RECAP: 2022 Rivals Camp Series Miami

RECAP: 2022 Rivals Camp Series Miami

Stefan Adams
As one of the best camps on the circuit in terms of elite talent, the Rivals Miami Camp has been bringing together the best of the best in South Florida to compete on the gridiron for years now.

And the 2022 version of the camp did not disappoint: over 200 of the area’s best prospects again came out to show their stuff versus the cream of the crop this past Sunday and earn an all-expense paid invite out to Atlanta to compete in the Rivals 5-Star Challenge over the summer.

With the 2022 class wrapped up and in the books, of course the focus of the camp was the rising seniors of 2023, but others in the 2024 class made a name for themselves as well.

Keep in mind, there is always a lot going on at once, so it is impossible to see everybody compete at all times. But for my money, here are my top performers from the 2022 Rivals Miami Camp with additional notes coming out of the event.


Top Performers

Class of 2023


QB Will Prichard, West Palm Beach, FL (The King's Academy)

Windy conditions had the QB's somewhat at a disadvantage, but Prichard was the clear top QB today in my opinion. While I'd prefer more size at the position (Prichard is around 6'1"), he makes up for that with plus arm strength and superb ball placement. He earned QB MVP on the day.

RB Javin Simpkins, Miami, FL (Norland)

At a listed 5'9" 175 pounds, Simpkins profiles more as a third down back at the next level, and he showed today that he has the speed and receiving ability to seamlessly transition into that role in college. Simpkins showcased a nasty jump cut in the cat and mouse drills that regularly got LB's off balance, and he was deliberate and decisive while running a multitude of routes (angle, wheel) in the passcatching drills. He earned RB MVP on the day.

RB Gemari Sands, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)

Although Simpkins took home the official title, Sands was my personal RB MVP on the day. A hyper-quick back with feet that never stop moving, Sands impressed in every drill today, but especially in the cat and mouse drill where he may have had the play of the day. Sands completely dismantled a LB with a dream shake move that left his opponent on the ground, him untouched for an easy win, and the crowd in a frenzy. When the action moved to the passcatching drills, he didn't slow down, as he consistently got behind defenders and pulled away with ease, while also demonstrating the soft hands and concentration needed to complete the catch. At 5'11" 190 pounds, his lean frame looked to still have room to fill out nicely.

WR Santana Fleming, Plantation, FL (American Heritage)

As a receiver that wins with his great release, Fleming manufactured separation in short amounts of time and in seemingly tight windows to present a clean target for his QB. Fleming has a slighter build at this stage at 5'10" 160 pounds, but had no trouble with more physical corners that tried to jam him early in the route, making them pay by quickly getting around them with above average footwork and handwork, then turning on the jets to burn them deep.

WR Jamarri Wright, Coconut Creek, FL (Coconut Creek)

Wright won every rep I saw him take, and the amount of separation he was getting on some reps was jaw-dropping. He got behind the defense the most out of any receiver on the day, his burst is just on another level than everyone else on the field, and the explosion he showed coming out of his breaks was plain fun to watch. He also showed the ability to make ankle-breaking cuts on a dime with extreme suddenness and then quickly accelerate towards open grass, plus demonstrated great concentration and body control to make a diving catch in the back of the endzone on one rep. Like most high school prospects ticketed for the slot, he will need to put on more size to hold up at the next level, but the talent is there to mold a dynamic weapon in the right offense.

OT Payton Kirkland, Orlando, FL (Dr. Phillips)

Kirkland has a massive build and a strong base, looking every bit of his listed 6'6" 345 pounds. There's some bad weight here that he'll have to trim if he wishes to stay on the edge, but he certainly has the tools to be a highly effective right tackle or guard prospect at the next level. He mainly worked at left tackle today and won most every rep I saw him take; his above average footwork had him cutting off speed rushers to the edge, allowing his sheer size and strength to overwhelm them, while he stood his ground well and showed a great initial punch to stone power rushers that tried to go right through him. For his effort, he was awarded OL MVP.

OG Jordan Church, Bradenton, FL (IMG Academy)

Build-wise, Church is top heavy at the moment and that led to him leaning a little too much, something that will get him beat at the next level. Still, his hand placement and his raw power were impressive and are what allow him to win, as he frequently pummeled his opponent at the point of attack and had multiple pancakes to secure a spot in the Final 5 Linemen Challenge.

