The Canes held their spring game on Saturday, with Team Soffer (the second team offense/first team defense) defeating Team Carol (the first team offense/second team defense), 17-0, in front of an announced crowd of 15,875. As always, the game also doubled as a recruiting event and UM played host to over 40 of the area’s top prospects at Hard Rock Stadium. The recruits and their families watched the game, had a meal, got a chance to get more comfortable with coaches and support staff, and some even participated in the tailgating festivities outside the stadium. While an entire list of the attendees can be found here, we were able to catch up with a few of the players after the fact, and they shared their thoughts on the experience from their eyes.
Class of 2019
Anthony Solomon, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)
“Well, the spring game was great and the players look ready for the season. The coaches were excited to see me. I took my dad to the game and he loved the atmosphere of the entire event.”
As UM’s newest commit, the spring game was Solomon’s first event as an official Hurricane. Did any fans recognize him yet?
“Yeah, a couple of people did, but it wasn’t anything too crazy.”
Jahmar Brown, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)
“It was nice, felt good to be back in Hard Rock watching them in action.”
Brown previously said UM would be in his top group if he had one. Are they still near the top of his recruitment?
“Yes, easily.”
Darius Williams, LB, Miami, FL (Norland)
“It was a great experience. UM showed me and my family a lot of love, they fed us and made sure we was good. I enjoyed my time watching the game and meeting players.”
Willie Gaines, ATH, Cocoa, FL (Cocoa)
“I’m speechless about the visit because yesterday I really felt like I was home and I felt comfortable. I got to meet some of the coaches, that was really cool. I’m looking forward to going back to visit and will most definitely be back. If they was to offer right then and there, I would have committed, that’s how much I loved the visit. One of my favorite schools of all time.”
Class of 2020
Henry Gray, CB, Miami, FL (Miami Central)
“It was great. Miami fans really came out to support and the freshmen played well for their first time in Hard Rock.”
Dominic Mammarelli, TE, Naples, FL (Naples)
“It was great. The tight ends did pretty good. I couldn’t see as much as I wanted, but they looked pretty solid. I think the team in general is pretty solid too, they’re gonna have a good season. I was with Larry (Hodges) the majority of the time, and as I was leaving I saw Avantae (Williams). I got to talk to him for a second, it was my first time meeting him, so that was cool.”
Like Solomon, the spring game was Mammarelli’s first event as an official Hurricane. Did any fans recognize him yet?
“Yeah a couple.”
Samuel Anaele, DE, Miami, FL (Doral Academy)
“It was a pleasant experience, great to see how the offense would do better this year and the defense is getting more solid.”
Marcus Dumervil, OT, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)
“It was great, loved the environment.”
Caziah Holmes, ATH, Cocoa, FL (Cocoa)
“The spring game visit went great, also meeting the coaches and meeting players in my recruiting class was really nice. The best part was when I got to walk around the field and looking and imagining the atmosphere that I could possibly play at.”
When asked where UM is in his mind right now, Holmes had a simple answer.
“Number 1.”
Richie Leonard, OT, Cocoa, FL (Cocoa)
“I had a great time at Miami. It was good to see and talk to the coaching staff again, and I got to enjoy watching the game I love with some of my teammates, so it was an all-around great experience.”
Elijah Roberts, DE, Miami, FL (Columbus)
“The game was good. Great atmosphere, the way the coaches got fired up for big plays was amazing and the way the players competed even in a spring game was fun to watch. In all, a great day.”
Roberts was offered by the Canes 2 weeks back. Are they still in a good spot for him?
“Oh yes sir.”
Jaheem Joseph, CB, Miami, FL (Monsignor Pace)
“It was a great experience getting in contact with the coaches again. I like how the defense was flying around the field. The whole unit was playing fast and physical. You could see the teaching from the coaches reflecting off the team.”
Andy Garcia, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (American Heritage)
“I brought the whole family to the game. They love to tailgate. The recruits were treated great and had great seating for the game. UM is looking like never before: strong, fast, physical!”
Ruben Hyppolite, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (American Heritage)
“The spring game visit was a great experience. Being able to be around my current and former teammates, as well as some of my competitors for this upcoming season, and coming together as one group and aspiring to reach that college level is a blessing.”
Kameron Darville, OL, Miami, FL (Miami Palmetto)
“The game yesterday was great, you can really see why the Canes are one of the top teams in the nation.”
Class of 2021
Jason Marshall, CB, Miami, FL (Miami Palmetto)
“It was a great experience watching the team and how the fans be so much into the game for even a spring game, it was really fun. Had a great time.”
Marcus Tate, OT, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Nova University School)
Tate showed up late and only got to catch the 4th quarter. How did he feel the O-Line did from what he saw?
“Pretty good, the O-Line did a good job I thought. And the players were out there like it was a real game getting hype and playing real aggressive.”
