New OL offeree Ward close to finalizing UM official, talks potential Miami offense

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Stefan Adams

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With the Miami Hurricanes only taking 2 offensive linemen in the early signing period for the 2020 class, it was inevitable that the board would expand a such a position of intense need. After UM re-evaluated some options among unsigned talent on the OL, the first new offer at the position went to St. Paul’s Episcopal (AL) 3-star OT Brady Ward over the weekend.

“I found out about the offer from my high school coach. He told me how bad they wanted me and felt I could come in and play,” Ward said. “It was great getting the offer. I've followed Miami. They have a history of National Championships and they send a ton of guys to the Senior Bowl each year.”

With the second and final signing day fast-approaching in less than 2 months, things will have to move quickly between the parties, which is why Ward is already closing in on finalizing a date for an official visit to Coral Gables next month.

“I plan on taking an official on the 17th (of January),” Ward said of a UM trip. “That is the plan right now. That is the date my family and the coaches discussed and they were waiting on coach (Manny) Diaz to finalize the date. As of now, they told me to put the 17th down.”

Of course, news broke late last week that the Canes had fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos, leaving UM without a clear leader on the offensive side of the ball. According to Ward, though, the Miami staff pitched a clear vision to him on what they were planning for the offense to look like next season.

“They didn't know who coach Diaz was hiring but they knew what he was looking for in a guy,” Ward said. “They just said it would be wide open, spread and quick stuff, that if you watch LSU, OU, Clemson and others, the ball gets out of the QB's hands fast, so linemen don't have to hold blocks as long. There are less sacks and it opens the run game too.”

Ultimately, Ward has a list of reasons why Miami will be a factor in his recruitment heading down the stretch.

“It's the U. It's a national powerhouse with an O-Line coach that has an NFL background,” Ward said. “It's also a small private school and it is a phenomenal university with great facilities.”

Ward has long been a prospect of interest for high Power 5 programs, as he landed offers from Alabama, UF, Oklahoma, LSU, and Tennessee among others early in the process. However, once he elected to bypass signing early, Ward became a target for many other schools looking to fill a hole on their offensive line.

“Texas A&M, Arizona State, and a bunch of others want me to visit, from Iowa State to NC State. I got slammed with messages when I didn't sign in the early period,” Ward said. “I don't have a leader, but I would say I’m considering Texas A&M, Miami, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa State, Baylor, and NC State, and I am also talking to a bunch of others that are new that could jump in.”

Ward has already taken his first official visit to Arkansas in November, and, along with his planned Miami official in January, will try and take as many officials as he can next month before making his decision.

“I don't have a timetable. Just looking for the right fit for me,” Ward said. “The system, an O-Line coach that knows how to develop me, strength program, nutrition and academics are all factors for what I am looking for… distance is not a factor in where I am going.”

With a dead period currently in effect, Ward is using the down time to compete at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and checked into the event yesterday. After a week of practices, the game will take place on Saturday, January 4th.

“I was 6-7, 300 at the All-American game check-in,” Ward said. “Some people have me at 6-8, some at 6-7. It usually depends on how tall the guy is measuring so he can reach up there and measure. The competition is tough (at the game) this year.”

As a senior in 2019, Ward helped St. Paul’s to an 8-4 record in their first season after moving up to a tougher level of competition.

“The year went really good. We are a 4A school playing 6A because we won 3 out of 4 state championships at the 4A level,” Ward said. “This year, we won the school’s 1st playoff game in 6A. Just got outmanned at the skill spots in the 2nd round. I performed well, but I should have. I was a senior and larger than everyone I played.”

 
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Like his size.

loved his comment about what we are looking for though offensively .

They just said it would be wide open, spread and quick stuff, that if you watch LSU, OU, Clemson and others, the ball gets out of the QB's hands fast, so linemen don't have to hold blocks as long. There are less sacks and it opens the run game too.”
 
Like his size.

loved his comment about what we are looking for though offensively .

They just said it would be wide open, spread and quick stuff, that if you watch LSU, OU, Clemson and others, the ball gets out of the QB's hands fast, so linemen don't have to hold blocks as long. There are less sacks and it opens the run game too.”

