Mike Farrell's Thought On Swag 16

[TriStarCane]

What do y'all think? Two interesting points I highlited in bold. The first has been discussed on this board and it looks like the national guys think the class will drop off once other teams start picking up commits. The second point is interesting. I've never really considered what would happen if we performed at a high level. I don't believe Golden is capable of it. If we did win 10 games, I don't think it would matter all that much to be honest. I think elite kids don't want to play for this staff and will follow their SEC/FSU offers. Thoughts?

https://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1754722

5. A Golden plan at Miami?
What's going on at Miami? The Canes already have 20 commitments in the class of 2016 (and a ton of offers still out there), six commitments in the class of 2017 and three already for the class of 2018. The theory of many, myself included, is that this is a huge hot seat season for Al Golden (actually, that's not a theory, it's factual after a 6-7 campaign in 2014). So Golden is loading up on commitments, especially from South Florida, to make it harder to oust him if things don't go well on the field this year. After all, the only thing he can control in the off-season is the perception that he's recruiting at a high and local level. The problem? Only a handful of the commitments are ranked as four stars and many of them could be considered reaches this early despite the fact that it appears Golden is recruiting the local area harder than ever before.

It will be interesting to see what happens if the Miami season goes better than expected and Golden's job status stabilizes, because a ton of prospects Miami perhaps covets a bit more might be interested at that point. Miami has the No. 1 recruiting class in 2016 but that's a bit suspect due to the large numbers.

 

[canezhonkey]

Want kids that commit to the school not the coach.

 

[Geo305]

Ehhh I saw that the other day and I think it's just **** talking to be honest.


Rivals has some of our guys still rated WAY too low like Allison, McCloud, Wright, Burnett, Rasul, Hinson, D.Jackson, Pinckney, Simmons and Richards.


They have all of them 3 stars. That's an atrocity. All are 4* and up talent.


Rankings are still gonna change so much more and I believe rivals hasn't done an update in a while now.



Which is what leads me to this....

In technicality. Going by the rankings all of our guys have. We have 13 four stars in total when looking at all sites. 2 more should be four stars, where Pinckney and Simmons are ranked in LB rankings they fall into the 4* range in previous years of LB rankings.



Uche, Nelson, Gil and Wiggins have the ability, versatility and potential to sneak into a low 4* with big senior years as well.




Some people are making the quality over quantity comment but it doesn't apply here.

Every kid committed right now for 2016 is Miami Caliber. I actually don't have a complaint about the class right now at this time. I've had my complaints in the past for some previous classes.

I would only complain that I want quality DT's in the class. That's a position we need to lock in some for this class.

 

[TriStarCane]

My complaint is on the defensive line. The national kids make a difference and we don't land them. I love our backers, wide receivers and some of our corners. Allison is a franchise QB. Jackson is a beast on the DL, but we need the top kids on that side of the ball both on the edge and the interior. I'm suspect on some of these undersized speed rush ends in our system. I don't trust Golden to develop them and I don't think it's that easy for kids to transition to being an OLB. You might also be correct about our guys being under valued, but Golden's MO is to identify these kids early and then watch them walk away with their 4th star to another program. I want to believe but I can't yet.

 

[cowboycane]

We are in good shape at pretty much every position except for the OL and DT right now.

Need a true LT prospect and a mauler for the interior, as well as 2 or 3 DTs.

Edge rush group is solid, and I have to imagine we will stay in it for Bethel and/or Burns as well as that Polite kid.

 

[Geo305]

We are in good shape at pretty much every position except for the OL and DT right now.

Need a true LT prospect and a mauler for the interior, as well as 2 or 3 DTs.

Edge rush group is solid, and I have to imagine we will stay in it for Bethel and/or Burns as well as that Polite kid.

Technically we can count Gerald Willis III to this class at the DT spot. Would be a 4-3 DT and 3-4 end for us. So that's 1 DT but I totally agree with what you said.

The DT spot is so hazy right now. Miami has to do whatever they can to get Camp back in the class. Winning, whatever it will take.

And I think we should take Aaron Thompson like I've been preaching for a while.



I think Bethel will be a battle despite being a legacy but I feel he comes. Burns is the one I think doesn't come and I done think Manuel comes either.

Jackson, Bethel, Nelson and Hinson(TE/DE) is a great group IMO. With Nelson and Hinson being more raw but their ceiling is worth it.

Also Uche but I think OLB is his future.

I think 2 quality OL. A tackle and an interior guy like you said. Would love to get Reese and a big mauler for the interior.



