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The Bank (2/3)

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DMoney said:
We’ve been gone for a minute, so we’re taking some heavy withdrawals this week on the team, the Portal and recruiting. This is the latest I’ve been hearing from several of my best sources:

The Team
  • Everybody wants to know about OC. Here's the truth- the circle of people who actually know what’s going is very small. It was the same way with the Gattis hire, which is why nothing real leaked. After speaking with excellent sources, I believe the circle is even smaller this time. Take everything with a grain of salt until you see the Bruce Feldman tweet.
  • There are 23 new players on campus and, to this point, there is no buyer’s remorse on any of them. That’s not always the case, even in these early workouts. I preface this statement—and any of the other early impressions—by noting that these kids aren’t even practicing yet, much less playing games. These are just first impressions from workouts. Consider these tidbits for entertainment purposes only.
  • The early reviews on OT Samson Okunlola are as good as I’ve ever heard. “He moves and is built like a #1 overall pick.” OT Francis Mauigoua also stacks up favorably, from a physical standpoint, to some of the first round picks Cristobal and Mirabal have coached in the past.
  • The OL group as a whole has been transformed in terms of body types and athleticism. If there is any difference between the ’22 and ’23 teams, it starts there. OC Matt Lee and OG Javion Cohen are carrying themselves like veterans who know how to work. Lee in particular is already holding teammates accountable. OL Jalen Rivers and OL Anez Cooper were described as “elite human beings.” Note that these giants were both selected to the ACC All-Academic team. Add an NFL talent like LT Zion Nelson to the mix, and you have a Top 7 that is reminding our coaches of some of the great OL they’ve been around at Alabama and Oregon. Remember, these guys know what it looks like.
  • Three transfers are making a strong impression: DT Branson Deen (Purdue) is showing explosive power in workouts that belies his 290-pound frame. CB Terry Roberts (Iowa) can run and was considered the fastest player in Iowa’s program, as well as its best special teams player. He brings leadership and position versatility, from outside corner, to nickel to safety. People joke about TE Cam McCormick (Oregon) as an 8th year player, but I’m told he has deceptive athleticism and is showing more receiving talent than people think.
  • Spring is a time for players to step up and establish themselves as factors. There are certain players the folks in Hecht have a very close eye on, due to their talent and the needs at their position. Those names are S Markeith Williams, CB Chris Graves, DE Nyjalik Kelly, DT Ahmad Moten, WR Jacolby George, WR Isaiah Horton and WR Colby Young. We need some breakouts from this group.
  • WR Ray Ray Joseph brings elite IQ and playmaking ability to the room. He should play right away. Two more freshmen with length who are developing quickly in the weight room: TE Riley Williams and QB Emory Williams.
The Portal

Expect Miami to take two more WRs and a 300+ DT in the Portal. We are still firmly in the mix with WR Gary Bryant (USC). Arizona and TAMU are the competition there.

Recruiting

  • March is shaping up to be a huge month for Miami with a lot of big-time kids getting on campus earlier than last year. Miami will take commitments, but their real goal is finishing even stronger than last year. This means getting kids on campus before they take an official. Visits are scarce, and Miami (along with many other programs) would have been in trouble if the NCAA didn’t expand the visit quota late in the cycle. Miami wants to make sure a kid has been thoroughly evaluated by the time he gets the official push.
  • Miami’s relationship with Chaminade is extremely important, and they are in steady communication to get past any issues. S Zaquan Patterson and Miami have a lot of mutual interest. He is listed as a LB on 247, but Miami views him as a plus athlete with plenty of speed for safety. He just plays close to the line in high school because it’s best for Chaminade. Miami is also in good communication with elite WRs Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader. Bottom line there- we need to win and score points.
  • There are five QBs to keep your eye on at this stage, in no particular order: Julian Sayin (Carlsbad, CA, Alabama Commit), Luke Moga (Phoenix, AZ), Maui Smith (San Mateo, CA, same high school as Tom Brady), Michael Van Buren (Baltimore, MD) and Air Noland (Atlanta, GA).
  • As much as the fans focus on the DT position, Mario is even more locked in. It is his personal mission to add five-star talent to that room. This will be one of the major stories of the 2024 class.
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Any update on Tyler Harrell (foot)? Thanks
 
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Bender said:
Yes and they are different from each other. Thats the point I was making. You won't see football players doing conditioning drills that are more aimed towards soccer.
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I find that to be such a generalization that you can’t possibly confirm it as being true. It’s very possible that soccer players and football players at some point in their training do similar sprints or running drills.

One thing that hasn’t changed in football is that there are running drills. To make a statement that they are different 100% of the time does not make sense. Neither you nor I have any idea whether there is overlap or not, so you can’t make the definitive statement that you made, at least in my opinion.
 
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jme231 said:
If Horton and George take the next step, receiver room doesn’t look terrible considering Young flashed last year. Still want those 2 extra receivers to push and add depth but that would be amazing
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Horton was jacked up in those offseason workout pics too
 
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Dwinstitles said:
Wr stupid thin Horton jag and George as well. C.Young showed promise. DT sheeeeesh
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Horton can be a serious player here as a big target type of guy I think 6-3 he can be a contested catch guy, but George he's super smooth when he runs but he's just so thin gets pushed around a lot man I'm not sure about him
 
252cane said:
Rivers at guard and Mauioga at RT. Cooper won’t start but will play will do him good to learn from cohen and rivers
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That's my exact line up too, Have Cooper be first guy off the bench or when we go to jumbo packages
 
TheOriginalCane said:
I think you might be surprised by Horton this year.

He's working hard this off-season.
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IMG_0527.jpg
 
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canecrazy23 said:
  • As much as the fans focus on the DT position, Mario is even more locked in. It is his personal mission to add five-star talent to that room. This will be one of the major stories of the 2024 class.

Well that made me happy!

Time to go have a Flor De Cana
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Yes, a fellow rum drinker! So much better than whiskey. Currently drinking El Dorado 12 yr old Guyana demerara rum on the rocks while watching the NHL All Star skills competition.
 
Canesfan1899 said:
Never thought Zion would be here next, he would be a nice surprise.
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Nelson is a microcosm of what has been wrong with Miami. The kid was a two-star project. He never did anything to merit his hype other than beat out a bunch of scrubs. Then his people started buying into the unmerited hype wanting him to go early, smh.

If the kid had just sat and marinated a couple years. learned to handle the extra 60-80 pounds his body was carrying, he could have been something special. I hope he comes back and does that this year. The quality competition will do him a ton of good. Win/win if he is healthy and locked in.
 
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