It has been well known for the past year that the Miami Hurricanes were in need of top notch defensive tackles to fix their defensive woes. Tonight, they landed one of the best in the nation in 2014 Champagnat defensive tackle Travonte Valentine
“The reason I committed to Miami is because of family. Me and my family were on a visit to Miami and I thought we could just go visit Miami and see how it goes. My mom loved it, family loved it and it was amazing.”
One of the most important factors outside of football for his commitment was the academics.
“When I was visiting with coach Hurlie Brown, before he gave us a tour we all had a long conversation for at least about an hour about academics. He gave us all the details, breaking it down one by one by one.”
Valentine stressed how important the academic side of the university is too him now.
“The academic part stood out before anything else, all I thought about was football, but now all I can think about is academics. I could care less if I don’t play my senior year of football. I’d rather get straight A’s so I can graduate college.”
The 6’4 300 pounder said he spoke directly with head coach Al Golden when he committed and heard the excitement on the other side of the line.
“They’re fired up. Coach Hurlie (Brown) texted Al Golden saying ‘hey “Tray” wants to commit.’. He said ‘tell “Tray” to call me so we can make this official’. He was so fired up (Al Golden), he was jumping up and down and he is ready to get this show on the road.”
While most would figure that the idea of early playing time is another factor that contributed to the Champagnat products pledge, it isn’t the biggest concern for him.
“Not really, it wasn’t a big factor. Even though people always tell me ‘you’re a monster, you’re gonna get playing time no matter what’, but I don’t want to be a freshman to come right away and start. I at least want to be behind somebody for a couple games so I can learn the ropes and see how the game goes.”
Like most other commitment, Valentine is planning on helping out the staff and do his own part in making this class better by recruiting other top prospects.
“I’m gonna try and get a few football players I know like Ermon Lane and Jojo Robinson.”
The top ranked defensive tackle in the nation spoke about the coaching staff and how they are some of the best in the nation.
“Oh, they’re legends in the game. If you coach at Miami, you’re a legend in the game. Miami every year whether or not they have their ups or downs, the university of Miami is a standout college.”
Now that Valentine is committed to Hurricanes, he relieved to shut down the recruiting process and enjoy his senior year.
“I’m not gonna take any visits, it’s official. I’m done with the recruiting process. I enjoyed every college coach and scout and I’m so happy that they tried to recruit me as hard as they can, but I feel like Miami is home.”
Now that he is apart of the class, Valentine has a message for all the Miami fans
“Hey, now every Saturday is gonna be Valentine’s day. Every Thursday night, every bowl game is gonna be Valentine’s day. All the teams we play I’m gonna make them my sweethearts.”
“The reason I committed to Miami is because of family. Me and my family were on a visit to Miami and I thought we could just go visit Miami and see how it goes. My mom loved it, family loved it and it was amazing.”
One of the most important factors outside of football for his commitment was the academics.
“When I was visiting with coach Hurlie Brown, before he gave us a tour we all had a long conversation for at least about an hour about academics. He gave us all the details, breaking it down one by one by one.”
Valentine stressed how important the academic side of the university is too him now.
“The academic part stood out before anything else, all I thought about was football, but now all I can think about is academics. I could care less if I don’t play my senior year of football. I’d rather get straight A’s so I can graduate college.”
The 6’4 300 pounder said he spoke directly with head coach Al Golden when he committed and heard the excitement on the other side of the line.
“They’re fired up. Coach Hurlie (Brown) texted Al Golden saying ‘hey “Tray” wants to commit.’. He said ‘tell “Tray” to call me so we can make this official’. He was so fired up (Al Golden), he was jumping up and down and he is ready to get this show on the road.”
While most would figure that the idea of early playing time is another factor that contributed to the Champagnat products pledge, it isn’t the biggest concern for him.
“Not really, it wasn’t a big factor. Even though people always tell me ‘you’re a monster, you’re gonna get playing time no matter what’, but I don’t want to be a freshman to come right away and start. I at least want to be behind somebody for a couple games so I can learn the ropes and see how the game goes.”
Like most other commitment, Valentine is planning on helping out the staff and do his own part in making this class better by recruiting other top prospects.
“I’m gonna try and get a few football players I know like Ermon Lane and Jojo Robinson.”
The top ranked defensive tackle in the nation spoke about the coaching staff and how they are some of the best in the nation.
“Oh, they’re legends in the game. If you coach at Miami, you’re a legend in the game. Miami every year whether or not they have their ups or downs, the university of Miami is a standout college.”
Now that Valentine is committed to Hurricanes, he relieved to shut down the recruiting process and enjoy his senior year.
“I’m not gonna take any visits, it’s official. I’m done with the recruiting process. I enjoyed every college coach and scout and I’m so happy that they tried to recruit me as hard as they can, but I feel like Miami is home.”
Now that he is apart of the class, Valentine has a message for all the Miami fans
“Hey, now every Saturday is gonna be Valentine’s day. Every Thursday night, every bowl game is gonna be Valentine’s day. All the teams we play I’m gonna make them my sweethearts.”
