FOOTBALL TEAM
**Fall camp got underway on Saturday and here are some of the major notes to get you caught up to speed:
--Danny Isidora broke his foot, but Golden is cautious to give any more details as to how long he might be out or when he will receive surgery. Early reports suggest he will miss the entire season. Seantrel Henderson and Anthony Chickillo both tweaked ankles, but neither are considered serious. Expect Deon Bush back within the next few days after an offseason hernia surgery and I’m told by a source that there aren’t any lingering issues from his surgery that will limit him going forward.
--A player that has really impressed Golden early is transfer punter/kicker Pat O’Donnell: “If you were to ask me who the most impressive player on the team is after two days, I’d tell you Pat O’Donnell,” said Golden. O’Donnell has one year of eligibility remaining and is also battling for the kickoff specialist spot with Matt Goudis.
--Something that I found interesting from yesterday’s interviews is that Mark D’Onofrio is standing by his “bend, don’t break” philosophy. D’Onofrio says that while the he would like to improve total defense (ranked 116th out of 120 last season), he wants to focus on the scoring defense. I’ll be interested to see how that plays out because that mindset hasn’t been successful the first two years. There are bigger, faster, stronger players in place this year, but I believe D’Onofrio will need to be more aggressive.
--Coach Golden seems as confident as he’s been in his time as Miami, and rightfully so. A lot of people think it’s because the NCAA mess is about to come to a conclusion, but I think it’s more that he knows this team could be very good.
--Maybe the best news of the first few days is that Malcolm Lewis is 100% cleared and looking like his old self. The receivers were already a huge strength on this team and that was without people counting Lewis as a full go. I think people know he’s talented, but also tend to forget he was showing real flashes of that potential in the early part of last season. We know what he can do at the college level and it will be great to see him with a full season.
--As CanesInSight first reported last week, Ernest Suttles is a guy who was targeted as a transfer possibility. There is still a good chance it happens, but there is nothing “official” to report. I have been in contact with his high school coach, and will post as soon as I find something out. Julio Derosier (JUCO), Justin Renfrow (Virginia), and Ufomba Kamalu (JUCO) could be cleared to practice any day. I know there have been multiple confusing reports about whether Derosier has been at practice, but I can confirm he is in Miami.
UPDATE: Ernest Suttles has officially signed with Miami, his high school coach Jason Stokes tells me. Will sit the 2013 season out due to NCAA transfer rules.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
**Brandon Powell’s flip from Tennessee to Miami was the biggest news from over the weekend. Miami solidified their offer to Powell a couple weeks ago, which was really the turning point for the ‘Canes. Hurlie Brown locked in on him and got his man. On the field, Miami is getting a versatile, explosive athlete. Powell told me yesterday that James Coley plans to use him the same way he will use Duke Johnson. The upside with Powell is that he could also play corner if needed, and that is not out of the question if Miami could still land Dalvin Cook to go with Joseph Yearby.
**The major question stemming from Powell’s commitment is whether or not the staff would take Braxton Berrios. From my understanding, Berrios is still a take and I spoke to Berrios following Powell’s commitment. He re-affirmed his intentions to officially visit Miami for the weekend of September 7th and says he plans on making his final choice either shortly following that or in early October. Both Powell and Berrios are early enrollees. Based on my conversations with him, Miami is in good shape for him unless they stop recruiting him for whatever reason.
**Although Carol City commit Trayone Gray told CanesInSight last month that he was confident he would qualify for Miami, I’m told there is a lot of work that needs to be done for him to be at Miami straight out of high school. A source close to Gray told me that Louisville is a school that Gray would listen to if they showed interest.
**A situation that will be interesting to monitor the next few weeks is Rashard Robinson and LSU. Robinson is a class of 2013 recruit who signed with the Tigers, but has yet to qualify and a source told me early in the summer that Prep school was an option. If Robinson does in fact go prep, I fully expect Miami to make a run at him. Paul Williams absolutely loved Robinson’s upside and the Ely product took two unofficial visits to Miami in December and January. I remember Jamal Carter telling me after his visit that he felt like Robinson would flip to Miami.
**The last couple of days, there have been a few questions on if UCLA is now a player for Brad Kaaya due to the fact that Kaaya’s teammate JoJo McIntosh committed to the Bruins over the weekend. First off, UCLA has not offered Kaaya. Secondly, his parents have been very open about their family’s commitment to Miami, which is evident by his father’s comments here: http://www.canesinsight.com/threads...-Canes-(Part-II)-by-Steve-Kim?highlight=kaaya and his mother’s twitter recruiting. Some people have also asked about Kaaya removing “Miami commit” from his Twitter bio, and he told me, “Wow lol I don't think I should have to remind everyone anymore that I'm committed or put my ranking and everything in my bio cause everyone knows.” There is no such thing as a stone cold lock in recruiting, but Kaaya is as firm as it gets in this class.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
**Today was the first day that teams could practice in the state of Florida, and I should be making the rounds at practices over the next few weeks, so be on the lookout for a lot of high school team and prospect info in the coming weeks.
