Nigel Bethel commits

[skeeter]

I don't think the kid has the elusiveness for PR... I may be wrong. Maybe KO return, but I think we would have heard from him more in that aspect so far, other than a couple of long returns (not td) on his highlight tape. Most great returners have instinct to go with the speed. But I'd love to see him get a shot at ko, the speed is there.

Intrigues me as a cb though, just raw and needs some weight.

 

[jw410]

Folks are taking frustration out on him, and it's not his fault we suck at recruiting 5* DB's.

I keep seeing this stated but I just haven't seen much of it posted.

Most "doubters" have offered their congratulations & acknowledged his potential. Just bc people point out his lack of offers, experience at the position or our failure to land higher targets isn't a knock on the kid.

These guys are too fragile to discuss prospects openly. Bethel has some good traits, but to act like UM signing him is a no-brainer is misguided. I hope he has an incredible career here, but he's got a ton of work to do. And UM will struggle to field great defenses if we continue to sign guys like this and miss on big-time guys.

We gotta get better coaching if we can't get big time players

 

[Canes_]

If this kid had committed back to Florida or FSU, we would be LOLing because it's a huge reach. It's a poor job with our DB board given the needs this year and the available local talent. He didn't start as a CB last year on his team. 2/3 of our CB class didn't start for their high school team. Does he have traits? He's tall and fast. He isn't special in any capacity based on tape. I would love to hear why someone thinks he's a good player?

He has three plays on film as a DB, so can't really judge, but he doesn't cover anyone. He intercepts a pass in Cover 3 that was overthrown by 8 yards and he tackles some guys 8 yards off the ball and on a screen. On offense, he catches the ball with his body and runs about 2.5 routes in his films. His YAC is decent, but if he's a blazer it should be better. He even got hawked in one play straight up. His best plays are on special teams, which makes sense because that's what this guy is. That's not good enough in a year where we need impact defensive backs. It's just not. If this kid played out of Atlanta or Dallas there wouldn't be the same hype coming from the SFL 4 Life squad. It's not what we need given the context.

Who else didn't start?

 

[TriStarCane]

If this kid had committed back to Florida or FSU, we would be LOLing because it's a huge reach. It's a poor job with our DB board given the needs this year and the available local talent. He didn't start as a CB last year on his team. 2/3 of our CB class didn't start for their high school team. Does he have traits? He's tall and fast. He isn't special in any capacity based on tape. I would love to hear why someone thinks he's a good player?

He has three plays on film as a DB, so can't really judge, but he doesn't cover anyone. He intercepts a pass in Cover 3 that was overthrown by 8 yards and he tackles some guys 8 yards off the ball and on a screen. On offense, he catches the ball with his body and runs about 2.5 routes in his films. His YAC is decent, but if he's a blazer it should be better. He even got hawked in one play straight up. His best plays are on special teams, which makes sense because that's what this guy is. That's not good enough in a year where we need impact defensive backs. It's just not. If this kid played out of Atlanta or Dallas there wouldn't be the same hype coming from the SFL 4 Life squad. It's not what we need given the context.

Who else didn't start?

Blades, but at least he has played CB at a high level. I just don't see any of our 3 CB prospects as plug and play guys, which we really need now that Young had to retire. Hopefully Frierson is that dude on the boundary.

 

[CaneJuice69]

I guess if you can't land Edwards, Davis, Henderson, Surtain, Campbell, Samuel, Jobe, or Wilson, you might as well take a shot on a tall WR from MNW.

We are incredibly fortunate that by way of sheer volume kids like Bandy and Ivey happen to exist in South Florida with no possible way to ***** it up (though we tried our best to lose Bandy, reminder). What a debacle. How can anyone have faith in what we're doing on the defensive side of the ball? There are big flashing "oh ****!" neon signs all over the place right now.

No matter how much spin guys put on this commitment, it should be blatantly obvious that we need a monster recruiter added to the defensive staff.

Bethel's got some nice traits. But we're the only major P5 program who thought he was worthy.

Where is Manny? Why does he continue to get a free ride in all this?

 

[CaneJuice69]

I guess if you can't land Edwards, Davis, Henderson, Surtain, Campbell, Samuel, Jobe, or Wilson, you might as well take a shot on a tall WR from MNW.