This is why enos wasn’t worth his salt as a play caller. Fast pace , quick throws , wider splits and space all help the ol greatly.

The coach is supposed to make things easier for the kids and for scheme to the players strengths.

He sucked.
 
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Like his size.

loved his comment about what we are looking for though offensively .

They just said it would be wide open, spread and quick stuff, that if you watch LSU, OU, Clemson and others, the ball gets out of the QB's hands fast, so linemen don't have to hold blocks as long. There are less sacks and it opens the run game too.”

LoL, that's exactly why i didnt like it, and it proves absolutely why clemson barely has any o-linemen drafted.

If coach diaz thinks that's the path to being dominant, lol, good luck with that, the 2 things that dont need to be compromised at UM, is grooming responsible o-linemen and tightends, so let's see what happens!
 
LoL, that's exactly why i didnt like it, and it proves absolutely why clemson barely has any o-linemen drafted.

If coach diaz thinks that's the path to being dominant, lol, good luck with that, the 2 things that dont need to be compromised at UM, is grooming responsible o-linemen and tightends, so let's see what happens!
So, I come from the camp of "I don't care if they get drafted", I want Miami to win. Does this make me a bad person? Being serious. Trying to do both certainly has not worked out. I want kids to succeed but I want the team to win. No BS here, want to know if I am alone in this camp.
 
I like this offer a lot!

Has the frame you look for and seems to play with some nastiness you want in the trenches.


But of course he seems to play high and not the best bend. But he isn’t a sign and start candidate. Would do wonders if he could shirt and start year two or three.
 
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So, I come from the camp of "I don't care if they get drafted", I want Miami to win. Does this make me a bad person? Being serious. Trying to do both certainly has not worked out. I want kids to succeed but I want the team to win. No BS here, want to know if I am alone in this camp.

We got the talent to do both, its just the bullshatters at UM keep taking the headcoaching job here as a joke. And best believe, the majority of coaches in Miami not gone send their players here if that's the case, UM doesnt want to go down that road, they'll really get shut out than, and yall will still be crying about why players not staying home.
 
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Meh he looks slow off the ball. One of the highlights he can beat bad but got help from his guard to stop the rusher.

I agree he looks slow now, but that is what a S&C is for. This young man is a walking talking redshirt candidate that should provide quality depth by his redshirt sophomore year.

In the film he is playing at 330lbs , he has dropped 30lbs so far according to AA game weigh in which should help with his speed. He needs to play at 300lbs and drop body fat percentage. You can train the body and you can teach aggression, but you can't teach angry an he plays angry. Hence the comparison by the other poster to Taylor Gadbois.

Also this young man is a Right Tackle all day. But unfortunately he is getting beat badly at the Army All American practice due to poor technique. Now he is going against kids his size so technique comes into play an he has none.

Go Canes

 
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Don't know much about this kid other than he's lying talking about they moved up to 6A because they won 3 of the last 4 state titles. LOL
 
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The kid was quoted incorrectly St. Paul won the Bama 5A (not 4A) state championship in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Please do research before calling a recruit a liar in an open forum.


Go Canes

You actually missed my point Paranos. You don't change classifications because you won too many state titles. Your school classification is determined by THE SIZE OF THE STUDENT BODY. Carry on.

Edit: Now that I think about it. The kid may be right because St. Paul's may be private and Alabama instituted the competitive balance rule. Oops. Mistake by me. Getting the new year off to a good start! Lulz
 
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This is why enos wasn’t worth his salt as a play caller. Fast face , quick throws , wider splits and space all help the ol greatly.

The coach is supposed to make things easier for the kids and for scheme to the players strengths.

He sucked.

Enos thought he had an NFL offensive line hahaha. He thought he could coach like Shanahan at the 49ers
 
So, I come from the camp of "I don't care if they get drafted", I want Miami to win. Does this make me a bad person? Being serious. Trying to do both certainly has not worked out. I want kids to succeed but I want the team to win. No BS here, want to know if I am alone in this camp.

You are not alone. I used to think like Calvin did but I'm slowly moving toward your line of thinking. We just need a scheme on offense to win football games. Once that happens, more talent will stack up and then we can start worrying about getting guys drafted again.
 
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