DE Derrick LeBlanc, Kissimmee, FL (Osceola)

LeBlanc continues to grow, and he probably profiles as a better interior prospect at this point that still has the versatility to kick out to the edge when needed. For a bigger player, LeBlanc is still able to retain above average athleticism and good bend. Along with his size, his length really sets him apart, and he understands how to use it well to win with top-notch handwork. He mainly worked on the outside today, demonstrating he knows how to get skinny to get around blockers, and put on display a sick swim move to dominate one rep.

DT John Walker, Kissimmee, FL (Osceola)

Walker has a solid and wide build, yet he carries that 6'3" 310 pounds incredibly well with surprisingly nimble feet and the functional athleticism of a smaller player. Walker explodes off the ball with aggression, and his initial punch is violent with the intent to bury his opponent on every rep. Ultimately, you just don't see many big men that size that can move that fluidly, and Walker has exciting upside at the next level.

LB Gerral Blue, Lehigh Acres, FL (Lehigh Senior)

Blue continued his great offseason on the camp circuit today, locking down LB MVP with an impressive performance. Blue is absolutely built for these type of events where coverage ability is highlighted at the linebacker position, and he excelled working in space. Although he still needs to add more weight and he is a bit on the shorter side, Blue allowed almost no room for any of his opponents to work, and even when he did, he showed the quickness to close gaps in a hurry and bat away passes.

S Jaheim Clarke, Fort Myers, FL (Riverdale)

Clarke stood out immediately with a lanky 6'1" frame and long arms, plus a better build than his 165 pound listed weight would suggest. He used that length well to give receivers fits and he was frequently rerouting his opponent or getting them off balance. Clarke displayed great hip flip, staying right in his man's hip pocket all afternoon, and he paired that with great ball skills that he was able to show off on one diving pick near the sidelines.


Class of 2024

WR James Madison II, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)

At a legit 6'3"-6'4", Madison can fly and it is impressive to watch. While he is a size/speed marvel, he doesn't fall into the trap that has doomed many other taller and faster receivers by being too much of a finesse player. Instead, Madison displays great play strength to bully DB's, and he uses his body well to wall off defenders. Madison won WR MVP on the day and is dripping with upside, the type of player that has all the tools to develop into a complete receiver in all facets of the game.

WR Izaiah Williams, Zephyhills, FL (Wiregrass Ranch)

Williams looks taller and more built than his listed 6'0" 160 pounds as he continues to improve his physique and grow into his frame. He is sharp and crafty as a route runner, showing the suddenness to slice and dice up a secondary. He also has the ability to pluck the ball in the air and separate at the catch point. A lot of intriguing tools here, and Williams is someone I'm very interested in seeing progress over the next few years.

WR Jose Leon, Miami, FL (Columbus)

Leon has the typical high school slot receiver build at 5'10" 160 pounds and he mainly dominated on underneath routes throughout the day, as DB's had trouble keeping up with his change of direction skills. Leon's quickness in getting in and out of his breaks had his opponents frequently off balance, and his aptitude at manipulating defenders is advanced for this stage of his career.

DE Dylan Stephenson, Miami, FL (Killian)

Stephenson was a dominant force off the edge, making his living in the backfield, and he was nearly impossible to block all day. He has added good weight to his frame recently, so pairing that with his ability to dip and bend around the edge with little wasted movement made for a dangerous combination on Sunday. His get-off and explosion off the ball are elite, and he put a few opponents in the spin cycle as well. Stephenson simply abused his fair share of O-Linemen to take home DL MVP.

LB Nicholas Rodriguez, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)

I thought Rodriguez had an argument for LB MVP, as he made a ton of plays today and demonstrated outstanding ball skills with multiple interceptions in the passing drills. Rodriguez also did well to keep most everything in front of him in the cat and mouse drills, but what I liked best from him was his next-level physicality and aggressiveness despite a more slender 6'1" 195 pound frame. There were a few times that you saw Rodriguez putting guys on the ground in the RB blocking drills, mixing it up after the play and not backing down when opponents would get in his face. You love to see it in your linebacker prospects.