We are incredibly fortunate that by way of sheer volume kids like Bandy and Ivey happen to exist in South Florida with no possible way to ***** it up (though we tried our best to lose Bandy, reminder). What a debacle. How can anyone have faith in what we're doing on the defensive side of the ball? There are big flashing "oh ****!" neon signs all over the place right now.

Until proven otherwise Miami can't. It's been that way for a long time too. Since we lost Patrick Peterson (Johnson) we've struck out with top DB's minus Tracy Howard. We've seen them leave one after the other and ball out elsewhere and against us. Everyone knows this trend must stop. Maybe Rumph works his relationship and kills the PJ ghost and the anit-Miami culture seemingly at AH. Maybe it's next year with Spaghetti whom seems to be a 5* lock to us. I sooo want him to commit and be the new ambassador.

For now Bethel is the best we can get and about the perfect project recruit to take a flier on. He's got everything it take to be a prototype CB. Folks are taking frustration out on him, and it's not his fault we suck at recruiting 5* DB's. He's a Cane now and we need him to develop.

Our offensive staff isn't having any trouble signing big timers all over the place. The problem isn't "Miami". The problem is our defensive staff looks about as organized and competent as a stoner taking a 3AM trip to the Taco Bell drive thru.

I repeat, "where is Manny?" Why the free ride? Always Rumph, Kul etc never Manny f'ing up.

 

[KATKER]

Bethel hustled an offer from a great school regardless if you guys think he will ever play or not. Gotta respect that hustle. He will graduate and be successful in life while most of us' crowning achievement will be getting +reps on a message board.

Realist ish you ever wrote. Watch him ball the **** out too

 

[DB4]

No matter how much spin guys put on this commitment, it should be blatantly obvious that we need a monster recruiter added to the defensive staff.

Bethel's got some nice traits. But we're the only major P5 program who thought he was worthy.

I read somewhere that he had an offer from UFag and UGA.

He had a UF offer while he was committed there. Then, Shannon got fired, and they immediately revoked his offer. He doesn't have a UGA offer.

247, ESPN, and Rivals list him as having a UGA offer. All of them are wrong?

They all also show Jalen Patterson having an offer from Miami. They don’t update revoked offers. So yes, they are wrong.

Funny bc Patterson's profile doesn't seem like it's been updated since his decommitment. Meanwhile Bethel's page is pretty up to date. But I'm glad YOU know that all 3 sites are wrong.

 

[RHCanes]

Welcome to the U! What he has that Canes coaches cannot develop is speed. The experience playing in dade county is a positive too! Now, a good coaching staff can find a position where he can excel as a football player. Bottom line, he adds depth and speed, which could be valuable to any special team unit. I trust the staff, and this kid wants to be at the U.

 

[dycane]

I guess if you can't land Edwards, Davis, Henderson, Surtain, Campbell, Samuel, Jobe, or Wilson, you might as well take a shot on a tall WR from MNW.

We are incredibly fortunate that by way of sheer volume kids like Bandy and Ivey happen to exist in South Florida with no possible way to ***** it up (though we tried our best to lose Bandy, reminder). What a debacle. How can anyone have faith in what we're doing on the defensive side of the ball? There are big flashing "oh ****!" neon signs all over the place right now.

Until proven otherwise Miami can't. It's been that way for a long time too. Since we lost Patrick Peterson (Johnson) we've struck out with top DB's minus Tracy Howard. We've seen them leave one after the other and ball out elsewhere and against us. Everyone knows this trend must stop. Maybe Rumph works his relationship and kills the PJ ghost and the anit-Miami culture seemingly at AH. Maybe it's next year with Spaghetti whom seems to be a 5* lock to us. I sooo want him to commit and be the new ambassador.

For now Bethel is the best we can get and about the perfect project recruit to take a flier on. He's got everything it take to be a prototype CB. Folks are taking frustration out on him, and it's not his fault we suck at recruiting 5* DB's. He's a Cane now and we need him to develop.

Our offensive staff isn't having any trouble signing big timers all over the place. The problem isn't "Miami". The problem is our defensive staff looks about as organized and competent as a stoner taking a 3AM trip to the Taco Bell drive thru.

