Recruiting is speeding up even before official visit season, so itās a good time to take the temperature of the class. Here is the latest Iām hearing:
- I havenāt 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 donāt think it wouldāve 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 didnāt 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. Theyāve prioritized the position and have the resources. The three names Iām watching are DJ Jacobs (Atlanta, GA), Jaiden Bryant (Columbia, SC) and Jabarrius āChickenā Garror (Mobile, AL). Taylor visited Garror this week.
- While the public discussion has been focused on Tampaās 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 Upshawās cousin.
- Things seemed to be trending toward TE Jordan Karhoff (Columbus, OH), but Iām told we are now expanding the board. Donāt 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 AiāKing Hall (Dothan, AL), Nash Johnson (Atlanta, GA), and Aamaury Fountain (Warner Robinson, GA).
- An underrated name to keep an eye on at DE- 6ā5, 230-pound Adriel Rojas out of Forsyth, Georgia. Jason Taylor saw him in person and Rojas is scheduling an OV for the third week of visits.
- Miami does not want to let Jayvon Dawson (Santaluces) leave South Florida. He has some of the best testing metrics in America (6ā4, 220 with speed), good grades and good film. The only question is whether he is a DE or LB.