CB Brayshon Williams, Lakeland, FL (Lake Gibson)

Williams has the versatility to play either safety or corner at the next level, and he was one of the rangier prospects among the DB's today. Williams has very little wasted motion and possesses the type of smooth athleticism that makes plays of high difficulty appear effortless, leading to DB MVP honors. I liked how well he was able to turn his head and locate the ball in the air without sacrificing his body positioning to go make a play, and he was aggressive in fighting back through receivers to knock away passes.

S Fred Gaskin III, Ocala, FL (Vanguard)

Gaskin has an unusual build for a safety prospect, as he has shorter and stockier frame than you'd expect from a player on the back end. I actually thought he was a linebacker at first until I realized he was working with the DB's. He doesn't have great top end speed, but he was probably my favorite performer on the afternoon, as he wasn't afraid to completely lay out multiple times to make a play and he is the definition of a high effort, relentlessly active type of player. There were multiple reps of Gaskin closing quick and challenging receivers in the air to push them past the boundary or force a tough, contested play. On one sideline interception, he went full-extension and pulled the pass into his body just before it hit the ground. It wasn't just that play though, as the ball skills routinely showed up for him to tally multiple picks on Sunday. He probably would've won DB MVP on the day over Williams if it wasn't for a late injury.


Class of 2025

WR Waden Charles, Boynton Beach, FL (Somerset Academy)

The day mostly belonged to the upperclassmen, but one underclassman that caught my eye was Charles, who earned his way into the main event with an impressive combine showing yesterday. Charles has good size with a long and lean 6'2"-6'3" frame, and he is a smooth glider that doesn't seem to be moving that fast, yet was pulling away from defenders with a nice second gear. File the name away for a later date.


Notes

**While the QB play can usually be a downer at these events, this was probably the deepest QB talent pool that I've seen at any event in South Florida in recent years. In addition to Prichard, 2023 Cardinal Gibbons (FL) QB Dylan Rizk and 2024 St. Thomas (FL) QB Tyler Aronson also showed some ability to make strong and accurate throws to all levels of the field with great velocity.

**During the event, I found myself thinking back to the 2022 defensive end class in South Florida and appreciating even more just how special it was. While this year's 2023 class has a few good players with upside, it is nowhere close to the wealth of high-end speed and talent we saw off the edge last year and it was very noticeable in watching camp today.

**The WR's in all three classes really impressed and it was very hard to narrow things down to just a few top performers. Most notably, 2025 IMG Academy (FL) WR Winston Watkins and 2025 Miami Palmetto (FL) WR Cameron Sapp both flashed at times as well. It was an exciting group overall, and, as is tradition in Florida, it will be a strength here for years to come.

**2024 Flagler Palm Coast (FL) LB Rodney Hill should also get a mention as someone that was extremely physical and imposing in the cat and mouse drills, just missing out on top performer status. Ditto for 2024 Tampa Catholic (FL) OG Eddy Pierre-Louis, who is a tough and massive guard prospect.

**Former Miami Hurricanes and current Buffalo Bills DE Gregory Rousseau came out to the event to show support for the next generation, while former Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl RB Jamal Lewis helped coach during drills.

**2023 Osceola (FL) DE Derrick LeBlanc wore a Hurricanes zip-up jacket to the event. He says he hears from the new Hurricanes staff every day, and is mainly in touch with HC Mario Cristobal and DL coach Joe Salave'a. LeBlanc says the vibe he gets from Cristobal is that he's a "family guy" and also feels like a priority for UM because he's getting so much attention from the head coach. LeBlanc's family is from Miami and he says they tell him to stay home. He plans on coming to a UM spring practice "soon", and will visit Oklahoma on March 25th. His current top 7 remains Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Clemson, Florida, UCF, and Penn State, with a final decision coming on July 23rd.

**2023 Jones (FL) DE Malik Bryant showed up to the event wearing a Miami T-shirt under his zip-up jacket, but he did not participate in drills. Georgia, Alabama, and USC currently make up his top 4 along with Miami. His next planned visit is to USC on April 15th and Bryant will commit with LeBlanc on July 23rd. Bryant says he mainly communicates with Cristobal on Miami's staff, but says the entire rest of the staff has checked in on him at various points this offseason. Bryant likes that Cristobal's philosophy is to focus on the trenches, saying that he has quickly built a strong relationship with Cristobal and the new staff, and doesn't see the staff turnover as negatively effecting his chances to land at UM. The staff is pitching him on a quick turnaround on the field for the Canes this season, and Bryant believes the program is on the upswing. Bryant said he is expecting to visit UM "soon" and says the visit will most likely be for a spring practice.