**The kickoff weekend of high school football starts off with a bang, as Dwyer plays Central on the 23rd (Fox Sports Florida). Booker T. Washington will play against Norcross on the 24th live on ESPN. Then on Sunday the 25th, ESPN will televise the double-header of Homestead-University School (11 AM) and American Heritage-Cypress Bay (3 PM). Both games will be played at Cypress Bay.
**A team that I really like this year is South Dade. People know about Kentucky WR commit Tyre Brady, but Antwan Cordy is one of the most electric players in the country, FSU commit CJ Worton is a reliable and productive target at receiver, and Homestead transfers Mario Mezier and Johnnie Hankins are big additions to the squad. 2015 LB Doyle “Biggie” Grimes (Jamal Carter’s blood brother) should have a breakout season. Killian was the team that really took off down South last season, but I like South Dade to make a run.
BASKETBALL
**After giving it a run with the Spurs Summer League team, former Cane Durand Scott has decided to play with Blusens Monbus Obradoiro of Spain’s ACB. This is one of the best leagues in the world. Scott will also play for the Jamaican National Team during FIBA competition.
**After announcing a top 6 last week, 2014 Oldsmar Christian SG Troy Holston is down to two schools, Miami and USF. Holston will visit South Florida this week and Miami next week. I asked 2014 commit Adonys Henriquez today if he thought Holston would choose Miami and he said “probably not”.
**Coincidentally, right after I received that text from Henriquez, Dave Telep of ESPN reported that Miami had received a commitment from 6’5” SG James Palmer of St. John’s College High in D.C.
“On @espnu we just reported James Palmer to Miami. Late bloomer, young SR and strong addition for the Hurricanes”- @DaveTelep
OTHER
**For those who care, former ‘Cane tight end Corey White will use his final year of eligibility at FIU. White had an injury-plagued career at Miami, but I’m told he will be a contributor for the Golden Panthers this season.
**Ray Ray Armstrong has reportedly been looking good at his new outside linebacker position for the St. Louis Rams. Last week, Armstrong got some reps with the 2nd-team defense. Here is a video of Armstrong making a nice play in practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4-vJ9RXjeE
**Fall camp got underway on Saturday and here are some of the major notes to get you caught up to speed:
--Danny Isidora broke his foot, but Golden is cautious to give any more details as to how long he might be out or when he will receive surgery. Early reports suggest he will miss the entire season. Seantrel Henderson and Anthony Chickillo both tweaked ankles, but neither are considered serious. Expect Deon Bush back within the next few days after an offseason hernia surgery and I’m told by a source that there aren’t any lingering issues from his surgery that will limit him going forward.
--A player that has really impressed Golden early is transfer punter/kicker Pat O’Donnell: “If you were to ask me who the most impressive player on the team is after two days, I’d tell you Pat O’Donnell,” said Golden. O’Donnell has one year of eligibility remaining and is also battling for the kickoff specialist spot with Matt Goudis.
--Something that I found interesting from yesterday’s interviews is that Mark D’Onofrio is standing by his “bend, don’t break” philosophy. D’Onofrio says that while the he would like to improve total defense (ranked 116th out of 120 last season), he wants to focus on the scoring defense. I’ll be interested to see how that plays out because that mindset hasn’t been successful the first two years. There are bigger, faster, stronger players in place this year, but I believe D’Onofrio will need to be more aggressive.
--Coach Golden seems as confident as he’s been in his time as Miami, and rightfully so. A lot of people think it’s because the NCAA mess is about to come to a conclusion, but I think it’s more that he knows this team could be very good.
--Maybe the best news of the first few days is that Malcolm Lewis is 100% cleared and looking like his old self. The receivers were already a huge strength on this team and that was without people counting Lewis as a full go. I think people know he’s talented, but also tend to forget he was showing real flashes of that potential in the early part of last season. We know what he can do at the college level and it will be great to see him with a full season.
--As CanesInSight first reported last week, Ernest Suttles is a guy who was targeted as a transfer possibility. There is still a good chance it happens, but there is nothing “official” to report. I have been in contact with his high school coach, and will post as soon as I find something out. Julio Derosier (JUCO), Justin Renfrow (Virginia), and Ufomba Kamalu (JUCO) could be cleared to practice any day. I know there have been multiple confusing reports about whether Derosier has been at practice, but I can confirm he is in Miami.
