On Saturday, Nike Football's 'The Opening Regional' took over the campus of American Heritage-Plantation as some of the top talent from across the state came to show their skills and hopefully earn the golden ticket to attend Nike's 'The Opening'.
I spoke with numerous 'Canes recruits at the camp and below are their thoughts.
2016 Dwyer (Fla.) WR Isaiah Johnson (Miami commit):
"It's great to be committed to your hometown team you know," said Johnson. Johnson was originally committed to Louisville but chose to pledge to the Hurricanes a few weeks ago. "They have such a history. They have so many great players that have come through there and me having the chance to come through and fill their shoes is great. I mean I grew up watching the 'Canes and that's just my dream team." When asked about the 'Canes tremendous 2016 class known as the #Swag16, Johnson responded with "Yeah, I like it. We're pretty stacked right now (laughs). Johnson also happens to be high school teammates with 2017 Miami commit Todd Centeio whom Johnson loves. "It's great you know because when we get down there we'll already have that connection from high school and that will help us both."
2016 Santaluces (Fla.) OLB Zach McCloud (Miami commit):
McCloud has been committed to Miami since mid-November and has been one of the more vocal members of the #Swag16 recruiting class. "I love the class so far. Knowing that I'm apart of it is a huge confidence booster when I'm on the field," said McCloud. "I don't know of any guys I'm going to be recruiting to come with me because if you don't want to be a part of Miami you shouldn't go there. I shouldn't have to urge them along." The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder looked really good throughout the day as he showcased his skills. What made McCloud choose Miami so early in the process? "Well I've got a lot of family in Miami and I can see that they are on the come-up." McCloud is ecstatic about playing for the 'Canes and when he gets there he is expected to be used as a Sam.
2017 Gulliver Prep (Fla.) RB Robert Burns (Miami commit):
Burns, who committed to Miami this past week, came to Saturday's camp still excited about being committing to the home-town 'Canes. "One of my former coaches is there which I took into consideration, I took the business program into consideration, but the biggest factor was I prayed on and I got the OK from God," said Burns. Burns will be working hard in the off-season to improve on his overall knowledge of the game he said. "I love our recruiting classes, I really do. We got some top ten talent and we all have that tenacity about us you know. As long as they sign to Miami, we'll be good." Perhaps the highlight of the day though was Burns getting coached up by former Miami Hurricane and NFL great, Edgerrin James. "Edge" gave Burns some pointers when it comes to footwork and blocking for his quarterback.
2016 Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) DB Devin Studstill:
"I've gotten a lot of big offers lately and I'm just enjoying the process," said Studstill. "I plan on going to West Virginia, Penn State, and I'll definitely be back at Miami again." The Canes have offered the rising senior and are making him a priority. "I like the 'Canes a lot because it's all love with them. I talk to them almost everyday. I was down there for a Junior day not too long ago and the coaches want me to end up playing safety there." Studstill also explained to me how he had been following the 'Canes recent recruiting success. "Oh yeah, I've been following it. We've been getting a lot of good linebackers and offensive lineman just some real good guys to play behind."
2016 Coconut Creek (Fla.) OLB Alexy Jean Baptiste:
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker has blown up this offseason as he recently brought in offers from Miami, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, and West Virginia among a handful of others. He says he plans to attend Miami's spring game. "I'm looking for a school that fits me perfect and somewhere with a good criminal justice program." He has no leader early on in his recruitment.
2017 Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) OT Kai-Leon Herbert:
Herbert was offered by Miami this past week and he finally received what he described as his "dream offer." "The offer means so much," said Herbert "It really is a dream come true. I love the players and I love coach Golden. Everything is really nice over there." Herbert later went on to say that even if and when he adds new offers, Miami will remain number one in his recruitment. "Our 2016 and 2017 classes are looking great. We got another good commit yesterday in Kadeem (Telfort) and I'm really looking forward to working with him."
2016 American Heritage-Plantation (Fla.) DE Brian Burns:
Burns has a offer from Miami and added offers from Georgia, Florida, and Florida State this past week. "Georgia wants to use me in a variety of ways," said Burns. "I really like how the FSU coaches were genuine and kept it real with me." For Miami, they remain in contact with Burns but he says he has yet to talk with the new defensive line coach Kareem Brown. Plans to take visits to South Carolina , LSU, and Clemson this spring.
2017 Miami Norland (Fla.) OL Kadeem Telfort (Miami commit):
The brand new Miami Hurricane commit came into Saturday's event just 24 hours removed from officially committing to his dream school and was ready to make his presence felt. "It's so great to be committed because it has been my dream school since I was a kid," said Telfort. "We have got a lot of great talent so far in south Florida and maybe when we all get down on campus we can get some great team chemistry and possibly become one of the best teams in the nation."
2017 Miramar (Fla.) DB Brian Edwards:
Edwards recently de-committed from the Louisville Cardinals to "open things up". However, the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder says Louisville remains atop his favorites with Miami not far behind. "The coaches from UM tell me that I'm a good kid and a great long corner," said Edwards. "I feel like I would fit in (at Miami). I mean Tracy Howard went there so why not. Tracy and I are both long and have great footwork so I feel like I could compare myself to him."
2017 Miramar (Fla.) WR Lavarus Tigner: The 6-foot-2, 180-pound wideout is working hard this offseason to rack up a few offers but early on in the process he holds offers from Miami, FIU, and Temple. Remember this name.
I spoke with numerous 'Canes recruits at the camp and below are their thoughts.
2016 Dwyer (Fla.) WR Isaiah Johnson (Miami commit):
"It's great to be committed to your hometown team you know," said Johnson. Johnson was originally committed to Louisville but chose to pledge to the Hurricanes a few weeks ago. "They have such a history. They have so many great players that have come through there and me having the chance to come through and fill their shoes is great. I mean I grew up watching the 'Canes and that's just my dream team." When asked about the 'Canes tremendous 2016 class known as the #Swag16, Johnson responded with "Yeah, I like it. We're pretty stacked right now (laughs). Johnson also happens to be high school teammates with 2017 Miami commit Todd Centeio whom Johnson loves. "It's great you know because when we get down there we'll already have that connection from high school and that will help us both."
2016 Santaluces (Fla.) OLB Zach McCloud (Miami commit):
McCloud has been committed to Miami since mid-November and has been one of the more vocal members of the #Swag16 recruiting class. "I love the class so far. Knowing that I'm apart of it is a huge confidence booster when I'm on the field," said McCloud. "I don't know of any guys I'm going to be recruiting to come with me because if you don't want to be a part of Miami you shouldn't go there. I shouldn't have to urge them along." The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder looked really good throughout the day as he showcased his skills. What made McCloud choose Miami so early in the process? "Well I've got a lot of family in Miami and I can see that they are on the come-up." McCloud is ecstatic about playing for the 'Canes and when he gets there he is expected to be used as a Sam.
2017 Gulliver Prep (Fla.) RB Robert Burns (Miami commit):
Burns, who committed to Miami this past week, came to Saturday's camp still excited about being committing to the home-town 'Canes. "One of my former coaches is there which I took into consideration, I took the business program into consideration, but the biggest factor was I prayed on and I got the OK from God," said Burns. Burns will be working hard in the off-season to improve on his overall knowledge of the game he said. "I love our recruiting classes, I really do. We got some top ten talent and we all have that tenacity about us you know. As long as they sign to Miami, we'll be good." Perhaps the highlight of the day though was Burns getting coached up by former Miami Hurricane and NFL great, Edgerrin James. "Edge" gave Burns some pointers when it comes to footwork and blocking for his quarterback.
2016 Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) DB Devin Studstill:
"I've gotten a lot of big offers lately and I'm just enjoying the process," said Studstill. "I plan on going to West Virginia, Penn State, and I'll definitely be back at Miami again." The Canes have offered the rising senior and are making him a priority. "I like the 'Canes a lot because it's all love with them. I talk to them almost everyday. I was down there for a Junior day not too long ago and the coaches want me to end up playing safety there." Studstill also explained to me how he had been following the 'Canes recent recruiting success. "Oh yeah, I've been following it. We've been getting a lot of good linebackers and offensive lineman just some real good guys to play behind."
2016 Coconut Creek (Fla.) OLB Alexy Jean Baptiste:
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker has blown up this offseason as he recently brought in offers from Miami, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, and West Virginia among a handful of others. He says he plans to attend Miami's spring game. "I'm looking for a school that fits me perfect and somewhere with a good criminal justice program." He has no leader early on in his recruitment.
2017 Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) OT Kai-Leon Herbert:
Herbert was offered by Miami this past week and he finally received what he described as his "dream offer." "The offer means so much," said Herbert "It really is a dream come true. I love the players and I love coach Golden. Everything is really nice over there." Herbert later went on to say that even if and when he adds new offers, Miami will remain number one in his recruitment. "Our 2016 and 2017 classes are looking great. We got another good commit yesterday in Kadeem (Telfort) and I'm really looking forward to working with him."
2016 American Heritage-Plantation (Fla.) DE Brian Burns:
Burns has a offer from Miami and added offers from Georgia, Florida, and Florida State this past week. "Georgia wants to use me in a variety of ways," said Burns. "I really like how the FSU coaches were genuine and kept it real with me." For Miami, they remain in contact with Burns but he says he has yet to talk with the new defensive line coach Kareem Brown. Plans to take visits to South Carolina , LSU, and Clemson this spring.
2017 Miami Norland (Fla.) OL Kadeem Telfort (Miami commit):
The brand new Miami Hurricane commit came into Saturday's event just 24 hours removed from officially committing to his dream school and was ready to make his presence felt. "It's so great to be committed because it has been my dream school since I was a kid," said Telfort. "We have got a lot of great talent so far in south Florida and maybe when we all get down on campus we can get some great team chemistry and possibly become one of the best teams in the nation."
2017 Miramar (Fla.) DB Brian Edwards:
Edwards recently de-committed from the Louisville Cardinals to "open things up". However, the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder says Louisville remains atop his favorites with Miami not far behind. "The coaches from UM tell me that I'm a good kid and a great long corner," said Edwards. "I feel like I would fit in (at Miami). I mean Tracy Howard went there so why not. Tracy and I are both long and have great footwork so I feel like I could compare myself to him."
2017 Miramar (Fla.) WR Lavarus Tigner: The 6-foot-2, 180-pound wideout is working hard this offseason to rack up a few offers but early on in the process he holds offers from Miami, FIU, and Temple. Remember this name.
