Official visit season starts tomorrow, and the Canes are in a healthy position. As it stands, they have the #4 class on the Composite with 15 commits and a 92.90 average recruit rating. Now it's time to push it over the top. Here is the latest.

- There has been a lot of talk about numbers with this class. In the past, the discussion was always about scholarships. Now, it's salary. I expect the Canes to keep this class relatively small (20 players) in terms of NIL guys. That will give the staff flexibility to retain a loaded roster. They want a chance to develop their own young players.

But that doesn't mean they will only bring in 20 high school players. Don't be surprised if the Canes snatch some G5 prospects with limited NIL and full scholarships. This staff values senior film immensely and never stops evaluating.

- The story of this recruiting class right now is defensive end. If I had to place a wager, I'd bet on the Canes landing one of DJ Jacobs (Atlanta, GA) and Jaiden Bryant (Columbia, SC). Bryant is visiting this weekend and we remain in communication with Jacobs. The staff has prioritized the position, Jason Taylor's track record is established, and both five-stars have made multiple visits. There is an outside possibility, although not likely, that we could land both.



- Position-wise, I think the last spots will look something like this (in no order): DE, DT, LB, S, WR.

- The Canes would love to close the deal with WR Eli Woodard (Temecula, CA) this weekend. They have a chance to do so. They also love WR Tre Moore (Austin, TX). I could see this wrapping up soon one way or the other.

- At DT, the staff is eager to get an in-person look at DT DeMarco Jenkins (Houston, TX). Damione Lewis, a fellow Texan, is a huge advocate for Jenkins. This could move fast if the visit goes well.



- The LB board is the most wide-open on the team, aside from AJ Randle (Raleigh, NC). We have four linebackers scheduled to visit this week (Randle, Kaden Henderson, Noah Glover and Jalaythan Mayfield) one next week (Drew Williams) and one the following week (Aston Whiteside). Of all the remaining positions, this is the most unclear.

- The top target at safety appears to be Andre Hyppolyte (North Miami Beach). Jeff Bertani is the longest-tenured HS coach in Miami with a long history of NFL players, especially at defensive back. Those names include Kemal Ishmael (95 NFL games), EJ Biggers (92 NFL games), Johnathan Cyprien (79 NFL games) and Louis Delmas (78 NFL games). Coach Cristobal has tremendous respect for Bertani, and he coached Cyprien at FIU. Bertani speaks extremely highly about Hyppolyte, who is also playing QB this year.

Loia Valade (West Boca) is a good player but I don't think his price point made sense as a box safety. He is no longer visiting and not expected to reschedule.

- TE Jordan Karhoff (Columbus, OH) is another good player where the bidding outpaced the evaluation. I do expect the staff to address this position at one point. Remember, tight end is historically a late-bloomer position with converted QBs, oversized WRs and basketball players. For example, basketball convert Gavin Mueller rose from a three star to the #5 TE in America as a senior.

- At this time of the calendar, and with the IPF under construction, the team has been in conditioning mode. The IPF opens up next week, and football drills will pick up at the same time. We will have buzz from those workouts as they happen. But I wanted to share one name who could be a breakout candidate- LB Bobby Pruitt. He's put on serious weight and is now a full-time linebacker after dabbling at safety last year. He has an opportunity to carve out a major role as that third linebacker behind Mo Toure and Chase Smith.

 

Pruitt way more talented than smith I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t pass him up by season end

Based on what?

 

 

Sounds like it could hinge on what happens with Hayden Lowe?

I don't think it has anything to do with Lowe. From what I understood, I think we have the budget to afford both players.

 

Really surprised by that. Where was Samson?

