The Bank is back open. Here's the latest as Miami heads into its final official visit weekend:
- The Canes have made progress with several key targets. I like Miami for Top 10 DT James Johnson (Northwestern). War daddy DTs are the most valuable commodity in college football and Johnson would be a hugely impactful addition.
- I also like Miami for Top 10 TE Israel Briggs (Visalia, CA). While LSU's mods questioned whether he would play WR or TE, I'm told the staff is comfortable with his frame as a detached TE in our offense. He announces next Tuesday.
- I don't have the same optimism on WR Calvin Russell (Northwestern). This is my editorial, but he's never seemed to have a lot of enthusiasm for Miami. LSU would be my pick at this stage of the process.
- DT Lamar Brown (Baton Rouge) made some waves for canceling and then un-canceling his LSU visit this weekend. The feeling is that Texas A&M might his first commitment, but this will go down to the end. WR Tristan Keys (Hattiesburg, MS) is even more up in the air and feels like it will have some twists and turns. Miami is right in the thick of it.
- There's still a lot of optimism on RB Derrek Cooper (Chaminade) and he remains an extreme priority. RB Jae Lamar (Colquitt County, GA) had a great Miami visit this past weekend and the interest is real. There's a bit of a balancing act with two top RBs showing heavy interest and commitment Javian Mallory (West Boca) visiting Alabama. Hard to predict how it plays out, but my bet is they take two and that one of those two is Cooper.
- Georgia commit WR Vance Spafford (Orange County, CA) visits Coral Gables this weekend and remains on flip watch. He's a major priority. Miami also loves WR Jasen Lopez (Chaminade). If they both wanted to commit to Miami this weekend, they'd each get a spot. The Canes also love Tennessee commit WR Tyran Evans (Charlotte, NC) as a legit 6'3, 200-pounder with twitch. They have a solid chance even with Tennessee pushing hard to keep him.
- OL Breck Kolojay is visiting USC midweek and finishing up at Tennessee. Him and his family are going through a professional process, but I continue to like Miami for him.
- Miami liked what they saw from Rutgers commit LB JJ Edwards (Orlando) on his visit. They want him and will have a great shot. Another LB to keep an eye on is Tamarion Watkins (Rock Hill, S.C.). South Carolina is the Crystal Ball favorite and he visits Columbia this weekend, but the Canes are still in it and communicating well. The visit will tell the story.
- Clemson made a big move on DT Keyshawn Stancil (Raleigh, NC) but the Canes are still very much alive. That will be a battle over the next couple weeks. Miami is also battling Clemson for S Blake Stewart (Atlanta). He's a top of the board type target and the Canes will have a very good shot.
- I don't see us moving forward with CB Kosci Barnes (Greensboro, NC) or WR Zion Robinson (Dallas, TX). S Cortez Redding (Atlanta) is more of a possibility but I think Stewart is likelier of the two Atlanta safeties.
- Three big-time DEs are visiting this next weekend with Jaquez Wilkes (Wadley, AL), Nolan Wilson (Picayune, MS) and Asharri Charles (Venice, FL). The Canes love all three, and all three have legitimate interest in the Canes. Even though the room is loaded, all three guys are takes. Miami continues to battle for Bryce Perry-Wright (Buford, GA) and Anthony Jones (Mobile, AL) and are legitimate contenders for both.