Gaethan Bernadel, LB, Hallandale, FL (Hallandale Magnet)
“Actually, it went great. I loved the atmosphere of the fans and their energy towards the game. I liked the communication on the defensive side of the ball and the enthusiasm of the coaches. Overall, great day.”
Class of 2019
Anthony Solomon, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)
“Well, the spring game was great and the players look ready for the season. The coaches were excited to see me. I took my dad to the game and he loved the atmosphere of the entire event.”
As UM’s newest commit, the spring game was Solomon’s first event as an official Hurricane. Did any fans recognize him yet?
“Yeah, a couple of people did, but it wasn’t anything too crazy.”
Jahmar Brown, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)
“It was nice, felt good to be back in Hard Rock watching them in action.”
Brown previously said UM would be in his top group if he had one. Are they still near the top of his recruitment?
“Yes, easily.”
Darius Williams, LB, Miami, FL (Norland)
“It was a great experience. UM showed me and my family a lot of love, they fed us and made sure we was good. I enjoyed my time watching the game and meeting players.”
Willie Gaines, ATH, Cocoa, FL (Cocoa)
“I’m speechless about the visit because yesterday I really felt like I was home and I felt comfortable. I got to meet some of the coaches, that was really cool. I’m looking forward to going back to visit and will most definitely be back. If they was to offer right then and there, I would have committed, that’s how much I loved the visit. One of my favorite schools of all time.”
Class of 2020
Henry Gray, CB, Miami, FL (Miami Central)
“It was great. Miami fans really came out to support and the freshmen played well for their first time in Hard Rock.”
Dominic Mammarelli, TE, Naples, FL (Naples)
“It was great. The tight ends did pretty good. I couldn’t see as much as I wanted, but they looked pretty solid. I think the team in general is pretty solid too, they’re gonna have a good season. I was with Larry (Hodges) the majority of the time, and as I was leaving I saw Avantae (Williams). I got to talk to him for a second, it was my first time meeting him, so that was cool.”
Like Solomon, the spring game was Mammarelli’s first event as an official Hurricane. Did any fans recognize him yet?
“Yeah a couple.”
Samuel Anaele, DE, Miami, FL (Doral Academy)
“It was a pleasant experience, great to see how the offense would do better this year and the defense is getting more solid.”
Marcus Dumervil, OT, Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas)
“It was great, loved the environment.”
Caziah Holmes, ATH, Cocoa, FL (Cocoa)
“The spring game visit went great, also meeting the coaches and meeting players in my recruiting class was really nice. The best part was when I got to walk around the field and looking and imagining the atmosphere that I could possibly play at.”
When asked where UM is in his mind right now, Holmes had a simple answer.
“Number 1.”
Richie Leonard, OT, Cocoa, FL (Cocoa)
“I had a great time at Miami. It was good to see and talk to the coaching staff again, and I got to enjoy watching the game I love with some of my teammates, so it was an all-around great experience.”
Elijah Roberts, DE, Miami, FL (Columbus)
“The game was good. Great atmosphere, the way the coaches got fired up for big plays was amazing and the way the players competed even in a spring game was fun to watch. In all, a great day.”
Roberts was offered by the Canes 2 weeks back. Are they still in a good spot for him?
“Oh yes sir.”
Jaheem Joseph, CB, Miami, FL (Monsignor Pace)
“It was a great experience getting in contact with the coaches again. I like how the defense was flying around the field. The whole unit was playing fast and physical. You could see the teaching from the coaches reflecting off the team.”
Andy Garcia, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (American Heritage)
“I brought the whole family to the game. They love to tailgate. The recruits were treated great and had great seating for the game. UM is looking like never before: strong, fast, physical!”
Ruben Hyppolite, LB, Fort Lauderdale, FL (American Heritage)
“The spring game visit was a great experience. Being able to be around my current and former teammates, as well as some of my competitors for this upcoming season, and coming together as one group and aspiring to reach that college level is a blessing.”
Kameron Darville, OL, Miami, FL (Miami Palmetto)
“The game yesterday was great, you can really see why the Canes are one of the top teams in the nation.”
Class of 2021
Jason Marshall, CB, Miami, FL (Miami Palmetto)
“It was a great experience watching the team and how the fans be so much into the game for even a spring game, it was really fun. Had a great time.”
Marcus Tate, OT, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Nova University School)
Tate showed up late and only got to catch the 4th quarter. How did he feel the O-Line did from what he saw?
“Pretty good, the O-Line did a good job I thought. And the players were out there like it was a real game getting hype and playing real aggressive.”
Gaethan Bernadel, LB, Hallandale, FL (Hallandale Magnet)
“Actually, it went great. I loved the atmosphere of the fans and their energy towards the game. I liked the communication on the defensive side of the ball and the enthusiasm of the coaches. Overall, great day.”