I should have done this in the first place and just listed everything I saw. My caveat is that I cannot verify this information, but I bet there are some people on CIS who could. I also am not responsible for who is listed as a “probable starter” so please don’t kill the messenger. Lastly, I am rounding down the numbers, I saw really, really specific numbers (still may not be accurate)

Mensah-10 million (almost certainly includes the buyout number as well)
Fletcher-685
Jacobs-827
Barkate-975
Toney-1.5
Lofton-489
Cantwell-2.0
Samson-715
Rodriguez-688
Buchanan-538
McCoy-1.1

Lightfoot-1.05
Scott-918
Moten-990
Wilson-1.5
Toure-665
Chase-487
OJ-631
Bryce-612
Poyser-675
O’Connor-719
Thornton-787

Totals:
Retained players-21.76
Portal adds-17.78
Recruits-5.37

Total=44.90 million

My takeaways; This looks a lot like an NFL roster in terms of position allocation. WR’s make more than RB’s, even really good ones like Fletcher.
CB’s make more than LB’s (another reason I don’t see us paying up for Henderson).
DE is the most valued position on defense

Two more things….UM HAS A LOT OF MONEY. Even if all these numbers are inflated by 20% we still have guys making a lot of money.
And, if you need a loan, go see a UM football player. He has it!

 

I should have done this in the first place and just listed everything I saw. My caveat is that I cannot verify this information, but I bet there are some people on CIS who could. I also am not responsible for who is listed as a “probable starter” so please don’t kill the messenger. Lastly, I am rounding down the numbers, I saw really, really specific numbers (still may not be accurate)

Mensah-10 million (almost certainly includes the buyout number as well)
Fletcher-685
Jacobs-827
Barkate-975
Toney-1.5
Lofton-489
Cantwell-2.0
Samson-715
Rodriguez-688
Buchanan-538
McCoy-1.1

Lightfoot-1.05
Scott-918
Moten-990
Wilson-1.5
Toure-665
Chase-487
OJ-631
Bryce-612
Poyser-675
O’Connor-719
Thornton-787

Totals:
Retained players-21.76
Portal adds-17.78
Recruits-5.37

Total=44.90 million

My takeaways; This looks a lot like an NFL roster in terms of position allocation. WR’s make more than RB’s, even really good ones like Fletcher.
CB’s make more than LB’s (another reason I don’t see us paying up for Henderson).
DE is the most valued position on defense

Two more things….UM HAS A LOT OF MONEY. Even if all these numbers are inflated by 20% we still have guys making a lot of money.
And, if you need a loan, go see a UM football player. He has it!

Why would you post this? Unless its open info or just someones guess, putting out someone else's private financials aint right.

 

I should have done this in the first place and just listed everything I saw. My caveat is that I cannot verify this information, but I bet there are some people on CIS who could. I also am not responsible for who is listed as a “probable starter” so please don’t kill the messenger. Lastly, I am rounding down the numbers, I saw really, really specific numbers (still may not be accurate)

Mensah-10 million (almost certainly includes the buyout number as well)
Fletcher-685
Jacobs-827
Barkate-975
Toney-1.5
Lofton-489
Cantwell-2.0
Samson-715
Rodriguez-688
Buchanan-538
McCoy-1.1

Lightfoot-1.05
Scott-918
Moten-990
Wilson-1.5
Toure-665
Chase-487
OJ-631
Bryce-612
Poyser-675
O’Connor-719
Thornton-787

Totals:
Retained players-21.76
Portal adds-17.78
Recruits-5.37

Total=44.90 million

My takeaways; This looks a lot like an NFL roster in terms of position allocation. WR’s make more than RB’s, even really good ones like Fletcher.
CB’s make more than LB’s (another reason I don’t see us paying up for Henderson).
DE is the most valued position on defense

Two more things….UM HAS A LOT OF MONEY. Even if all these numbers are inflated by 20% we still have guys making a lot of money.
And, if you need a loan, go see a UM football player. He has it!

Strangely and probably just a coincidence but that number lines up with that social media post from outkicked sports that had us listed as #2 at 44MM. Initially the McCooy number surprised me but seeing where Rodriguez is at is very surprising. Thanks for sharing the info.

 

Why would you post this? Unless its open info or just someones guess, putting out someone else's private financials aint right.

This is online. Apparently everyone knows.
And salaries should not be a secret anyways. Get paid like a pro and get treated like a pro.

 

Why would you post this? Unless its open info or just someones guess, putting out someone else's private financials aint right.

That list says - come to Miami and get paid. If anything its helping us.

