Here's what I know on Mark Matthews...

[Calinative]

OT is interesting cause entering this spring I would have said both Congdon and Ervin should get shots at OT FIRST before moving to guard. But Congdon looks like he gained a **** load of mass and has been working in at Guard. Idk if he has the movement to stick at OT, or honest even what his actual weight is. I've just seen his picture and he looked huge. If he has the feet to be OT Id 100% be looking for him to be competitive for RT next yr.

The interesting thing nobody likely considers is if Samson Okunlola decides to return. Its entirely possible he basically follows the EXACT path Matt McCoy just took - 2 yrs as LG (splitting reps) then moving to RT. Samson can return another year if he wants to. And may see a lot of value in raising his draft stock in doing so if staff thinks he can play OT at a high level after McCoy leaves.

Ervin is a total TBD given his injury. And obviously Meriweather should be assumed to be in the mix especially for next season. And apparently staff likes Wilkerson but I think he's prob on same level as Minaya at Guard. Where like it'd probably be fine if we played him, but he's still another yr or two away...

Either way I'm not having any concern at Guard. Especially not after this upcoming recruiting class if we land Jatori Williams and Sean Tatum.

Center next yr is either SJ or Buchanan sliding in or portal. I don't expect that to be a big deal...

So in summation, losing Mathews isn't close to the end of the world. Obviously landing him would be a massive Win. But if we pivot to like Sam-Epelle and go all in on landing top DLineman (NEED 2 top Edges and Muhammad at DT since we miss on Folorunsho imo!)

 

[CT Cane 44]

I think Matthews is being severely impacted by Cantwell starting at LT. Say what you want but if you put Matthews on a lie detector I think he would admit that he wants to play LT in college and he knows he will not play the position at UM. He may not play LT at TAMU either, but at least they can promise him that he will. UM can’t even effectively lie because it’s obvious with Cantwell where he will be playing for 3 years barring injury.

And for the crowd that thinks position on the Oline should not matter, well that’s easy for you to say. But it may matter a lot to Matthews. And if it does, I don’t think even Mario can close this deal.

Cantwell wasent an issue to him and won’t be. Cantwell isn’t why he may not come.

 

[E1k]

If Matthews goes to TAMU that gives them 4 OT in this class. If the ship sailed with Olu and/or Sam-Eppelle Go poach one of those OT’s and develop him into a 1st rounder. Then use the savings on DJ Jacobs along with a top 10 DT

Reminds me when hella dlineman and dbs went there, its almost like their pitch is you get more money if all of you come lmao

 

[CaryLucas_23]

1. Do we need him from a roster standpoint, absolutely not. Cantwell, McCoy, Congdon, others and future hs and portal kids, the list goes on. Do we really even need him for optics of positional forte + backyard, eh? It's not like we're not going to have a top OL and continue to churn out prospects. More just the question of why would a kid who plays the position the HC and OL coach are notoriously the best in, lives in the backyard, and now the U is "here" want to leave? And it doesn't make sense to the staff either.

2. Mario and staff have stressed taking kids "who want to be Canes." More than that, I don't care how many stars or future top pick projections you have. If you think you don't NEED to be coached by these 2, then WE DON'T NEED YOU. Will he be a top pick? Maybe? Statistically probably not. If being a first round pick is the ultimate goal, and you think you don't need the best coaching to get there, and instead want to go to the middle of nowhere to play for Mike Elko???????

It blows but come fall and post NSD we may never think of him again. Staff is building something special and the "backup" plans will work out just as fine.

I'm also eager to hear D$'s and others' 2c on how this finalized

 

[jtwist89]

There's a reason Jimmy, Butch and Mario all recruited nationally, and did it to great success. The "State of Miami" myth is just that. There is a lot of talent in South Florida(and Miami should concentrate a ton of energy in the area, because it's home), but it's almost impossible to keep all the elite kids home, it's more difficult than other states, where the elite kids rarely leave. You NEVER see hyper elite kids leave Georgia, unless UGA is complete crap. You rarely see elite kids in Louisiana leave, unless LSU is a greasefire(Warrick Dunn). Texas kids end up staying in Texas, at worst they end up at OU.

Even when things are going well at Miami, local kids will find a way to leave, to head to the more traditional programs. In previous generations, it was the concept of getting a bag that Miami couldn't offer without the NCAA breathing down our necks, today it's "I want to see something different".

UGA is a bad example. They lose 5 stars all the time. Look up the top players in GA the last 5 years. Look at this year. There not even really a threat for Jacobs. That’s 1 area I wish we would recruit harder. Lot of top kids in Texas end up at LSU. We’re not the only ones. LSU is the 1 school that makes almost impossible to get elite players from there backyard.

 

[jtwist89]

We made it to the championship with Bell as our LT. And he was a BEAST. Up the bag for Folorunsho and Brewster.

 

[JADood]

“He hits more than any other coach in CFB”. Insane glazing.

You do realize we went to the title last year right?

Analysis is lacking on your part.

What does that have to do with his hit/miss rate on HS recruiting? You do realize we have been buoyed significantly by transfers, right?