Class Impact: Corey Flagg to Miami

View as article
Good to see some posters actually digging a little deeper than offer list, star rating and 40 time with this commit. This is a big-time pickup.

Change of direction is more important than straight-line speed for LBs, as others have stated. Flagg is legitimately one of the most agile LBs I've ever seen - to strafe laterally or break down for a tackle. He practiced at S this spring and has effortless hips to fluidly cover ground in any direction, moving like a slot corner. He's a major asset in coverage with confidence to time a hit or breakup without panicking.

His diagnostic skills are tremendous and he even mentioned it in his interview. He has no wasted movement even with linemen flying in different directions on misdirection/trap plays. He looks like a 4.7 guy on film but even if he is a 4.9 guy he more than makes up for it with his eyes and lateral quicks.

Maybe the most surprising thing I saw was the clips of him attacking blocks and knocking them back to clear his hands and make a play. That's one of the traits that makes Devin Bush special and I see a lot of similarities between the 2.

For now his biggest flaw is he's small and not a very explosive tackler so I can see him having issues tackling bigger backs between the tackles. His technique is sound and he has a low center of mass so it's just a matter of him getting stronger so he doesn't slip off as easily before he can wrap up.
 
Advertisement
Have had no objection to this offer. Looks faster than his 40 time probably due to his recognition and agility. If we aren't pulling in the Flowes and Sampahs, ill take a guy like this on the inside that can diagnose and change direction with a ton of tackles at a high level of high school ball. I expect to see him making some special teams plays. Should challenge for a starting spot in the 2020 season after shaq is gone with the uncertainty of the guys in front of him as it stands.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Have had no objection to this offer. Looks faster than his 40 time probably due to his recognition and agility. If we aren't pulling in the Flowes and Sampahs, ill take a guy like this on the inside that can diagnose and change direction with a ton of tackles at a high level of high school ball. Not gonna get a ton of burn this year with our veterans but I expect to see him making some special teams plays. Should challenge for a starting spot in the 2020 season after shaq is gone with the uncertainty of the guys in front of him as it stands.
Solid pickup, Now go get hyppolite and tirek Austin cave who are athletic linebackers with great film to finish up the class. Swing for the fences if you can with flowe
 
Advertisement
2020 North Shore (TX) LB Corey Flagg committed to the Hurricanes late last night.



The 5-10 225 pounder is currently a consensus 3-star in the national rankings. According to the 247Sports Composite, Flagg is the #838 player nationally, #34 ILB in the country, and the #112 player in Texas. His commitment keeps Category20 at the #6 class ranking on 247Sports and moves UM up to #4 on Rivals.


The Player

Flagg’s Miami recruitment lasted about 3 months, as he received his UM offer back in mid-March. Oklahoma State was an early leader for Flagg, but Miami did a great job here identifying a prospect they liked at a position of need and quickly convincing him UM was the best place for him on his official visit.

As a captain and defensive leader for defending Texas Class 6A state champion North Shore, he comes from a winning program and has ingrained within him a championship mindset and work ethic that he can bring to practice and workouts day in and day out. During Flagg's junior year of high school, he was highly productive and recorded massive numbers in one of Texas football’s toughest divisions, tallying 144 tackles, 33 TFL, 4 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles in 2018. He landed on first team All-District and second team All-State for his efforts. He also won LB MVP at a loaded Opening Houston Regional in March as well.

Let’s just get this out of the way: at 5-10 and clocked at a 4.92 40 time (both recorded at the Houston Opening Regional), Flagg does not have ideal measurables. However, he plays much faster than his timed speed on film and demonstrates good short area quickness with a 4.40 shuttle. Shows fantastic ability in pass coverage and has no problem sticking with a variety of tight ends down the middle of the field and running backs in the flats, being able to read the QB and sniff out routes as they develop. He's an aggressive presence that loves knifing into the backfield and disrupting the offense before they can even get going. Plays with a ton of energy, twitch, and explosion and is a sure tackler in the open field. Great fit in the middle of a Manny Diaz defense in that he is operating with a high-level football IQ and displays terrific instincts.


The Class

Flagg’s commitment brings the total class numbers to 16 and he is the second true linebacker commit in Category20 along with Largo (FL) 3-star AJ Mathis. Safety commitments Amite (LA) 3-star Daran Branch and South Dade (FL) 3-star Keshawn Washington have the potential to move down to striker linebacker at the next level as well. As we’ve been reporting, Miami is looking to take 4 true linebackers in this class, so there’s still work to be done at the position.

With Dublin (GA) 3-star Romello Height now likely to end up at DE, the Canes have a pretty clear top 2 on their LB board right now. At the top, Miami continues to push hard for Upland (CA) 5-star Justin Flowe. Program sources indicate that the interest coming from Flowe is rising and that he is higher on the Canes than many are reporting right now. To give themselves the best possible chance to land this California stud, though, the Canes are going to have to win in 2018 to give Manny Diaz proof of concept.

The second prospect in the top tier of the LB board is Camden (NJ) 3-star Tirek Austin-Cave, who took an official visit to UM two weekends back. A few different sources felt Miami absolutely knocked it out of the park with Austin-Cave, more so than the typical OV. He was the only official visitor, so he really got the red-carpet treatment. One source directly involved with the visit felt that he would be "shocked" if Austin-Cave didn't end up at Miami.

