Miami has another big visit weekend set up as it continues to push for a top 5 class. Here is the latest I am hearing:
- The Canes are being aggressive in prioritizing top local talent. WR Calvin Russell (Northwestern) visits this weekend and is a major priority regardless of what happens with other top targets. The same is true for next week's visitor, WR Jasen Lopez (Chaminade)- I don't believe he is an either/or with WR Vance Spafford (Orange County, CA) and the Canes want him badly. I continue to like the Canes for elite RB Derrek Cooper (Chaminade).
- The timing worked out with RB commit Javian Mallory (West Boca) visiting Alabama the same weekend that Miami hosts RB Jae Lamar (Colquitt County, GA). The staff will monitor Mallory while recruiting Lamar hard.
- The staff loves new DT commit Tyson Bacon (Hoover, AL). He is extremely respected in Alabama and is known as an athletic and intelligent player with a healthy edge. I continue to like Miami for blue-chip DT Keyshawn Stancil (Raleigh, North Carolina). Miami is also in the mix for Top 10 DTs nationally James Johnson (Fort Myers) and Lamar Brown (Baton Rouge, LA). Of the two, I get more confidence on Johnson. Very good shot there.
- Two names that the staff would love to close on- TE Israel Briggs (Visalia, CA) and Tennessee commit WR Tyran Evans (Charlotte, NC). Briggs just visited LSU but I like Miami's chances to get it done. They believe he is one of the most athletic players in America.
Tennessee is trying hard to hold on to Evans, but he is one of the top players on Miami's board and is described as "twitchy, athletic and big." Evans visited unofficially this spring and Miami has a great shot at a flip. And since people will ask, this is by no means a replacement for WR Tristen Keys (Hattiesburg, MS). Miami remains firmly in the mix there.
- Miami needs to withstand the Georgia visit, but is currently the clear leader for OL Breck Kolojay (IMG) and there is confidence that gets done.
- The staff is extremely confident at the DE position right now, both in recruiting and in the room. Asharri Charles (Venice), Anthony Jones (Mobile), Jaquez Wilkes (Wadley, AL) and Bryce Perry-Wright (Buford, AL) are all in play for limited spots. One name on the team who is having a great offseason- Booker Pickett, Jr.
- One of the highest priority visitors this weekend is S Blake Stewart (Atlanta). He visited twice this spring, we visited him in Atlanta and he is now returning on an OV. He is rising nationally as a prospect and is one of the top players on the board.
- Recent Auburn decommit LB JaMichael Garrett (Baton Rouge, LA) is no longer visiting this weekend as the staff works through some things. However, Rutgers commit JJ Edwards (Orlando) will follow through with his visit and the staff is working to flip.
- CB Brody Jennings (Mandarin) remains firmly in play. So does TE Zachery Turner (Duncanville, TX) following his visit to SMU.
- The staff is monitoring weekend visitors WR Zion Robinson (Dallas, TX), S Cortez Redding (Atlanta) and CB Kosci Barnes (Greensboro, NC).
