**Starting with some good news, there was talk recently that Miami commit suffered a torn ACL and would have to miss significant time. I spoke to Smith tonight and he told me the injury was just a sprain suffered late in his season. He is already working out and plans to arrive at UM at 100% in the summer. I feel like Smith is not talked about enough as an edge rusher and have high hopes for him at Miami. He has been as productive as any player on the defensive side of the ball in South Florida over the past two years, including Chad Thomas.
**As expected, Miami officially offered Chaminade (Ca.) TE/WR Brayden Lenius (6-5, 215). Lenius is very high on Miami and his teammate Brad Kaaya told me that he thinks the Canes have a good shot to land Lenius. He will visit in January most likely with Kaaya. I’ve posted the story before, but Lenius is a senior who just turned 17 and transferred in from Vancouver this season. He missed the team’s first 5 games this season. Here are his highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/944546/highlights/111520400
**Barring something unexpected, it is a long shot that Derrick Griffin will enroll at Miami. ACT scores have been out and we still have not heard anything from his camp. Miami is not expecting him in the class either.
**Following his visit to Miami, the Canes felt good about their chances of landing J.C. Jackson, but the battle for him has trended in Florida State’s direction over the past two weeks. Miami is not out of it, but there is ground to make up. It will be a tough pull.
**A name to keep an eye on at receiver is George Rushing. The Cardinal Gibbons senior is currently a Louisville commit, but told me his options are open and he is willing to listen to Miami. Rushing had a strong senior season and has a very good frame at 6-1, 190. He reminds me a lot of Rashawn Scott coming out of high school. Here are his senior year highlights, which are impressive: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/669555/highlights/61209378?autoplay=1
**After speaking with Champagnat Catholic Head Coach Mike Tunsil tonight, I believe that Miami is still a top choice for Travonte Valentine. Tunsil told me “nearly the whole country has called” since Valentine decommitted from Miami, so the Canes will have to fight off the likes of LSU and Alabama. Tunsil said that Valentine was planning on sticking with Miami until the uncertainty of Al Golden’s status at Miami. Golden needs to explain to Valentine that he is committed to Miami for the long run in order to regain his commitment, according to Tunsil. That full story is coming tonight.
**As expected, Miami officially offered Chaminade (Ca.) TE/WR Brayden Lenius (6-5, 215). Lenius is very high on Miami and his teammate Brad Kaaya told me that he thinks the Canes have a good shot to land Lenius. He will visit in January most likely with Kaaya. I’ve posted the story before, but Lenius is a senior who just turned 17 and transferred in from Vancouver this season. He missed the team’s first 5 games this season. Here are his highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/944546/highlights/111520400
**Barring something unexpected, it is a long shot that Derrick Griffin will enroll at Miami. ACT scores have been out and we still have not heard anything from his camp. Miami is not expecting him in the class either.
**Following his visit to Miami, the Canes felt good about their chances of landing J.C. Jackson, but the battle for him has trended in Florida State’s direction over the past two weeks. Miami is not out of it, but there is ground to make up. It will be a tough pull.
**A name to keep an eye on at receiver is George Rushing. The Cardinal Gibbons senior is currently a Louisville commit, but told me his options are open and he is willing to listen to Miami. Rushing had a strong senior season and has a very good frame at 6-1, 190. He reminds me a lot of Rashawn Scott coming out of high school. Here are his senior year highlights, which are impressive: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/669555/highlights/61209378?autoplay=1
**After speaking with Champagnat Catholic Head Coach Mike Tunsil tonight, I believe that Miami is still a top choice for Travonte Valentine. Tunsil told me “nearly the whole country has called” since Valentine decommitted from Miami, so the Canes will have to fight off the likes of LSU and Alabama. Tunsil said that Valentine was planning on sticking with Miami until the uncertainty of Al Golden’s status at Miami. Golden needs to explain to Valentine that he is committed to Miami for the long run in order to regain his commitment, according to Tunsil. That full story is coming tonight.
