**Most of the talk surrounding the football program right now deals with whether or not Miami should self-impose a postseason ban, which would mean they would not be eligible for the ACC Championship game if they beat Duke next week. This decision will have an impact on the recruiting front in a major way. The general consensus talking to some recruits and local coaches is that they really don't want to have to miss a bowl game in their time at Miami. Some are hoping that Miami skips out on the postseason this year in hopes that they will be in the clear for a bowl next season and the year after. While it would be a huge accomplishment for Golden to say he took this team to the ACC Title in his second year, it would be a smarter decision in terms of recruiting for them to self-impose.
**2014 RB Dalvin Cook has been arguably the most explosive player in South Florida this season as seen in his new highlights: [video=youtube;ZrdzWLUQ4ww]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrdzWLUQ4ww&feature=player_embedded[/video]
From talking to some rival coaches and players, they believe Cook is not only a great running back, but has more potential on the defensive side of the ball. Cook has played a good amount of defense this year and made a lot of big plays from both the corner and safety spots. While I think he needs to be on offense in college because he is too explosive not to give the ball to, it's scary to think what he could do on defense as well.
He is currently committed to Clemson, but I did this interview with Cook back in late September with him, where it was obvious that Miami had made a move with him:
[video=youtube;2CkejrRdKcY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CkejrRdKcY[/video]
Miami has made him their top priority at running back along with Sony Michel for the 2014 class. It would be an absolute failure if Miami doesn't land him, but the 'Canes are in very good standing right now. His brother, DeAndre Burnett, is set to sign his LOI for the 'Canes basketball program tomorrow so this is just another thing in their favor. Clemson won't back down though. They sent a coach to Central's game against Miami Northwestern back in October.
**Al Golden's recruiting plan seems to be coming together. The 2012 class was the foundational class and we have already seen a good amount of those kids make a major impact, with some others gaining a much-needed redshirt year. This year's class, while still not complete, is going to be a great supplementary class to last year's. The numbers are much smaller than last year, but there is a lot of quality in this year's class and not many kids that will be here for "depth" purposes. The 2014 class is shaping up to be the one that could take Miami back to championship-level. The amount of elite talent in the current class of juniors in South Florida is unfathomable. WR Ermon Lane, RB Sony Michel, and Dalvin Cook all have NFL 1st round ability from the skill positions. Chaminade DT Khairi Clark, STA DL Anthony Moten, and Booker T DL Chad Thomas all have Miami out in front right now, which would be an incredible pull. The list of prospects goes on and almost all of them have very high interest in Miami. South Florida has a lot of talent every year, but 2014 is a special group. If Golden can lock that class down to add to what he would have added in the two classes before, this team could be closer to the top than outsiders expect (barring the NCAA absolutely crushing Miami scholarships-wise).
**RB Derrick Green's interest in Miami is legitimate and if he gets on campus for a visit, I would feel confident about the 'Canes chances. Green's top 5 currently consists of Oregon, Michigan, Miami, Auburn, and Tennessee. With coaching turmoil at Auburn and Tennessee, it's tough to see him choosing one of those. That would leave Oregon, Michigan, and the newly-added Miami. There is talk that he likes Oregon, but it may be too far from home. Michigan is the favorite right now, but he also likes the idea of playing down South. Miami RB coach Terry Richardson has been on him really hard for about a month now, ever since Alex Collins really starting wavering. The interesting thing about the whole scenario is that other than Green, no other names have really emerged as far as heavy interest from the Miami side. The staff is inquiring about a few kids, but nothing concrete like Green, which could mean they feel confident about their chances.
**Miami commit Artie Burns is in fact at LSU this weekend for a visit. I don't see this as a huge deal, though. It has been known for some time that he has an interest in LSU and he has said throughout the process that he would still be taking visits. He has a good relationship with the Miami coaches and knows he is in line for early playing time. This will be a situation to monitor, but nothing alarming at the moment. I'll catch up with Burns at some point within the next week about the visit.
**Matthew Thomas has not taken any official visits yet, but will be taking one to both FSU and Miami following his season. He plans to take both of these visits with Denver Kirkland.
**2014 RB Dalvin Cook has been arguably the most explosive player in South Florida this season as seen in his new highlights: [video=youtube;ZrdzWLUQ4ww]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrdzWLUQ4ww&feature=player_embedded[/video]
From talking to some rival coaches and players, they believe Cook is not only a great running back, but has more potential on the defensive side of the ball. Cook has played a good amount of defense this year and made a lot of big plays from both the corner and safety spots. While I think he needs to be on offense in college because he is too explosive not to give the ball to, it's scary to think what he could do on defense as well.
He is currently committed to Clemson, but I did this interview with Cook back in late September with him, where it was obvious that Miami had made a move with him:
[video=youtube;2CkejrRdKcY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CkejrRdKcY[/video]
Miami has made him their top priority at running back along with Sony Michel for the 2014 class. It would be an absolute failure if Miami doesn't land him, but the 'Canes are in very good standing right now. His brother, DeAndre Burnett, is set to sign his LOI for the 'Canes basketball program tomorrow so this is just another thing in their favor. Clemson won't back down though. They sent a coach to Central's game against Miami Northwestern back in October.
**Al Golden's recruiting plan seems to be coming together. The 2012 class was the foundational class and we have already seen a good amount of those kids make a major impact, with some others gaining a much-needed redshirt year. This year's class, while still not complete, is going to be a great supplementary class to last year's. The numbers are much smaller than last year, but there is a lot of quality in this year's class and not many kids that will be here for "depth" purposes. The 2014 class is shaping up to be the one that could take Miami back to championship-level. The amount of elite talent in the current class of juniors in South Florida is unfathomable. WR Ermon Lane, RB Sony Michel, and Dalvin Cook all have NFL 1st round ability from the skill positions. Chaminade DT Khairi Clark, STA DL Anthony Moten, and Booker T DL Chad Thomas all have Miami out in front right now, which would be an incredible pull. The list of prospects goes on and almost all of them have very high interest in Miami. South Florida has a lot of talent every year, but 2014 is a special group. If Golden can lock that class down to add to what he would have added in the two classes before, this team could be closer to the top than outsiders expect (barring the NCAA absolutely crushing Miami scholarships-wise).
**RB Derrick Green's interest in Miami is legitimate and if he gets on campus for a visit, I would feel confident about the 'Canes chances. Green's top 5 currently consists of Oregon, Michigan, Miami, Auburn, and Tennessee. With coaching turmoil at Auburn and Tennessee, it's tough to see him choosing one of those. That would leave Oregon, Michigan, and the newly-added Miami. There is talk that he likes Oregon, but it may be too far from home. Michigan is the favorite right now, but he also likes the idea of playing down South. Miami RB coach Terry Richardson has been on him really hard for about a month now, ever since Alex Collins really starting wavering. The interesting thing about the whole scenario is that other than Green, no other names have really emerged as far as heavy interest from the Miami side. The staff is inquiring about a few kids, but nothing concrete like Green, which could mean they feel confident about their chances.
**Miami commit Artie Burns is in fact at LSU this weekend for a visit. I don't see this as a huge deal, though. It has been known for some time that he has an interest in LSU and he has said throughout the process that he would still be taking visits. He has a good relationship with the Miami coaches and knows he is in line for early playing time. This will be a situation to monitor, but nothing alarming at the moment. I'll catch up with Burns at some point within the next week about the visit.
**Matthew Thomas has not taken any official visits yet, but will be taking one to both FSU and Miami following his season. He plans to take both of these visits with Denver Kirkland.
