp. His technique stands out, but he’s bigger than you’d think and looked fairly athletic during testing. He also carries himself like a big-time player and commands respect from his peers.
Michael McLaughlin (Douglas) took a step back after a solid Rivals camp. It seemed he was playing tight and thinking too much, which slowed him down. He is still refining his technique as a relative newcomer to OL. He’s headed for a redshirt at Miami.
Palmetto’s DT duo is as advertised. Leonard Taylor is a trained martial artist who wins reps easily with hands. True five star. Savion Collins has gotten noticeably better since last year. He’s always had straight-line power and speed, but now he’s starting to play with more functional athleticism and awareness. It makes sense considering he hasn’t played football very long.
Tarvarish Dawson (Lehigh) worked out at WR and was two steps faster than every player on the field. The 10.58 speed translates. Only question with him is WR vs. CB.
Dallas Turner (STA) is an athlete who looks to be only scratching the surface. Expect him to commit to a school like Bama or Georgia where he can play his natural role as a 3-4 LB. Don’t know if he’s big enough to thrive as a down lineman.
Jacory Hammett (Northwestern) is the only guy I saw win a rep against Tate. I spoke to his mother, who was very cool and knew a lot about football (she compared Seymore to a smaller Carlos Joseph). She confirmed Miami is recruiting Hammett as a Sam Brooks-type linebacker, but noted he is only 16 and comes from a family of 6’4-6’5 men.
Thad Franklin (Chaminade) is a legit 225 pounds right now and still looks lean. He had a tight hamstring so he never left cruise control, but he's smooth as a receiver and plucked catches away from his body in traffic.
Jaydon Hood (STA) did the best job covering Franklin at LB, including nice work on a wheel route. What he lacks in length, he makes up for in pure speed and awareness.
With most of the top WRs absent, Quincy Skinner (STA) stood out. He has a college-ready body and should be one of the top testers at the Opening combine. He’s still smoothing out the edges as a receiver and had a bad drop after smoking a DB deep. But the tools are high-level.
There were three players that I hope Miami evaluates closely in spring and the summer camps. Kareem Harden (OT from Stranahan) has a great frame with very little bad weight and moves naturally. Still raw at OL but good tools to work with.
Demetrius Hill (CB from Miami Springs) continues to impress as a well-built, 6’2 corner with footwork. Hayward McQueen is built like a safety but has a unique combination of pass rush, coverage and sideline-to-sideline tackling.
One lower-level prospect who needs more attention is Jayden Corbett, 6’3 WR/DB from Manatee. He stands out with his size and speed. Emile Aime (U-School) is a stout, 5’9 LB with great speed and playmaking in coverage. Antonio Johnson (STA) gives the Raiders yet another weapon as a power forward playing tight end.
This is a great local class and Miami is in the mix for some excellent players. We need to win.
Marcus Tate remains the best prospect in South Florida. The LT from U-School won reps with ease and showcased easy athleticism. The camp ended with the big boys competing in the 3-cone drill. Tate edged out Michael McClaughlin, then smoked DE Shemar Stewart before narrowly losing to Dallas Turner in the Finals. He even somersaulted across the finish line.
Laurence Seymore was dominant as usual. He is short but has elite punch and an immovable base. The only guy who knocked him more than a foot backwards was Chaminade DT Allan Haye. Elite interior prospect who can play at any school in the country.
There were five players invited to the UA game: Seymore, Jacolby George, Kevin Knowles, Savion Collins and Jaydon Hood. All deserved it. But nobody had a better day than Columbus OG Ryan Rodriguez. He dominated every rep, including Gator commit DL Tyreak Sapp. His technique stands out, but he’s bigger than you’d think and looked fairly athletic during testing. He also carries himself like a big-time player and commands respect from his peers.
Michael McLaughlin (Douglas) took a step back after a solid Rivals camp. It seemed he was playing tight and thinking too much, which slowed him down. He is still refining his technique as a relative newcomer to OL. He’s headed for a redshirt at Miami.
Palmetto’s DT duo is as advertised. Leonard Taylor is a trained martial artist who wins reps easily with hands. True five star. Savion Collins has gotten noticeably better since last year. He’s always had straight-line power and speed, but now he’s starting to play with more functional athleticism and awareness. It makes sense considering he hasn’t played football very long.
Tarvarish Dawson (Lehigh) worked out at WR and was two steps faster than every player on the field. The 10.58 speed translates. Only question with him is WR vs. CB.
Dallas Turner (STA) is an athlete who looks to be only scratching the surface. Expect him to commit to a school like Bama or Georgia where he can play his natural role as a 3-4 LB. Don’t know if he’s big enough to thrive as a down lineman.
Jacory Hammett (Northwestern) is the only guy I saw win a rep against Tate. I spoke to his mother, who was very cool and knew a lot about football (she compared Seymore to a smaller Carlos Joseph). She confirmed Miami is recruiting Hammett as a Sam Brooks-type linebacker, but noted he is only 16 and comes from a family of 6’4-6’5 men.
Thad Franklin (Chaminade) is a legit 225 pounds right now and still looks lean. He had a tight hamstring so he never left cruise control, but he's smooth as a receiver and plucked catches away from his body in traffic.
Jaydon Hood (STA) did the best job covering Franklin at LB, including nice work on a wheel route. What he lacks in length, he makes up for in pure speed and awareness.
With most of the top WRs absent, Quincy Skinner (STA) stood out. He has a college-ready body and should be one of the top testers at the Opening combine. He’s still smoothing out the edges as a receiver and had a bad drop after smoking a DB deep. But the tools are high-level.
There were three players that I hope Miami evaluates closely in spring and the summer camps. Kareem Harden (OT from Stranahan) has a great frame with very little bad weight and moves naturally. Still raw at OL but good tools to work with.
Demetrius Hill (CB from Miami Springs) continues to impress as a well-built, 6’2 corner with footwork. Hayward McQueen is built like a safety but has a unique combination of pass rush, coverage and sideline-to-sideline tackling.
One lower-level prospect who needs more attention is Jayden Corbett, 6’3 WR/DB from Manatee. He stands out with his size and speed. Emile Aime (U-School) is a stout, 5’9 LB with great speed and playmaking in coverage. Antonio Johnson (STA) gives the Raiders yet another weapon as a power forward playing tight end.
This is a great local class and Miami is in the mix for some excellent players. We need to win.