I repeat, "where is Manny?" Why the free ride? Always Rumph, Kul etc never Manny f'ing up.

To be fair, the PJs, Surtains, and Campbells of the world were/are rated the best in the country — true blue chips. Outside of Lingard, where are these types in our offensive class? Hall, Frierson, and Ivey are propspects on par with the best guys we’ve recruited on offense. Some of these elite kids are being bought. That’s a fact. But more importantly, until you start playing for national championships, it’s not going to be easy to sign the absolute best players in the country. Just look at the progression of the program under Butch. He got us to the point of being a championship contender by recruiting exactly the caliber of recruits we’re signing now. His first true blue chip was DJ Williams. And once we beat FSU and were clearly one of the best teams in the country, the Surtains of the world stayed home.

 

[umiamifan1]

If Devin Hester can make a career out of being fast and playing everywhere... Why can't this kid? Seems smart and selfless. Hopefully he has the work ethic to back it up

Don't (ever) put Nigel in the same category as Hester







Give me a 4.3 man to man lockdown CB like Campbell. Lock down ! Getting players like Campbell brings the U a step closer to being able to beat teams like Clemson

Did you know Devin Hester was gonna be Devin Hester before he stepped on campus? But now you're saying not to put them in the same category for merely mentioning that they have some of the same qualities?

Those who followed recruiting at the time of Hester, obviously didn't know he would be the greatest of all time. What was known is that he was electric with the ball in his hands. I can say without question, the anticipation for him, delayed by his not qualifying the first year, was second to none. The only comparison even remotely close was Thomas. You knew our return game would get a big boost with Hester coming in.

Bethel, I don't see them in the same level at all. I like the pickup, but I wouldn't go tossing him and Hester together. Good luck to the young man.

Hester was one of the most sought after recruits in the state. Ask Mickey Andrews. Comparing Bethel to Hester is pure comedy.

This is true, Hester was a 5-star athlete. This kid is not in the same galaxy, but I still think he'll have a chance to make an impact in a few years as a developmental prospect.

 

[Ethnicsands]

I do not understand the folks that think Bethel is a bad take. But then I was saying take him back when Campbell was supposedly ours to lose.

If Plan B is a really fast athletic kid with size from a feeder school who needs some coaching at CB, who really wants to play at UM, and who is competitive, then count me in. He’s got what you can’t coach, and I haven’t seen anyone say he doesn’t have the hips or athletic ability to play the spot. This kid looks like a legit CB prospect.

Sure, we seem to have botched db recruiting of top targets this year. That is what it is. Be mad at the staff if you want to. But don’t transfer your emotions over other kids to Bethel. That’s pointless.

I’m ambivalent on the take, but if it’s the no-brainer that CIS is portraying it to be, then why were no other marquee P5 programs interested? Teams from all over the country scour this area. Yet not even middling P5 programs were on him hard.

I am not recommending him as a prospect, because I havent spent any time looking at any film, and just know what I’ve read on measurables and rationale. (And it sounds like there isn’t any helpful or comforting film in any case.)

My point is that like it or not, we are at Plan B, and he sounds like a plausible take when our higher priority guys went elsewhere. I am as vocal as anyone about our defensive recruiting shortcomings. As for this kid in particular, he sounds fast and athletic, which is something. Whether we should have prioritized Wilson and/or Wildgoose, I have a gut view on but not more than that.

Ultimately, our defensive recruiting has not been as good as our offensive recruiting.

 

[Combo]

If this kid had committed back to Florida or FSU, we would be LOLing because it's a huge reach. It's a poor job with our DB board given the needs this year and the available local talent. He didn't start as a CB last year on his team. 2/3 of our CB class didn't start for their high school team. Does he have traits? He's tall and fast. He isn't special in any capacity based on tape. I would love to hear why someone thinks he's a good player?

He has three plays on film as a DB, so can't really judge, but he doesn't cover anyone. He intercepts a pass in Cover 3 that was overthrown by 8 yards and he tackles some guys 8 yards off the ball and on a screen. On offense, he catches the ball with his body and runs about 2.5 routes in his films. His YAC is decent, but if he's a blazer it should be better. He even got hawked in one play straight up. His best plays are on special teams, which makes sense because that's what this guy is. That's not good enough in a year where we need impact defensive backs. It's just not. If this kid played out of Atlanta or Dallas there wouldn't be the same hype coming from the SFL 4 Life squad. It's not what we need given the context.

