It has been a tough two weeks at the Bank and the Hecht. The momentum with Tyler Williams went nowhere despite a lot of confidence going into his second visit. Losing to Middle Tennessee does not help our cause. But with a big opportunity coming up at UNC, Miami is aggressively pursuing its priority targets and evaluating senior risers. Let’s go position-by-position and start with defense:
DL
With
Sam M’Pemba (IMG) trending to Georgia,
Damon Wilson (Venice) becomes even more of a priority. He was already considered an elite player. Miami will make a very aggressive run to try to regain some ground.
Reuben Bain (Central) is by no means a lock but Miami feels good where it sits.
Jayden Wayne (IMG) is locked in and showing his physicality this season. Miami is also quietly working some other blue chip names.
DT remains the toughest position in this class. They are monitoring late-bloomers with CFP body types. Miami got eyes on UNC commit
Joshua Horton (Fairborn, GA) this weekend and he passed the test. We will pursue and he is listening. Big, long, athletic kid.
LB
Miami already has commits from
Popo Aguirre (Fayettville, GA),
Malik Bryant (Orlando Jones) and
Bobby Washington (Palmetto). They are not done. I alluded to it last week, but the cat is out of the bag on
Stanquan Clark (Central). He is having a monster senior season and turning his potential into production. Charlie Strong was at his game on Friday because Clark is a priority. Miami has a great shot here.
DB
Robert Stafford (Eau Gallie) is internally considered one of the most underrated players in the nation and a throwback Cane. He is bigger than expected in person. The next spot is interesting.
Edwin Joseph (Chaminade) is having a great senior year both ways and remains a strong candidate to be in this class. Miami has been in good position with
Damari Brown (American Heritage) for a while but the last two games have slowed us down here. Brown was at the MTSU game. He is still high on our board and we will stay right in the mix.
Jakeem Jackson (Osceola) is a 6’1, WR turned CB who is having a great senior year. He’s a Gator commit but he has Canes fans in his circle. We are making a big push.
The biggest news is that it looks like 2024 Miami commit
Antoine Jackson (Dillard) is planning to reclassify to 2023. This will give Miami’s DB class a boost. Miami continues to heavily pursue
Conrad Hussey (STA) and, while Penn State had the head start, it could be tough for them to hold on to Hussey.
Miami's approach is similar to an MLB team loading up on middle infielders in the draft. They want guys that can cover, and if some end up inside that will strengthen the coverage ability in the safety room.
QB
The week off allowed Miami coaches to hit the road. Miami got eyes on both
Jaden Rashada (Pittsburg, GA) and
Emory Williams (Milton, FL) and each guy played well. Rashada is considered an elite arm talent. Emory had his best game of the season in front of our coaches. He is a fiery player who got an unsportsmanlike on a TD run and carries a struggling team. The priority is keeping both players in the class and so far, so far good.
RB
Chris Johnson, Jr. (Dillard) is having a big senior season and remains a priority target. He is very conscientious of his role at the next level and Miami’s uncertain RB room could have his attention. If you’re wondering why he’s such a priority, watch him make Central and Chaminade look slow.
The losses didn’t help with
Mark Fletcher (American Heritage). Miami had momentum here recently so they will keep battling. Don’t be surprised to see new offers here, like
Kyron Jones out of Charlotte (who subsequently committed to NC State).
WR
This position is being attacked on multiple fronts. Commits
Robbie Washington (Palmetto) and
Ray-Ray Joseph (Edison) are locked in and making explosive plays every week.
I expect Miami to take 2- 3 WRs in the Portal. It will also keep aggressively pursuing players like
Brandon Innis (American Heritage) and other local kids committed elsewhere. They won’t take no for an answer. Expect to see more offers to kids having big senior years, even as far as the West Coast. One local kid who has made a leap as a senior is
Micah Mays (Benjamin). He is someone we mentioned
five months ago after he won the state championship in the track and triple jump. There are some similarities to AT Perry, who Wake Forest stole out of Palm Beach. Both guys are lanky with jumping numbers (Perry was verified 39 VJ) who sharpened their routes as seniors. Miami recently evaluated in person and liked the player and the kid.
The term is overused, but
Malachi Coleman (Lincoln, NE) is a true freak with 6’5, 205 size, 10.48 speed and toughness. His best future might be on defense. Since this is a newer recruitment, it will be important to get to know him and size him up on his official visit next week.
TE
It is unusual to sign three TEs in a class, but that is the plan as of now.
Riley Williams (IMG
), Jackson Carver (Windsor, CT) and
Reid Mikeska (Cypress, TX) would give us three TEs with tons of big-league offers.
OL
So far, so good with
Francis Mauigoa (IMG),
Connor Lew (Acwerth, GA),
Frankie Tinilau (LaSalle),
Tommy Kinsler (Ocala, FL) and
Antonio Tripp (IMG). The confidence hasn’t changed with
Samson Okunlola (Brockton, MA) and his visit for the FSU game can be enormous. This group is considered the strength of the class.
ST
We are on the lookout for a talented punter and KO guy from the Portal.