**2024 Killian (FL) DE Dylan Stephenson says he is in regular contact with coach Pop Cooney from Miami. Stephenson got a chance to meet with Salave'a at one of UM's spring practices and described the practice environment as "intense". Stephenson found Salave'a as one of the more interesting coaching personalities he's met in the process, and feels Salave'a can get him to the next level. Stephenson loves the history of the Miami program, and expects the program to do great things in the future with Cristobal on board. Stephenson also says he is friendly with Canes DT Leonard Taylor and the two still keep in touch. His brother Darian Stephenson played for the Canes as a walk-on linebacker in 2018 and 2019, and he says his brother tells him Miami is "a great place and a great environment".

**2024 St. Thomas (FL) LB Nicholas Rodriguez wore a UM wristband to the event and says he says the staff showed him good hospitality when he visited for Elite Prospect Day back in January. Rodriguez spent time with Cristobal and coach DeMarcus Van Dyke during that visit, and he is planning to make another trip to UM next week to watch a spring practice. What appeals to him about Miami is that he feels it's a "brotherhood". He has visited Arizona and LSU in the past, and also expects to visit Tennessee this spring as well.
 

Comments (31)

As one of the best camps on the circuit in terms of elite talent, the Rivals Miami Camp has been bringing together the best of the best in South Florida to compete on the gridiron for years now.

And the 2022 version of the camp did not disappoint: over 200 of the area’s best prospects again came out to show their stuff versus the cream of the crop this past Sunday and earn an all-expense paid invite out to Atlanta to compete in the Rivals 5-Star Challenge over the summer.

With the 2022 class wrapped up and in the books, of course the focus of the camp was the rising seniors of 2023, but others in the 2024 class made a name for themselves as well.

Keep in mind, there is always a lot going on at once, so it is impossible to see everybody compete at all times. But for my money, here are my top performers from the 2022 Rivals Miami Camp with additional notes coming out of the event.


Top Performers

Class of 2023


QB Will Prichard, West Palm Beach, FL (The King's Academy)

Windy conditions had the QB's somewhat at a disadvantage, but Prichard was the clear top QB today in my opinion. While I'd prefer more size at the position (Prichard is around 6'1"), he makes up for that with plus arm strength and superb ball placement. He earned QB MVP on the day.

RB Javin Simpkins, Miami, FL (Norland)

At a listed 5'9" 175 pounds, Simpkins profiles more as a third down back at the next level, and he showed today that he has the speed and receiving ability to seamlessly transition into that role in college. Simpkins showcased a nasty jump cut in the cat and mouse drills that regularly got LB's off balance, and he was deliberate and decisive while running a multitude of routes (angle, wheel) in the passcatching drills. He earned RB MVP on the day.

RB Gemari Sands, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)

Although Simpkins took home the official title, Sands was my personal RB MVP on the day. A hyper-quick back with feet that never stop moving, Sands impressed in every drill today, but especially in the cat and mouse drill where he may have had the play of the day. Sands completely dismantled a LB with a dream shake move that left his opponent on the ground, him untouched for an easy win, and the crowd in a frenzy. When the action moved to the passcatching drills, he didn't slow down, as he consistently got behind defenders and pulled away with ease, while also demonstrating the soft hands and concentration needed to complete the catch. At 5'11" 190 pounds, his lean frame looked to still have room to fill out nicely.

WR Santana Fleming, Plantation, FL (American Heritage)

As a receiver that wins with his great release, Fleming manufactured separation in short amounts of time and in seemingly tight windows to present a clean target for his QB. Fleming has a slighter build at this stage at 5'10" 160 pounds, but had no trouble with more physical corners that tried to jam him early in the route, making them pay by quickly getting around them with above average footwork and handwork, then turning on the jets to burn them deep.