Who else didn't start?

Blades, but at least he has played CB at a high level. I just don't see any of our 3 CB prospects as plug and play guys, which we really need now that Young had to retire. Hopefully Frierson is that dude on the boundary.

Agreed. Frierson is the only one of the newcomers who might be able to step in and play right away at CB (even though I think he'll eventually end up at Safety). Huge opportunity for either Surtain or Campbell to come in and likely start right away.

FWIW, I have no problem in taking a chance on a guy like Bethel. He could develop into a good player. However, he's a way off from being able to help at CB.

 

[Ethnicsands]

I guess if you can't land Edwards, Davis, Henderson, Surtain, Campbell, Samuel, Jobe, or Wilson, you might as well take a shot on a tall WR from MNW.

We are incredibly fortunate that by way of sheer volume kids like Bandy and Ivey happen to exist in South Florida with no possible way to ***** it up (though we tried our best to lose Bandy, reminder). What a debacle. How can anyone have faith in what we're doing on the defensive side of the ball? There are big flashing "oh ****!" neon signs all over the place right now.

No matter how much spin guys put on this commitment, it should be blatantly obvious that we need a monster recruiter added to the defensive staff.

Bethel's got some nice traits. But we're the only major P5 program who thought he was worthy.

I really don’t know what to say on that. It’s definitely something to wonder about. I hope they evaluated him well enough.

 

[Ethnicsands]

I guess if you can't land Edwards, Davis, Henderson, Surtain, Campbell, Samuel, Jobe, or Wilson, you might as well take a shot on a tall WR from MNW.

We are incredibly fortunate that by way of sheer volume kids like Bandy and Ivey happen to exist in South Florida with no possible way to ***** it up (though we tried our best to lose Bandy, reminder). What a debacle. How can anyone have faith in what we're doing on the defensive side of the ball? There are big flashing "oh ****!" neon signs all over the place right now.

Until proven otherwise Miami can't. It's been that way for a long time too. Since we lost Patrick Peterson (Johnson) we've struck out with top DB's minus Tracy Howard. We've seen them leave one after the other and ball out elsewhere and against us. Everyone knows this trend must stop. Maybe Rumph works his relationship and kills the PJ ghost and the anit-Miami culture seemingly at AH. Maybe it's next year with Spaghetti whom seems to be a 5* lock to us. I sooo want him to commit and be the new ambassador.

For now Bethel is the best we can get and about the perfect project recruit to take a flier on. He's got everything it take to be a prototype CB. Folks are taking frustration out on him, and it's not his fault we suck at recruiting 5* DB's. He's a Cane now and we need him to develop.

Our offensive staff isn't having any trouble signing big timers all over the place. The problem isn't "Miami". The problem is our defensive staff looks about as organized and competent as a stoner taking a 3AM trip to the Taco Bell drive thru.

This is fact.

 

[Ethnicsands]

Folks are taking frustration out on him, and it's not his fault we suck at recruiting 5* DB's.

I keep seeing this stated but I just haven't seen much of it posted.

Most "doubters" have offered their congratulations & acknowledged his potential. Just bc people point out his lack of offers, experience at the position or our failure to land higher targets isn't a knock on the kid.

These guys are too fragile to discuss prospects openly. Bethel has some good traits, but to act like UM signing him is a no-brainer is misguided. I hope he has an incredible career here, but he's got a ton of work to do. And UM will struggle to field great defenses if we continue to sign guys like this and miss on big-time guys.

It’s definitely not a no brainer. But we do need speed and DBs. I hope they are being thoughtful here.

My criticism of the current staff is not it’s evaluations for the most part. It’s on its priorities, tactics and selling. I’ll reserve judgment on the evals. I have more concern at LB than DB at moment when it comes to evals.

 

[AUcane]

I guess if you can't land Edwards, Davis, Henderson, Surtain, Campbell, Samuel, Jobe, or Wilson, you might as well take a shot on a tall WR from MNW.

