Miami’s biggest recruiting camp of the summer is in the books. There was a lot to like about the camp, but there were a few things that weren’t great.
The Good
The Enthusiasm- Whether it was the current players, the current coaches, the former players, or the campers themselves, everyone was very into the event and having a good time. Everytime a receiver made a huge play, Mike Harley, Brian Hightower, and Coach Dugans were all out there celebrating with the prospect. When a defender would make a play, Bandy was the first one out there hyping up the recruit. This made the camp fun and will leave a lasting memory in the minds of these high schoolers.
The current players involvement- While most of the former players were there to observe not coach, the current players were willing to coach the prospects. Two players that really stood out in this aspect were Shaq Quarterman and Deejay Dallas. Everytime a linebacker ran through a drill, Shaq talked to them after and gave them something to work on for next time. While I was watching the recievers, I could hear Coach Diaz on the next field over constantly yelling “Shaq, coach them up.” While the receivers and defensive backs were going through, Dallas sat in the endzone observing. Then, after nearly every play, Dallas walked up to the receiver and either congratulated them on making a play or coached them up on something to do next time.
The current players recruiting- I had to include this simply as a shout-out to Mike Harley and Greg Rousseau. Every defensive lineman I talk to knows Greg Rousseau. The kid gets around. Not only do players like him as a person, they see how much better he has gotten since arriving on campus. Players see what Coach Gus has been able to do with him in the weight room and what Coach Simpson has done with his technique and they are very impressed. As for Mike Harley, the kid never stops recruiting. He is a big reason we have so many current commits from Aquinas. Let’s not forget the fact that with Jaden Davis and Derek Wingo, two kids who I do not even expect to sign with Miami, he got them to throw up “The U” in a Gators uniform. As for his current recruiting, it appears Harley has made Marcus Rosemy his next target. Everytime Rosemy made a play it was Harley out there hyping him up. After every single rep Rosemy had, Harley was talking to him and coaching him up. If Rosemy ends up joining an already loaded receivers class in 2020, Mike Harley will deserve some credit.
The Bad
Current commits not playing- A guy like Jarvis Brownlee has been doubted by the fan base since he committed. Many people feel like he might not be a Miami caliber player. At Paradise Camp, Brownlee had a chance to change this. With this golden opportunity in front of him, he decided not to compete. Another commit who did not compete was Dominic Mammarelli. This was not the first time Mammarelli drove down for a camp and did not compete. Brownlee is going to need a strong senior season to keep his spot in this class, especially after Cornelius Nunn did compete and showed out.
Former players not involved enough - I can not speak to what happened before the camp started since it was not open to the media, but during the actual camp, the former players were not involved enough. I didn't even notice most of the Canes legends during the camp. Aside from Warren Sapp with the defensive linemen, I did not see anyone really that involved. Unlike previous years, the former players did not give a closing speech. Ed Reed and Michael Irvin have made headlines in the past with their closing speeches, but nobody had that opportunity this year.
The Good
The Enthusiasm- Whether it was the current players, the current coaches, the former players, or the campers themselves, everyone was very into the event and having a good time. Everytime a receiver made a huge play, Mike Harley, Brian Hightower, and Coach Dugans were all out there celebrating with the prospect. When a defender would make a play, Bandy was the first one out there hyping up the recruit. This made the camp fun and will leave a lasting memory in the minds of these high schoolers.
The current players involvement- While most of the former players were there to observe not coach, the current players were willing to coach the prospects. Two players that really stood out in this aspect were Shaq Quarterman and Deejay Dallas. Everytime a linebacker ran through a drill, Shaq talked to them after and gave them something to work on for next time. While I was watching the recievers, I could hear Coach Diaz on the next field over constantly yelling “Shaq, coach them up.” While the receivers and defensive backs were going through, Dallas sat in the endzone observing. Then, after nearly every play, Dallas walked up to the receiver and either congratulated them on making a play or coached them up on something to do next time.
The current players recruiting- I had to include this simply as a shout-out to Mike Harley and Greg Rousseau. Every defensive lineman I talk to knows Greg Rousseau. The kid gets around. Not only do players like him as a person, they see how much better he has gotten since arriving on campus. Players see what Coach Gus has been able to do with him in the weight room and what Coach Simpson has done with his technique and they are very impressed. As for Mike Harley, the kid never stops recruiting. He is a big reason we have so many current commits from Aquinas. Let’s not forget the fact that with Jaden Davis and Derek Wingo, two kids who I do not even expect to sign with Miami, he got them to throw up “The U” in a Gators uniform. As for his current recruiting, it appears Harley has made Marcus Rosemy his next target. Everytime Rosemy made a play it was Harley out there hyping him up. After every single rep Rosemy had, Harley was talking to him and coaching him up. If Rosemy ends up joining an already loaded receivers class in 2020, Mike Harley will deserve some credit.
The Bad
Current commits not playing- A guy like Jarvis Brownlee has been doubted by the fan base since he committed. Many people feel like he might not be a Miami caliber player. At Paradise Camp, Brownlee had a chance to change this. With this golden opportunity in front of him, he decided not to compete. Another commit who did not compete was Dominic Mammarelli. This was not the first time Mammarelli drove down for a camp and did not compete. Brownlee is going to need a strong senior season to keep his spot in this class, especially after Cornelius Nunn did compete and showed out.
Former players not involved enough - I can not speak to what happened before the camp started since it was not open to the media, but during the actual camp, the former players were not involved enough. I didn't even notice most of the Canes legends during the camp. Aside from Warren Sapp with the defensive linemen, I did not see anyone really that involved. Unlike previous years, the former players did not give a closing speech. Ed Reed and Michael Irvin have made headlines in the past with their closing speeches, but nobody had that opportunity this year.
