It's been a good week for the Canes. Here is the latest on what's next:
- I continue to like Miami for RB Derrek Cooper (Chaminade). It will be a battle, but I can't see the Canes losing this one. The prioritization of Cooper is the main reason RB Jae Lamar (Moultrie, GA) is not a Cane. I expect RB Javian Mallory (West Boca) to stay in the class.
- With that said, Georgia is pushing hard and spending money after James Coley lost WR Vance Spafford (Orange County, CA) to Miami. They're making a real push for DT James Johnson (Northwestern) and, while that's still a fight, Georgia has the momentum.
- I still expect Miami to land TE Zachery Turner (Duncanville, TX), one of my favorite players in the class. Even with TE Israel Briggs (Visalia, CA) and potentially Turner committed, the Canes would still take TE Heze Kent (Brunswick, GA). That's another battle but there is more communication there than I thought.
- The Canes continue to push hard for DT/DE Bryce Perry-Wright (Buford, GA), DE Jaquez Wilkes (Wadley, AL), DE Anthony Jones (Mobile, AL) and DT Nolan WIlson (Picayune, MS). While many have focused on DT Freddie Wilson (Spruce Creek, FL) as an additional DT in the class, I think there's more of a chance that spot goes to Anthony Kennedy (Little Rock, AR). I'm not confident on DT Lamar Brown (Baton Rouge, LA) but hope I'm wrong there.
- The staff loves Spafford and WR Tyran Evans (Charlotte, NC). But they want to add more. I believe WR Tristen Keys (Hattiesburg, MS) is significantly more likely than WR Calvin Russell (Northwestern). That doesn't mean Keys is a lock, but Miami is making an aggressive push there and is squarely in the game.
- The Canes are also ramping up efforts to close OL Breck Kolojay (IMG). I could see that situation coming to a head sooner than later. I would pick the Canes, but it's a true heavyweight battle.
- Michigan commit CB Brody Jennings (Jacksonville, FL), S Devin Jackson (Orlando) and S Blake Stewart (Atlanta) remain the top targets at DB.
- Overall, the internal message is that the staff wants to head into the season at a healthy place, protect their own commits, and close on other team's commits at a rate like 2022-2024 and not 2025. They're confident in the plan, and now it's about execution on and off the field.