WR Jamarri Wright, Coconut Creek, FL (Coconut Creek)

Wright won every rep I saw him take, and the amount of separation he was getting on some reps was jaw-dropping. He got behind the defense the most out of any receiver on the day, his burst is just on another level than everyone else on the field, and the explosion he showed coming out of his breaks was plain fun to watch. He also showed the ability to make ankle-breaking cuts on a dime with extreme suddenness and then quickly accelerate towards open grass, plus demonstrated great concentration and body control to make a diving catch in the back of the endzone on one rep. Like most high school prospects ticketed for the slot, he will need to put on more size to hold up at the next level, but the talent is there to mold a dynamic weapon in the right offense.

OT Payton Kirkland, Orlando, FL (Dr. Phillips)

Kirkland has a massive build and a strong base, looking every bit of his listed 6'6" 345 pounds. There's some bad weight here that he'll have to trim if he wishes to stay on the edge, but he certainly has the tools to be a highly effective right tackle or guard prospect at the next level. He mainly worked at left tackle today and won most every rep I saw him take; his above average footwork had him cutting off speed rushers to the edge, allowing his sheer size and strength to overwhelm them, while he stood his ground well and showed a great initial punch to stone power rushers that tried to go right through him. For his effort, he was awarded OL MVP.

OG Jordan Church, Bradenton, FL (IMG Academy)

Build-wise, Church is top heavy at the moment and that led to him leaning a little too much, something that will get him beat at the next level. Still, his hand placement and his raw power were impressive and are what allow him to win, as he frequently pummeled his opponent at the point of attack and had multiple pancakes to secure a spot in the Final 5 Linemen Challenge.

DE Derrick LeBlanc, Kissimmee, FL (Osceola)

LeBlanc continues to grow, and he probably profiles as a better interior prospect at this point that still has the versatility to kick out to the edge when needed. For a bigger player, LeBlanc is still able to retain above average athleticism and good bend. Along with his size, his length really sets him apart, and he understands how to use it well to win with top-notch handwork. He mainly worked on the outside today, demonstrating he knows how to get skinny to get around blockers, and put on display a sick swim move to dominate one rep.

DT John Walker, Kissimmee, FL (Osceola)

Walker has a solid and wide build, yet he carries that 6'3" 310 pounds incredibly well with surprisingly nimble feet and the functional athleticism of a smaller player. Walker explodes off the ball with aggression, and his initial punch is violent with the intent to bury his opponent on every rep. Ultimately, you just don't see many big men that size that can move that fluidly, and Walker has exciting upside at the next level.

LB Gerral Blue, Lehigh Acres, FL (Lehigh Senior)

Blue continued his great offseason on the camp circuit today, locking down LB MVP with an impressive performance. Blue is absolutely built for these type of events where coverage ability is highlighted at the linebacker position, and he excelled working in space. Although he still needs to add more weight and he is a bit on the shorter side, Blue allowed almost no room for any of his opponents to work, and even when he did, he showed the quickness to close gaps in a hurry and bat away passes.

S Jaheim Clarke, Fort Myers, FL (Riverdale)

Clarke stood out immediately with a lanky 6'1" frame and long arms, plus a better build than his 165 pound listed weight would suggest. He used that length well to give receivers fits and he was frequently rerouting his opponent or getting them off balance. Clarke displayed great hip flip, staying right in his man's hip pocket all afternoon, and he paired that with great ball skills that he was able to show off on one diving pick near the sidelines.


Class of 2024

WR James Madison II, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)

At a legit 6'3"-6'4", Madison can fly and it is impressive to watch. While he is a size/speed marvel, he doesn't fall into the trap that has doomed many other taller and faster receivers by being too much of a finesse player. Instead, Madison displays great play strength to bully DB's, and he uses his body well to wall off defenders. Madison won WR MVP on the day and is dripping with upside, the type of player that has all the tools to develop into a complete receiver in all facets of the game.

WR Izaiah Williams, Zephyhills, FL (Wiregrass Ranch)

Williams looks taller and more built than his listed 6'0" 160 pounds as he continues to improve his physique and grow into his frame. He is sharp and crafty as a route runner, showing the suddenness to slice and dice up a secondary. He also has the ability to pluck the ball in the air and separate at the catch point. A lot of intriguing tools here, and Williams is someone I'm very interested in seeing progress over the next few years.

