With news that former Georgia coach Mark Richt will succeed the fired Al Golden as Miami's head coach comes a ripple effect. A number of prospects from a number of states will likely be affected by the move. And while it's nearly impossible to predict how everything will shake out in the months leading into National Signing Day, Rivals.com weighs in on how Richt's move to Miami could change things for a number of highly regarded recruits.
QB
Jacob Eason
Lake Stevens, Wash.
Recruiting Wrap: Eason is currently committed to Georgia but taking a look around. He recently visited Florida and has clearly been browsing since Richt was let go in Athens.
Richt Impact: This one is obvious. Richt has a built-in relationship with Eason. The blue chip quarterback obviously thinks highly of the new Miami coach. Eason's quarterback coach told CaneSport.com that he expects his pupil to take a hard look at the Hurricanes now that Richt is set to take over coaching duties.
Prediction: This situation is hard to handicap because of the wealth of moving parts. Florida, Georgia and now Miami are all in play to land the five-star prospect. It seems clear that Eason's recruitment will only get more interesting as the month of December unfolds. UGA remains the favorite to ultimately land Eason, but Miami is certainly now within striking distance.
WR
Sam Bruce
Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas
Recruiting Wrap: A longtime Miami commit, Bruce never broke his pledge but was thought to be waiting to hear news on Al Golden's successor before totally shutting the door on his recruiting.
Richt Impact: Bruce welcomed Richt to Miami on Thursday night by saying he was "about to be a part of history." At this juncture, it seems unlikely that the four-star wide receiver will change his commitment status in any way. He is extremely close with UM wide receivers coach Kevin Beard, so Richt could totally seal the deal by keeping Beard on staff. That said, it might not be a total necessity.
Prediction: It seems overwhelmingly likely that Bruce will eventually sign with Miami.
ATH
Mecole Hardman Jr.
Bowman (Ga.) Elbert County
Recruiting Wrap: Hardman recently returned from an official visit to Michigan and raved about his time in Ann Arbor. He has long maintained that Georgia and Tennessee are his co-leaders, but a recent visit to Alabama earlier this month seems to have put the Tide heavily in the mix as well. What makes him a unique case for the Canes is that he was recruited hard by the last staff, and even took an official visit back in September.
Richt Impact: Hardman is close with both Richt and Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. On Sunday, he went as far as to say that Pruitt should be the man to replace Richt. With Pruitt likely gone from Georgia and Richt now in Miami, can the Canes actually get him back in the mix? With Hardman's unpredictable nature, it's still too early to rule out any schools, even though Signing Day is just two months away
Prediction: Georgia's decision to hire Kirby Smart should help the Dawgs ease the blow of losing Richt and Pruitt, but their fate could depend on who fills out the rest of the staff. Tennessee's stability is also working in their favor. Those two schools still remain as the most likely destinations for the dynamic playmaker.
DB
Al Blades (2018)
Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.), University School
Recruiting Wrap: Blades was committed to Miami until Golden was removed as the program's head coach earlier this season.
Richt Impact: It's hard to imagine Blades landing anywhere other than Miami. Even before the Richt hire was made, people assumed the young cornerback with strong UM ties would eventually be Hurricane. Upon receiving word of the hire, Blades said he's "excited to see what Richt brings."
Prediction: Blades will almost undoubtedly land at Miami. He'll likely wait to get to know Richt and his staff before re-committing to the Hurricanes down the road.
WR
Binjimen Victor
Coconut Creek, Fla.
Recruiting Wrap: Victor is thought to favor Ohio State and Florida.
Richt Impact: Victor seemed excited by Miami's hire and shot out a tweet upon hearing the news. There is a relationship in place between Richt and Victor, and it should shock nobody if the four-star receiver takes a closer look at UM.
Prediction: It seems unlikely that Victor lands at Miami. He will certainly take a look around the campus and consider the school more than he was a week ago, but it may be too late to snatch him away from the Buckeyes or Gators.
DB
Malek Young
Coconut Creek, Fla.
Recruiting Wrap: A high school teammate of Victor's, Young is currently committed to UGA.
Richt Impact: When Richt was fired by Georgia, those close to the defensive back said they expected him to "wait to see how things shake out" before making a firm decision on his future. You have to imagine Richt being hired by the hometown school has already given Young plenty to think about.
Prediction: It seems likely that the Hurricanes will at least get an official visit from Young, who attends high school 45 minutes away from the Miami campus. The chances that Miami is able to flip the in-state prospect have to be higher than 50 percent at this juncture.
��
