**Miami Central offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson might be the most valuable chip in the Canes’ class at the moment. He has been dominant this season at a position of need and will be a day one starter at Miami in all likelihood. OL coach Stacy Searels was at the Central-Booker T. Washington game on Saturday along with Mark Richt. The game featured not only Donaldson, but Florida commit Kadeem Telfort who is a take for Miami right now. There has been some positive buzz regarding the Canes and Telfort, but Miami is not convinced that a flip is imminent. I would classify the Canes’ chances as “work to do, but in the picture”.
The Canes are making progress with American Heritage’s T.J. Slaton, according to a source. Slaton has kept his recruitment close to the vest, but I’ve heard that him and Richt have hit it off and their relationship is strong. Richt has taken a close interest to his recruitment, which could swing things in Miami’s favor. Michigan is Miami’s biggest competitor.
**Running back commitment Robert Burns has been a hot topic amongst Canes fans this season, with the questions being 1) does Miami really want him? 2) why hasnn’t he been getting carries, and 2) will he stick in this class?
To answer the first question, yes, Miami wants him. They haven’t stopped recruiting him as some have suggested and I do not foresee them dropping him.
As far as his touches at Gulliver, I’m told that Burns has been dealing with a high ankle sprain since his team’s season opener and that has limited him. Gulliver has a bye this week and coaches hope that he will be back at full strength soon so they can fully integrate him at that point.
Lastly, I believe he will sign with Miami.
**Another commit that has been dealing with injury this season is South Dade 2018 CB D.J. Ivey, who fractured his foot in the first week of the season.
**UGA commit Latavious Brini has been telling people close to him that he’s going to flip to Miami. The Hurricanes staff is in “believe it til’ we see it” mode though, as they think he could be blowing smoke. Brini was at Miami’s game against FAU. The lengthy cornerback out of Mater Academy was high on Miami’s board until Miramar’s Brian Edwards committed, who is in a similar physical mold as Brini.
**Miami is still evaluating whether or not they will take another linebacker in this class. They currently have two commits in Bradley Jennings, Jr. and Waynmon Steed, who are both solid in their pledge. It would make sense that the Canes take another linebacker considering their depth concerns at the position this season. I get the sense that they just aren’t crazy about a third linebacker right now and whoever they add will be a name that hasn’t emerged yet. As of this time, I do not expect that DeAndre Wilder from Carol City in the class.
**If Miami loses C.J. Henderson to UF, it won’t be for a lack of trying. The coaching staff has made him a priority since January and shown him all the attention he could possibly want. Henderson nearly flipped to UF over the summer before UM coaches talked him out of it. Many assumed that with the Canes adding his high school teammates Trajan Bandy and Josh Jobe, the speedster would be tough to pry away from the class, but Henderson marches to the beat of his own drum and those two might not have as big an impact on him as initially thought. I’d peg him as a UF flip if I had to right now.
The Canes are making progress with American Heritage’s T.J. Slaton, according to a source. Slaton has kept his recruitment close to the vest, but I’ve heard that him and Richt have hit it off and their relationship is strong. Richt has taken a close interest to his recruitment, which could swing things in Miami’s favor. Michigan is Miami’s biggest competitor.
**Running back commitment Robert Burns has been a hot topic amongst Canes fans this season, with the questions being 1) does Miami really want him? 2) why hasnn’t he been getting carries, and 2) will he stick in this class?
To answer the first question, yes, Miami wants him. They haven’t stopped recruiting him as some have suggested and I do not foresee them dropping him.
As far as his touches at Gulliver, I’m told that Burns has been dealing with a high ankle sprain since his team’s season opener and that has limited him. Gulliver has a bye this week and coaches hope that he will be back at full strength soon so they can fully integrate him at that point.
Lastly, I believe he will sign with Miami.
**Another commit that has been dealing with injury this season is South Dade 2018 CB D.J. Ivey, who fractured his foot in the first week of the season.
**UGA commit Latavious Brini has been telling people close to him that he’s going to flip to Miami. The Hurricanes staff is in “believe it til’ we see it” mode though, as they think he could be blowing smoke. Brini was at Miami’s game against FAU. The lengthy cornerback out of Mater Academy was high on Miami’s board until Miramar’s Brian Edwards committed, who is in a similar physical mold as Brini.
**Miami is still evaluating whether or not they will take another linebacker in this class. They currently have two commits in Bradley Jennings, Jr. and Waynmon Steed, who are both solid in their pledge. It would make sense that the Canes take another linebacker considering their depth concerns at the position this season. I get the sense that they just aren’t crazy about a third linebacker right now and whoever they add will be a name that hasn’t emerged yet. As of this time, I do not expect that DeAndre Wilder from Carol City in the class.
**If Miami loses C.J. Henderson to UF, it won’t be for a lack of trying. The coaching staff has made him a priority since January and shown him all the attention he could possibly want. Henderson nearly flipped to UF over the summer before UM coaches talked him out of it. Many assumed that with the Canes adding his high school teammates Trajan Bandy and Josh Jobe, the speedster would be tough to pry away from the class, but Henderson marches to the beat of his own drum and those two might not have as big an impact on him as initially thought. I’d peg him as a UF flip if I had to right now.
