There has been a lot of talk about moving the goalposts in terms of expectations. So I figured we could write down some goals in this thread and see how they pan out. Here are mine:
1) Land 3-4 Top 100 Composite players by the start of the season
We have two Top 100 Composite players committed- DE Marquise Lightfoot (62) and RB Kevin Riley (70). This is a goal, not a prediction, but I think we have a chance to add three or four more by the time the season starts. This will help build a base of impact players so we are not overly reliant on flipping. For reference, below is a list of Top 100 players by class in the Composite Era. NFL players are bolded.
The Shannon Era
2010- 2
Seantrel Henderson-2
Storm Johnson- 40
The Golden Era
2011- 1
Anthony Chickillo- 22
2012- 3
Duke Johnson- 20
Tracy Howard- 23
2013- 4
Al-Quadin Muhammad- 48
Stacy Coley- 65
Kevin Olsen- 93
Artie Burns- 98
2014- 4
Chad Thomas- 25
Joe Yearby- 45
Kc McDermott- 46
Trevor Darling- 93
2015- 1
Mark Walton- 83
The Richt Era
2016- 1
Sam Bruce- 83
2017- 3
Jeff Thomas- 40
Navaughn Donaldson- 72
DJ Johnson- 74
2018- 6
Lorenzo Lingard- 25
Brevin Jordan- 33
Nesta Jade Silvera- 54
Mark Pope- 67
Jarren Williams- 77
Al Blades- 77
The Diaz Era
2019- 1
Jeremiah Payton- 54
2020- 2
Avantae Williams- 45
Chantz Williams- 85
2021- 3
Leonard Taylor- 11
James Williams- 15
Jake Garcia- 48
The Cristobal Era
2022- 2
Cyrus Moss- 70
Nyjalik Kelly- 90
2023- 4
Francis Mauigoa- 10
Samson Okunlola- 23
Rueben Bain- 63
Jayden Wayne- 82
2) Put together a season that breeds confidence from fans and outside observers
This one is self-explanatory. I don't have a number- you know it when you see it. The 2016 season is a good example. There were ups and downs, but by the end of the year most people inside and outside the program felt we were headed in the right direction.
3) Finish with a Top 10 Class
If we accomplish Goals 1 and 2, this will put us in a position to flip some targets and land in the Top 10. Miami hasn't landed consecutive Top 10 classes since 2005- nineteen years ago. This is why we brought in Mario. Add in some good transfers and a high-quality transition class in '22, and this should have Miami's roster in position to take another step.
1) Land 3-4 Top 100 Composite players by the start of the season
We have two Top 100 Composite players committed- DE Marquise Lightfoot (62) and RB Kevin Riley (70). This is a goal, not a prediction, but I think we have a chance to add three or four more by the time the season starts. This will help build a base of impact players so we are not overly reliant on flipping. For reference, below is a list of Top 100 players by class in the Composite Era. NFL players are bolded.
The Shannon Era
2010- 2
Seantrel Henderson-2
Storm Johnson- 40
The Golden Era
2011- 1
Anthony Chickillo- 22
2012- 3
Duke Johnson- 20
Tracy Howard- 23
2013- 4
Al-Quadin Muhammad- 48
Stacy Coley- 65
Kevin Olsen- 93
Artie Burns- 98
2014- 4
Chad Thomas- 25
Joe Yearby- 45
Kc McDermott- 46
Trevor Darling- 93
2015- 1
Mark Walton- 83
The Richt Era
2016- 1
Sam Bruce- 83
2017- 3
Jeff Thomas- 40
Navaughn Donaldson- 72
DJ Johnson- 74
2018- 6
Lorenzo Lingard- 25
Brevin Jordan- 33
Nesta Jade Silvera- 54
Mark Pope- 67
Jarren Williams- 77
Al Blades- 77
The Diaz Era
2019- 1
Jeremiah Payton- 54
2020- 2
Avantae Williams- 45
Chantz Williams- 85
2021- 3
Leonard Taylor- 11
James Williams- 15
Jake Garcia- 48
The Cristobal Era
2022- 2
Cyrus Moss- 70
Nyjalik Kelly- 90
2023- 4
Francis Mauigoa- 10
Samson Okunlola- 23
Rueben Bain- 63
Jayden Wayne- 82
2) Put together a season that breeds confidence from fans and outside observers
This one is self-explanatory. I don't have a number- you know it when you see it. The 2016 season is a good example. There were ups and downs, but by the end of the year most people inside and outside the program felt we were headed in the right direction.
3) Finish with a Top 10 Class
If we accomplish Goals 1 and 2, this will put us in a position to flip some targets and land in the Top 10. Miami hasn't landed consecutive Top 10 classes since 2005- nineteen years ago. This is why we brought in Mario. Add in some good transfers and a high-quality transition class in '22, and this should have Miami's roster in position to take another step.
