Recruiting is speeding up even before official visit season, so it’s a good time to take the temperature of the class. Here is the latest I’m hearing:
- I haven’t heard any optimism yet regarding Mark Matthews (STA). With that said, his situation is different than Jackson Cantwell this time last year. Unlike Missouri, Florida does not permit early NIL deals. I don’t think it would’ve mattered with Cantwell anyway, but Matthews will be more vulnerable for a flip and Miami will push like crazy.
- The Canes could have likely landed Olu Olubobola (Jersey City, NJ) but the price got too high. There were two primary considerations: (1) he was less likely to play early than other players in that price range; and (2) we didn’t want to preclude the possibility of flipping back Matthews.
- David Folorunsho (Chicago) is more of a toss-up. That is still a heated battle in advance of his decision on Friday.
- I expect the Canes to make a big splash at DE. They’ve prioritized the position and have the resources. The three names I’m watching are DJ Jacobs (Atlanta, GA), Jaiden Bryant (Columbia, SC) and Jabarrius “Chicken” Garror (Mobile, AL). Taylor visited Garror this week.
- While the public discussion has been focused on Tampa’s Kaden Henderson (who we like), Coach Hetherman is enamored with AJ Randle (Raleigh, NC) and Jerrell Chandler (Knoxville, TN). He places a premium length and athleticism and those are the two highest-upside backers on the board. We are pushing extremely hard and have momentum.
- We also have momentum with another top-of-the-board prospect in OG Jatori Williams (Phoenix City, AL). Mirabal is visiting today and visited last week. Williams is Daylyn Upshaw’s cousin.
- Things seemed to be trending toward TE Jordan Karhoff (Columbus, OH), but I’m told we are now expanding the board. Don’t know if it was him or us, or the price tag. We may take that position into the season and evaluate senior tape. Demarcus DeRoche (Cardinal Gibbons) is already committed and tight end is typically a late-bloomer position (see Gavin Mueller last year).
- Shannon Dawson got his first in-person look at QB commit Israel Abrams (Chicago, IL) and loved what he saw. The staff is feeling very good about this evaluation.
- Our secondary board looks very strong. The theme seems to be South Florida inside, national outside. Jaylyn Jones (McArthur) is committed at safety, with Sherrod Gourdine (McArthur) locked up at nickel. They continue to push for Andre Hyppolite (North Miami Beach) and Loia Valade (West Boca) and are working to flip Zayden Gamble (STA) from Notre Dame.
At outside corner, Donte Wright (Los Angeles, CA) is committed and the other names they like include Oregon commit Ai’King Hall (Dothan, AL), Nash Johnson (Atlanta, GA), and Aamaury Fountain (Warner Robinson, GA).
- An underrated name to keep an eye on at DE- 6’5, 230-pound Adriel Rojas out of Atlanta. Jason Taylor saw him in person and Rojas is scheduling an OV for the third week of visits.