Then the other positions are solid just want to add more quality where we can. My gut tells me this class ends up with 30 something signees.

 

[Fountain of Canes]

The Theory of Golden saving his job is really correct not only is he recruiting S FL hard its allowing these kids to come together and bond and building a community of Hurricane fans again. you don't have moms and pops rooting for Louisville and others as strong because most kids are hurricanes. Golden knows what his *** should have been doing the whole time, he just wanted to do it his way and it failed. but no matter what the stars say this class is special. i mean the DB,LB,WR class alone is phenomenal. you are getting explosive Ath, versitle players who can find a position to fit them best. ill rather take 3 star GEMs then 5 star players who play like 3 stars. like @Geo305 said its really early. alot of bumps are from the camp circuit but when the season come watch our players dominate.

 

[Billy D Williams]

Geo the guy is absolutely correct. While we have a good class, some are reaches! There are still plenty of 4* or better recruits in SoFl that will not consider the U for one reason and one reason only- Al Golden! Golden may be an idiot of a coach but he's got sense to know he's on the way out and the only thing that may save him is a "belief" he's getting there in recruiting because he knows he won't improve in victories! Al is a politician and he understands perception, move your arms and legs fast enough and people will think you're running fast. Create a perception that a good recruiting class is great and a savior, then some decision makers may see this as a reason to keep his pathetic a$$.

 

[dedostheibis]

Alot of the so called reaches have offers from other big programs. The only diffrence is they are commited to miami whos paid subscribers to theyre sites is no where close....


As for golden he needs to win period

 

[Geo305]

Geo the guy is absolutely correct. While we have a good class, some are reaches! There are still plenty of 4* or better recruits in SoFl that will not consider the U for one reason and one reason only- Al Golden! Golden may be an idiot of a coach but he's got sense to know he's on the way out and the only thing that may save him is a "belief" he's getting there in recruiting because he knows he won't improve in victories! Al is a politician and he understands perception, move your arms and legs fast enough and people will think you're running fast. Create a perception that a good recruiting class is great and a savior, then some decision makers may see this as a reason to keep his pathetic a$$.

I'll be honest. I agree with the guys approach about Al.

But as in reaches. I felt the only reaches are Nelson and Moss at this point.


Nelson because he's extremely raw. He has the size, strength, length and potential but he's very raw from the DE position. Would like to see his production and one of his games this year. I would have preferred to wait and see how he does hi senior year before taking him but looking from a projection standpoint I like the take for his attributes he has.

Moss is a major reach when it comes to pure RB but as I mentioned. If he's used at Miami as a FB/H-Back type then it was a solid pickup cause that's what suits him. He's a great blocker, good hands and some grit and toughness between the tackles.



James Wiggins and Devin Gil are two of the most underrated pickups we have.

Gil's future is LBer though. I don't think he's a safety. I think he could be a great WLB. Been mentioned that he has stood out on the field out of 4 and 5 stars in a lot of events and if I'm correct captured and MVP at a camp recently. He just happens to be a bit of a tweener.

Wiggins can play outside, in the nickel or at safety. Uber athletic and the kid is rock solid. Plays both sides of the ball. DMoney mentioned while watching a South Dade game that this kid stood out and was very impressive.

While Joshua Uche is raw at DE. He has put up the numbers though! and has size and speed you can't teach for his position. He's a future SLB. Just playing a different position at Columbus.

 

[Geo305]

You gotta remember even if you feel their is a reach or two. If they don't pan out or project how the staff expects in their senior year. They will be dropped. It's not like the LOI is signed.

Only one I would drop would be Moss ONLY if we are taking him as a RB only. I'm all for taking him as a FB/HB

Nelson I would keep and see his production his senior year, he has things you can't teach at the position. If he doesn't pan out, oh well and you move on. We are not hurting at DE. It's ok to take a chance on a prospect like this.

 

[Fountain of Canes]

You gotta remember even if you feel their is a reach or two. If they don't pan out or project how the staff expects in their senior year. They will be dropped. It's not like the LOI is signed.

Only one I would drop would be Moss ONLY if we are taking him as a RB only. I'm all for taking him as a FB/HB

Nelson I would keep and see his production his senior year, he has things you can't teach at the position. If he doesn't pan out, oh well and you move on. We are not hurting at DE. It's ok to take a chance on a prospect like this.

I love Nelson, i compare him to the Shelton Johnson who signed with Michigan . I know golden would never do this but imagine Shelton as a 3-4 OLB like Aldon smith. it would be nightmarish.