UPDATE: Ernest Suttles has officially signed with Miami, his high school coach Jason Stokes tells me. Will sit the 2013 season out due to NCAA transfer rules.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
**Brandon Powell’s flip from Tennessee to Miami was the biggest news from over the weekend. Miami solidified their offer to Powell a couple weeks ago, which was really the turning point for the ‘Canes. Hurlie Brown locked in on him and got his man. On the field, Miami is getting a versatile, explosive athlete. Powell told me yesterday that James Coley plans to use him the same way he will use Duke Johnson. The upside with Powell is that he could also play corner if needed, and that is not out of the question if Miami could still land Dalvin Cook to go with Joseph Yearby.
**The major question stemming from Powell’s commitment is whether or not the staff would take Braxton Berrios. From my understanding, Berrios is still a take and I spoke to Berrios following Powell’s commitment. He re-affirmed his intentions to officially visit Miami for the weekend of September 7th and says he plans on making his final choice either shortly following that or in early October. Both Powell and Berrios are early enrollees. Based on my conversations with him, Miami is in good shape for him unless they stop recruiting him for whatever reason.
**Although Carol City commit Trayone Gray told CanesInSight last month that he was confident he would qualify for Miami, I’m told there is a lot of work that needs to be done for him to be at Miami straight out of high school. A source close to Gray told me that Louisville is a school that Gray would listen to if they showed interest.
**A situation that will be interesting to monitor the next few weeks is Rashard Robinson and LSU. Robinson is a class of 2013 recruit who signed with the Tigers, but has yet to qualify and a source told me early in the summer that Prep school was an option. If Robinson does in fact go prep, I fully expect Miami to make a run at him. Paul Williams absolutely loved Robinson’s upside and the Ely product took two unofficial visits to Miami in December and January. I remember Jamal Carter telling me after his visit that he felt like Robinson would flip to Miami.
**The last couple of days, there have been a few questions on if UCLA is now a player for Brad Kaaya due to the fact that Kaaya’s teammate JoJo McIntosh committed to the Bruins over the weekend. First off, UCLA has not offered Kaaya. Secondly, his parents have been very open about their family’s commitment to Miami, which is evident by his father’s comments here: http://www.canesinsight.com/threads...-Canes-(Part-II)-by-Steve-Kim?highlight=kaaya and his mother’s twitter recruiting. Some people have also asked about Kaaya removing “Miami commit” from his Twitter bio, and he told me, “Wow lol I don't think I should have to remind everyone anymore that I'm committed or put my ranking and everything in my bio cause everyone knows.” There is no such thing as a stone cold lock in recruiting, but Kaaya is as firm as it gets in this class.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
**Today was the first day that teams could practice in the state of Florida, and I should be making the rounds at practices over the next few weeks, so be on the lookout for a lot of high school team and prospect info in the coming weeks.
**The kickoff weekend of high school football starts off with a bang, as Dwyer plays Central on the 23rd (Fox Sports Florida). Booker T. Washington will play against Norcross on the 24th live on ESPN. Then on Sunday the 25th, ESPN will televise the double-header of Homestead-University School (11 AM) and American Heritage-Cypress Bay (3 PM). Both games will be played at Cypress Bay.
**A team that I really like this year is South Dade. People know about Kentucky WR commit Tyre Brady, but Antwan Cordy is one of the most electric players in the country, FSU commit CJ Worton is a reliable and productive target at receiver, and Homestead transfers Mario Mezier and Johnnie Hankins are big additions to the squad. 2015 LB Doyle “Biggie” Grimes (Jamal Carter’s blood brother) should have a breakout season. Killian was the team that really took off down South last season, but I like South Dade to make a run.
BASKETBALL
**After giving it a run with the Spurs Summer League team, former Cane Durand Scott has decided to play with Blusens Monbus Obradoiro of Spain’s ACB. This is one of the best leagues in the world. Scott will also play for the Jamaican National Team during FIBA competition.
**After announcing a top 6 last week, 2014 Oldsmar Christian SG Troy Holston is down to two schools, Miami and USF. Holston will visit South Florida this week and Miami next week. I asked 2014 commit Adonys Henriquez today if he thought Holston would choose Miami and he said “probably not”.
**Coincidentally, right after I received that text from Henriquez, Dave Telep of ESPN reported that Miami had received a commitment from 6’5” SG James Palmer of St. John’s College High in D.C.
“On @espnu we just reported James Palmer to Miami. Late bloomer, young SR and strong addition for the Hurricanes”- @DaveTelep
OTHER
**For those who care, former ‘Cane tight end Corey White will use his final year of eligibility at FIU. White had an injury-plagued career at Miami, but I’m told he will be a contributor for the Golden Panthers this season.
**Ray Ray Armstrong has reportedly been looking good at his new outside linebacker position for the St. Louis Rams. Last week, Armstrong got some reps with the 2nd-team defense. Here is a video of Armstrong making a nice play in practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4-vJ9RXjeE