As such, Miami is really pushing him for a commitment and to shut things down. Austin-Cave took his second OV to West Virginia last weekend, and is going to take his third and final official to Minnesota this week before sitting down with his family to make a decision. The sources feel Miami has moved into the lead and I put in a Miami pick for him late last week. You have to like the spot Miami is in right now.

Despite his commitment to Maryland, McArthur (FL) 3-star Ruben Hyppolite continues to flirt with Miami and visited campus over the weekend. Miami is treating him like a priority right now, and Hyppolite is planning OV’s to Maryland, Penn State, Alabama, and Miami during the fall. Another intriguing name Miami is beginning to pursue is Dr. Phillips (FL) 4-star Stephen Dix, who is also an FSU commit. Dix received his offer late last month and UM is hoping to bring him in for a visit soon.

Pahokee (FL) 3-star Latarie Kinsler is a guy that Miami has been on for some time now and has strong interest in Miami, although I believe the aforementioned names to be higher on the board right now. He is set to take his first OV to Syracuse this weekend. Miami also recently offered South Miami Senior (FL) 3-star Khaya Wright and Dublin (GA) 3-star JaQues Evans, but they’re going to need Miami to miss on a few of these names as well as show out at Paradise Camp to become takes.


The Team

By the time Flagg hits campus in 2020, Miami will have seven total linebackers already on the roster. However, guys like Waynmon Steed and De’Andre Wilder have been non-factors so far due to injury issues, and the rest of the returning LB’s are completely unproven. With Shaq Quaterman, Michael Pinckney, Zach McCloud, and Romeo Finley set to graduate, there will be plenty of playing time available for Flagg to soak up if he proves he’s ready. The Canes are likely going to need a freshman from the 2020 class to step up and fill a role and there’s a chance that guy is Flagg, who is already well built for the college game at 225 pounds and continuing to grow. That likelihood is even higher if he enrolls early for spring ball.



How do you compare him to Andy Garcia at St.Thomas? When I compared their film I found a ton of similarities especially with their IQ.
 
Good to see some posters actually digging a little deeper than offer list, star rating and 40 time with this commit. This is a big-time pickup.

Change of direction is more important than straight-line speed for LBs, as others have stated. Flagg is legitimately one of the most agile LBs I've ever seen - to strafe laterally or break down for a tackle. He practiced at S this spring and has effortless hips to fluidly cover ground in any direction, moving like a slot corner. He's a major asset in coverage with confidence to time a hit or breakup without panicking.

His diagnostic skills are tremendous and he even mentioned it in his interview. He has no wasted movement even with linemen flying in different directions on misdirection/trap plays. He looks like a 4.7 guy on film but even if he is a 4.9 guy he more than makes up for it with his eyes and lateral quicks.

Maybe the most surprising thing I saw was the clips of him attacking blocks and knocking them back to clear his hands and make a play. That's one of the traits that makes Devin Bush special and I see a lot of similarities between the 2.

For now his biggest flaw is he's small and not a very explosive tackler so I can see him having issues tackling bigger backs between the tackles. His technique is sound and he has a low center of mass so it's just a matter of him getting stronger so he doesn't slip off as easily before he can wrap up.


His diagnostic skills are not only tremendous - they're so quick.

He's seeing things a good half second faster than most other LB's - and gets a jump in that manner.

Quick mind - quick reaction.
 
Solid pickup, Now go get hyppolite and tirek Austin cave who are athletic linebackers with great film to finish up the class. Swing for the fences if you can with flowe
Yep, except for the part where I forgot what class he was. definitely not gonna get a ton of burn this year since he won't be here :).
 
His diagnostic skills are not only tremendous - they're so quick.

He's seeing things a good half second faster than most other LB's - and gets a jump in that manner.

Quick mind - quick reaction.

Most important trait for a LB - how quickly he can diagnose the play.
 
Advertisement
I hate to be this guy but this kid unfortunately doesn’t seem to be Miami caliber in my eyes. I’d rather take the Butch Davis approach and find under the radar kids with measurables and athleticism to build on.

That was over 20 years go... Jesus man 247... rivals... these camps at this level on top of being able to easily being able to disperse your highlight tapes to the masses did not exist... meaning what? “Gems” with crazy measurables going under the radar don’t exist man...

And our “gem” like hyppolite is currently committed to Maryland.. that’s a Butch kid. Cmon man get with the times or be left behind

If Flagg was one of only two LBs we took this class along with Mathis yeah I would *****.. but him potentially being maybe the 2nd/3rd best LB we take
 
This is a case where I won't put a ton of stock into his testing numbers, particularly the 40 which has a lot to do with technique. He gets sideline to sideline and twitchy. All you need to see is about 5-6 plays on where he steps up recognizes pass and covers about 17 years for the pass break up. If he were too slow he isn't getting there. Anyone know his vertical?

I'd be fine getting Cave and Ruben and shutting it down

THIS. You want LBs who have good change of direction speed, can diagnose plays, and have fast reaction time. How many times do we really expect LBs to run 40 yards in a straight line? I like the pick up.
 
Advertisement
THIS. You want LBs who have good change of direction speed, can diagnose plays, and have fast reaction time. How many times do we really expect LBs to run 40 yards in a straight line? I like the pick up.
The lack of speed limits your ability. The game is played in space now.
 
Advertisement
Show me a slow guy that's good in coverage.

Gionni Paul (to our chagrin) ended up being a reallll solid college linebacker and that mf'er was the same height and I believe his pre-NFL Draft 40 times were pushing 5 secs.
 
Advertisement
Back
Top