-Most of the talk this week has been about Keith Bryant's comments about FSU. To put things in perspective, I'll go back to when I first started talking to Keith about his recruitment during his sophomore year when he wasn't a known commodity. Since the beginning, the school that he ALWAYS wanted to hear from was Miami. He would ask me questions about the depth chart, how many defensive linemen they would be offering, etc. because he was "worried" that Miami wouldn't offer. He wasn't even talking about other schools with me. In a matter of months, he blew up and received offers from every top program in the country, but Miami was his first major offer and he committed at the junior day when he received that offer. Since that time, he has maintained with me that he wanted to enjoy the recruiting process and wanted to take visits all over the country, which is basically what he's done. It should not be a surprise to anybody that he's still out there looking because it has been his plan to do so from the beginning. Is it ideal for Miami? No, but they have to live with it. There has also been a lot made about his mom "pushing" him away from Miami. From what he has told me recently, she wants him to continue to enjoy the process, but isn't necessarily telling him not to go to Miami. I can also tell you that he has a great relationship with DL coach Jethro Franklin. They talk multiple times a week and Keith really likes him. The bottom-line is this: His heart is in Miami and he knows he will play a lot from Day 1. I would be absolutely stunned if he switches his commitment.
-Another commit that FSU has been hard after is Alex Collins. Last week, a South Plantation (Collins' school) source told me that Collins would be sticking with Miami most likely. Recruiting is a dynamic and constantly changing world though, and today FSU offered one of his best friends, John Franklin, who is quarterback for South Plantation. As I posted earlier, this could possibly be a game-changer. I interviewed Franklin a couple of weeks ago for SFHSSPORTS.com and this is what he had to say about his relationship with Collins:
Just looking at those comments, it's obvious that playing together is something that is intriguing to the two of them. Does this mean that Collins is automatically gone? No, but this strategic ploy by FSU was a smart move if they want to land Collins. I have an interview scheduled with Franklin tomorrow, so I'll get more info from him, but today's developments were not a good sign for Miami's chances of holding onto Collins. As far as Franklin as a player, I do think that people are selling him short. I saw him play last month and came away very impressed. I don't think he's FSU or Miami caliber, but he's better than people are giving him credit for. He has a live arm and good athleticism. The 'Noles are offering him a chance to come in as an athlete with an opportunity to give QB a shot. He probably doesn't end up as a QB there (if he chooses FSU), but he is a good athlete and can play receiver or corner if not. The interesting scenario would be if he tries to commit to FSU without Collins completely decided yet.
-University School DL Maquedius Bain told Tito Benach a couple weeks ago in an interview that Miami was back near the top of his list after "eliminating" them a couple of months earlier. At the moment, I still don't believe that Bain has a committable offer even though he is mentioning Miami. He wants to be a Cane, but much like his teammate Jordan Cunningham, he is not able to commit. I've mentioned this before, but DL coach Jethro Franklin loved Bain as a prospect back in the spring. For all we know, he might still like him a lot, but it has to raise some concerns to the Miami staff that he doesn't play defensive line on his own team. He has actually looked really good as an offensive lineman and that might be where his future is at. From what I've seen of him, he just doesn't have that mentality that the great defensive linemen have. The staff could change their mind out of necessity if some DL targets don't choose Miami as expected. It also isn't out of the realm of possibility that an offer is extended to him on the offensive side of the ball. He is a project at either position. Bain will be visiting Marshall this weekend.
-FSU is still pursuing Miami commit Artie Burns hard, but I am told that there is nothing to worry about. Burns took an official visit to FSU earlier this season and enjoyed himself, but his mother did not make the trip with him. Burns has been to multiple Miami games this year and is expected to be in attendance for the Virginia Tech game.
-According to Cameron Underwood, Miramar LB Jermaine Grace is still planning a Signing Day announcement. Cameron says he would be stunned if Grace doesn't pick the 'Canes. This isn't a surprise, but I'm just passing along the most recent info on the situation.
-A possible plan B that the staff is taking a look at is DT/DE Darius Holiday from American Heritage (6'5" 260). Just a name to monitor as the recruiting season heats up.
-Another commit that FSU has been hard after is Alex Collins. Last week, a South Plantation (Collins' school) source told me that Collins would be sticking with Miami most likely. Recruiting is a dynamic and constantly changing world though, and today FSU offered one of his best friends, John Franklin, who is quarterback for South Plantation. As I posted earlier, this could possibly be a game-changer. I interviewed Franklin a couple of weeks ago for SFHSSPORTS.com and this is what he had to say about his relationship with Collins:
Franklin has a close relationship with Collins, who is currently committed to the University of Miami, but still taking visits. Franklin and Collins have talked about potentially attending the same school at the next level.
“That’s always something we’ve wanted to do and we talk about all the time, if not every other day. We would like to do it if the opportunity presents itself, but if not then we just have to do what’s best for us,” Franklin said.
Just looking at those comments, it's obvious that playing together is something that is intriguing to the two of them. Does this mean that Collins is automatically gone? No, but this strategic ploy by FSU was a smart move if they want to land Collins. I have an interview scheduled with Franklin tomorrow, so I'll get more info from him, but today's developments were not a good sign for Miami's chances of holding onto Collins. As far as Franklin as a player, I do think that people are selling him short. I saw him play last month and came away very impressed. I don't think he's FSU or Miami caliber, but he's better than people are giving him credit for. He has a live arm and good athleticism. The 'Noles are offering him a chance to come in as an athlete with an opportunity to give QB a shot. He probably doesn't end up as a QB there (if he chooses FSU), but he is a good athlete and can play receiver or corner if not. The interesting scenario would be if he tries to commit to FSU without Collins completely decided yet.
-University School DL Maquedius Bain told Tito Benach a couple weeks ago in an interview that Miami was back near the top of his list after "eliminating" them a couple of months earlier. At the moment, I still don't believe that Bain has a committable offer even though he is mentioning Miami. He wants to be a Cane, but much like his teammate Jordan Cunningham, he is not able to commit. I've mentioned this before, but DL coach Jethro Franklin loved Bain as a prospect back in the spring. For all we know, he might still like him a lot, but it has to raise some concerns to the Miami staff that he doesn't play defensive line on his own team. He has actually looked really good as an offensive lineman and that might be where his future is at. From what I've seen of him, he just doesn't have that mentality that the great defensive linemen have. The staff could change their mind out of necessity if some DL targets don't choose Miami as expected. It also isn't out of the realm of possibility that an offer is extended to him on the offensive side of the ball. He is a project at either position. Bain will be visiting Marshall this weekend.
-FSU is still pursuing Miami commit Artie Burns hard, but I am told that there is nothing to worry about. Burns took an official visit to FSU earlier this season and enjoyed himself, but his mother did not make the trip with him. Burns has been to multiple Miami games this year and is expected to be in attendance for the Virginia Tech game.
-According to Cameron Underwood, Miramar LB Jermaine Grace is still planning a Signing Day announcement. Cameron says he would be stunned if Grace doesn't pick the 'Canes. This isn't a surprise, but I'm just passing along the most recent info on the situation.
-A possible plan B that the staff is taking a look at is DT/DE Darius Holiday from American Heritage (6'5" 260). Just a name to monitor as the recruiting season heats up.
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