We are incredibly fortunate that by way of sheer volume kids like Bandy and Ivey happen to exist in South Florida with no possible way to ***** it up (though we tried our best to lose Bandy, reminder). What a debacle. How can anyone have faith in what we're doing on the defensive side of the ball? There are big flashing "oh ****!" neon signs all over the place right now.

Until proven otherwise Miami can't. It's been that way for a long time too. Since we lost Patrick Peterson (Johnson) we've struck out with top DB's minus Tracy Howard. We've seen them leave one after the other and ball out elsewhere and against us. Everyone knows this trend must stop. Maybe Rumph works his relationship and kills the PJ ghost and the anit-Miami culture seemingly at AH. Maybe it's next year with Spaghetti whom seems to be a 5* lock to us. I sooo want him to commit and be the new ambassador.

For now Bethel is the best we can get and about the perfect project recruit to take a flier on. He's got everything it take to be a prototype CB. Folks are taking frustration out on him, and it's not his fault we suck at recruiting 5* DB's. He's a Cane now and we need him to develop.

Our offensive staff isn't having any trouble signing big timers all over the place. The problem isn't "Miami". The problem is our defensive staff looks about as organized and competent as a stoner taking a 3AM trip to the Taco Bell drive thru.

Yep. From the crumbs I've put together, you can tell that there are some issues on the defensive side of the ball w/r/t recruiting. Whether it's getting on guys late, not having the right coaches on the right targets, etc., there is something amiss on the defensive side of the ball. Not sure if it's going to require more involvement by Richt but you have basically 2 AHCs on that side of the ball and they can't get their **** together in recruiting.

 

[Cribby]

If this kid had committed back to Florida or FSU, we would be LOLing because it's a huge reach. It's a poor job with our DB board given the needs this year and the available local talent. He didn't start as a CB last year on his team. 2/3 of our CB class didn't start for their high school team. Does he have traits? He's tall and fast. He isn't special in any capacity based on tape. I would love to hear why someone thinks he's a good player?

He has three plays on film as a DB, so can't really judge, but he doesn't cover anyone. He intercepts a pass in Cover 3 that was overthrown by 8 yards and he tackles some guys 8 yards off the ball and on a screen. On offense, he catches the ball with his body and runs about 2.5 routes in his films. His YAC is decent, but if he's a blazer it should be better. He even got hawked in one play straight up. His best plays are on special teams, which makes sense because that's what this guy is. That's not good enough in a year where we need impact defensive backs. It's just not. If this kid played out of Atlanta or Dallas there wouldn't be the same hype coming from the SFL 4 Life squad. It's not what we need given the context.

Who else didn't start?

Blades, but at least he has played CB at a high level. I just don't see any of our 3 CB prospects as plug and play guys, which we really need now that Young had to retire. Hopefully Frierson is that dude on the boundary.

Agreed. Frierson is the only one of the newcomers who might be able to step in and play right away at CB (even though I think he'll eventually end up at Safety). Huge opportunity for either Surtain or Campbell to come in and likely start right away.

FWIW, I have no problem in taking a chance on a guy like Bethel. He could develop into a good player. However, he's a way off from being able to help at CB.

People still sleeping on Ivey

 

[John77]

I read somewhere that he had an offer from UFag and UGA.

He had a UF offer while he was committed there. Then, Shannon got fired, and they immediately revoked his offer. He doesn't have a UGA offer.

247, ESPN, and Rivals list him as having a UGA offer. All of them are wrong?

They all also show Jalen Patterson having an offer from Miami. They don’t update revoked offers. So yes, they are wrong.

Funny bc Patterson's profile doesn't seem like it's been updated since his decommitment. Meanwhile Bethel's page is pretty up to date. But I'm glad YOU know that all 3 sites are wrong.

I just gave you clear evidence of the sites being wrong, wether you choose to believe that isn’t my problem. All three sites are routinely wrong by the way on offers.

 

[canesthing3]

****, hope this kid don't read the board. Got the crybaby mods trying to incite drama on here. Gotta love it. We take 1 kid that could be a project and we're doomed. All of our defensive commits suck and we have neon signs saying so or some ****. Even though we can't get big time players as y'all are saying, how did we get to a top 6 class? Serious question.