WR Jose Leon, Miami, FL (Columbus)

Leon has the typical high school slot receiver build at 5'10" 160 pounds and he mainly dominated on underneath routes throughout the day, as DB's had trouble keeping up with his change of direction skills. Leon's quickness in getting in and out of his breaks had his opponents frequently off balance, and his aptitude at manipulating defenders is advanced for this stage of his career.

DE Dylan Stephenson, Miami, FL (Killian)

Stephenson was a dominant force off the edge, making his living in the backfield, and he was nearly impossible to block all day. He has added good weight to his frame recently, so pairing that with his ability to dip and bend around the edge with little wasted movement made for a dangerous combination on Sunday. His get-off and explosion off the ball are elite, and he put a few opponents in the spin cycle as well. Stephenson simply abused his fair share of O-Linemen to take home DL MVP.

LB Nicholas Rodriguez, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)

I thought Rodriguez had an argument for LB MVP, as he made a ton of plays today and demonstrated outstanding ball skills with multiple interceptions in the passing drills. Rodriguez also did well to keep most everything in front of him in the cat and mouse drills, but what I liked best from him was his next-level physicality and aggressiveness despite a more slender 6'1" 195 pound frame. There were a few times that you saw Rodriguez putting guys on the ground in the RB blocking drills, mixing it up after the play and not backing down when opponents would get in his face. You love to see it in your linebacker prospects.

CB Brayshon Williams, Lakeland, FL (Lake Gibson)

Williams has the versatility to play either safety or corner at the next level, and he was one of the rangier prospects among the DB's today. Williams has very little wasted motion and possesses the type of smooth athleticism that makes plays of high difficulty appear effortless, leading to DB MVP honors. I liked how well he was able to turn his head and locate the ball in the air without sacrificing his body positioning to go make a play, and he was aggressive in fighting back through receivers to knock away passes.

S Fred Gaskin III, Ocala, FL (Vanguard)

Gaskin has an unusual build for a safety prospect, as he has shorter and stockier frame than you'd expect from a player on the back end. I actually thought he was a linebacker at first until I realized he was working with the DB's. He doesn't have great top end speed, but he was probably my favorite performer on the afternoon, as he wasn't afraid to completely lay out multiple times to make a play and he is the definition of a high effort, relentlessly active type of player. There were multiple reps of Gaskin closing quick and challenging receivers in the air to push them past the boundary or force a tough, contested play. On one sideline interception, he went full-extension and pulled the pass into his body just before it hit the ground. It wasn't just that play though, as the ball skills routinely showed up for him to tally multiple picks on Sunday. He probably would've won DB MVP on the day over Williams if it wasn't for a late injury.


Class of 2025

WR Waden Charles, Boynton Beach, FL (Somerset Academy)

The day mostly belonged to the upperclassmen, but one underclassman that caught my eye was Charles, who earned his way into the main event with an impressive combine showing yesterday. Charles has good size with a long and lean 6'2"-6'3" frame, and he is a smooth glider that doesn't seem to be moving that fast, yet was pulling away from defenders with a nice second gear. File the name away for a later date.


Notes

**While the QB play can usually be a downer at these events, this was probably the deepest QB talent pool that I've seen at any event in South Florida in recent years. In addition to Prichard, 2023 Cardinal Gibbons (FL) QB Dylan Rizk and 2024 St. Thomas (FL) QB Tyler Aronson also showed some ability to make strong and accurate throws to all levels of the field with great velocity.

**During the event, I found myself thinking back to the 2022 defensive end class in South Florida and appreciating even more just how special it was. While this year's 2023 class has a few good players with upside, it is nowhere close to the wealth of high-end speed and talent we saw off the edge last year and it was very noticeable in watching camp today.

**The WR's in all three classes really impressed and it was very hard to narrow things down to just a few top performers. Most notably, 2025 IMG Academy (FL) WR Winston Watkins and 2025 Miami Palmetto (FL) WR Cameron Sapp both flashed at times as well. It was an exciting group overall, and, as is tradition in Florida, it will be a strength here for years to come.

**2024 Flagler Palm Coast (FL) LB Rodney Hill should also get a mention as someone that was extremely physical and imposing in the cat and mouse drills, just missing out on top performer status. Ditto for 2024 Tampa Catholic (FL) OG Eddy Pierre-Louis, who is a tough and massive guard prospect.

