Since the spring is almost here, I wanted to look back at the last time Miami has a good amount of talent - on paper of course - coming on campus. I'll focus on two position groups (QB and WR) since they where extremely bloated relative to the spots they usually take on the roster.
I also started looking at LB, but got sad when I found out that
Gavin Hardin died.
Looking at the film on the WR's we recruited in 2008, the signs where there that they may been overrated at the time. When you look at the OL class we brought in, the high-end kids are killing their contemporaries in all-star games. Now let's see them do it in college.
QB -
4* Jacory Harris - solid starter, gave me a memory for a lifetime when he threw that rainbow to Benjamin at Doak. Led Miami to a 9-4 season and threw for 3k yards. Also threw 17 INT's that single handedly gave away the Clemson and UNC games that year. When he took that hit at UVA, I thought I'd seen the first death in a modern CFB game. Now is a
fire rescue.
3* Taylor Cook - how a guy this big had the softest arm I've ever seen is beyond me. Transferred to Rice and then has seemingly disappeared. I may be spelling the name wrong, but this dude doesn't even have a CFB reference tab.
3* Cannon Smith - never played a meaningful down in Miami, transferred to Memphis. It looks like he jumped on the
green energy train in 2014, but not much out there on him.
WR -
4* Aldarius Johnson - Highest rated of the WR, but perhaps the worst one. Excellent hands, but no ability to separate (even in high school). Runs a training facility and his son is a class of 2026 kid.
4* Davon Johnson - Injuries derailed his time at Miami, but like Johnson, had a hard time getting open at the college level.
Was coaching at FMC, but not sure what he's currently up to.
4* Tommy Streeter - Second best of the bunch, had a break out season as a Jr (posted 800yds and 8 TD's in Folden's constipated offense.Left early and had a cup of coffee in the NFL. Claims to have a super bowl ring, but I'm not sure what he was on the active roster for. I see a few tryouts, but only
2 games in the NFL w/ Jacksonville.
4* Travis Benjamin - Best of the bunch by far, and I thought he was
@DMoney's lover with the way he used to post about him.. Kid could shake loose in a phone booth.
9yr NFL pro who was still running by people in 2021. Not sure if he hung it up, but it looks like he's going to give it another go in 2023.
3* LaRon Byrd - Played well as a Sophomore in spots, but progress slowed as a Jr and apparently got hit by the Al Golden Dim Mak in 2011. Played 2 seasons in the NFL and most recent
was running a non-profit in Louisiana.
3* Thearon Collier - Played well as a Freshman, but then fell off of a cliff as a Sophomore. Transferred to USC, but not sure if he ever got in a season there. Probably smoking a bowl somewhere as I type this.