**Former Miami Hurricanes and current Buffalo Bills DE Gregory Rousseau came out to the event to show support for the next generation, while former Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl RB Jamal Lewis helped coach during drills.

**2023 Osceola (FL) DE Derrick LeBlanc wore a Hurricanes zip-up jacket to the event. He says he hears from the new Hurricanes staff every day, and is mainly in touch with HC Mario Cristobal and DL coach Joe Salave'a. LeBlanc says the vibe he gets from Cristobal is that he's a "family guy" and also feels like a priority for UM because he's getting so much attention from the head coach. LeBlanc's family is from Miami and he says they tell him to stay home. He plans on coming to a UM spring practice "soon", and will visit Oklahoma on March 25th. His current top 7 remains Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Clemson, Florida, UCF, and Penn State, with a final decision coming on July 23rd.

**2023 Jones (FL) DE Malik Bryant showed up to the event wearing a Miami T-shirt under his zip-up jacket, but he did not participate in drills. Georgia, Alabama, and USC currently make up his top 4 along with Miami. His next planned visit is to USC on April 15th and Bryant will commit with LeBlanc on July 23rd. Bryant says he mainly communicates with Cristobal on Miami's staff, but says the entire rest of the staff has checked in on him at various points this offseason. Bryant likes that Cristobal's philosophy is to focus on the trenches, saying that he has quickly built a strong relationship with Cristobal and the new staff, and doesn't see the staff turnover as negatively effecting his chances to land at UM. The staff is pitching him on a quick turnaround on the field for the Canes this season, and Bryant believes the program is on the upswing. Bryant said he is expecting to visit UM "soon" and says the visit will most likely be for a spring practice.

**2024 Killian (FL) DE Dylan Stephenson says he is in regular contact with coach Pop Cooney from Miami. Stephenson got a chance to meet with Salave'a at one of UM's spring practices and described the practice environment as "intense". Stephenson found Salave'a as one of the more interesting coaching personalities he's met in the process, and feels Salave'a can get him to the next level. Stephenson loves the history of the Miami program, and expects the program to do great things in the future with Cristobal on board. Stephenson also says he is friendly with Canes DT Leonard Taylor and the two still keep in touch. His brother Darian Stephenson played for the Canes as a walk-on linebacker in 2018 and 2019, and he says his brother tells him Miami is "a great place and a great environment".

**2024 St. Thomas (FL) LB Nicholas Rodriguez wore a UM wristband to the event and says he says the staff showed him good hospitality when he visited for Elite Prospect Day back in January. Rodriguez spent time with Cristobal and coach DeMarcus Van Dyke during that visit, and he is planning to make another trip to UM next week to watch a spring practice. What appeals to him about Miami is that he feels it's a "brotherhood". He has visited Arizona and LSU in the past, and also expects to visit Tennessee this spring as well.
Outstanding stuff!
 
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Great stuff - any highlights anywhere ?
 
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Is Santana Fleming an option here or have we kinda moved on?
 
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Bain at DT? I must have missed that one.

He's currently in the 265 range and his body type is 100% DT. It's also somewhat of a down year at DT - not a lot of those 6-5/300 pound war daddies out there this year.
 
Trenches. Kirkland, Church, LeBlanc, Bryant, Walker, Stephenson.
 
Is Gemari any relation to Ethenic Sands?

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Is Santana Fleming an option here or have we kinda moved on?

He is not in top tier of WRs in South Florida and comes from a die hard Nole family.

No point to waste time there.
 
Is Gemari any relation to Ethenic Sands?

View attachment 179589

Bahamian last name so they are probably related somewhere down the line

He likely is related to former St Thomas Aquinas great and Michael Irvin's best friend Tony Sands. There has maybe been 3 div 1 rbs to come out of that same family...this kid likely the fourth
 
Outside of the WRs, a couple RBs and a couple linemen, the 2023 South Florida class feels a little down talent-wise, tbh.
 
Bryant would be A HUGE GET for us. Seems like the first few commits that we land will be in the trenches. We need 1 more OG prospect and 2 OT body types. Kirkland and the Poly OT from IMG needs to be our two OTs.

Then bring in LeBlanc & Bryant, Bain, another DT and the DE kid from Washington that visited for Elite Prospect Day.
 
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