 

Strangely and probably just a coincidence but that number lines up with that social media post from outkicked sports that had us listed as #2 at 44MM. Initially the McCooy number surprised me but seeing where Rodriguez is at is very surprising. Thanks for sharing the info.

More or less than you expected for RR?

And do you think TE is a low value postion at UM, in general, or Lofton took a cut because of last season?

 

That list says - come to Miami and get paid. If anything it’s helping us.

I’m always curious as to why anyone thinks UM should run from the “was paid a lot to go to UM” narrative. I think it’s the best advertising there is.
It certainly does not seem to bother the Dodgers.

 

I’m always curious as to why anyone thinks UM should run from the “was paid a lot to go to UM” narrative. I think it’s the best advertising there is.
It certainly does not seem to bother the Dodgers.

Its just that old stance of having some sort of fake/outdated higher moral standing. We need to be shouting from the rooftops that we are paying well. Every time another program's insiders/writers said Miami came through with a bag needs to be celebrated. **** yeah we dropped a bag for Donte Wright, we got more money than Nike, come to sunny Miami to ball out and get paid.

 

More or less than you expected for RR?

And do you think TE is a low value postion at UM, in general, or Lofton took a cut because of last season?

Way more, kid has never started here and I dont think Im out of line to say I thought he was just the best we have at center and not what we want. Well that number seems to say otherwise.

 

Depth is a problem. I'm not worried about Toure and Smith. They played sound football during the CFP.

Not yet it's not!... haven't played a game, bonner has played (ncst) and wiley is 2nd string..time to shine .

 

Why would you post this? Unless its open info or just someone’s guess, putting out someone else's private financials aint right.

Apparently, someone posted this which is where he got the numbers

 

why do you consistently write off Chase Smith?

Cause this is like his 7th yr and he isn't very athletic anymore and is average at best, and a liability against the pass like Toure but maybe not quite so much...And Having both our starting LBs being straight line 2 down LBs that have extensive injury histories as 7th yr players is objectively bad and shows how complete garbage we have been at developing the position or willing to play youth at this position. Wiley, Pruitt, Bonner, Busch (and I would say Edwards and Campbell, but that's undersized and very new to position) should get force fed every opportunity possible to get the starting job or at least heavy rotation....

 

It's not about Pruitt specifically for me at all. I thought he should have gotten a lot more PT last year. Wiley obviously after like half way through season we went into preserving RS mode. But I don't like the news about Wiley apparantely moving to more of a hybrid edge? (at least what it means for our LB core and rotation Im saying)....

I haven't liked how pruitt has been used since he's been here. I don't like how Wiley doesn't seem to be ready to step up. I think Toure is bad against the pass and just a downhill thumper type, which is fine but he's a 2 down player. Chase smith I think is average and plays and looks like robocop. I think everyone saying Smith has some great athleticism or mobility is tripping or living in the past 5 injuries ago. The fact he's about to start the entire season is not a positive. Marcelin imo is the least talented LB we've brought in in like 3 years and I don't expect anything from him personally. plus he's severely undersized. Campbell has never truly played off ball LB before so will need min 1-2 years before he actually contributes other than ST. Edwards is way too undersized to contribute asap - same as Pruitt was as a frosh. Busch I think COULD, but is the last person to be enrolled on the team, so who knows.... I guess we will see about Bonner. He's probably now the best hope at Chase Smith not being a season long starter I guess... But the fact he didn't play last year is just as headscratching as Pruitt. In fact more so given his experience at NCSt. Though I already thought he had a lower ceiling than Pruitt did anyways...

I'd love if Pruitt became the guy to start above Smith. I just have zero faith in the coaches to actually play him given they have refused to do so for 3 years now. I'd really love for Wiley to be the guy. But theres been zero indication that'll happen...

So your assessment of the position is that we're thin from both a frontline (starter) and depth perspective. Yet your favorites haven't gotten the run you think they should. And why is that? Based on your thoughts the only logical move would be to replace Heatherman, in spite of a track record of remarkable success, perhaps with you (?)!
Have you considered that maybe from an instinctive/reading keys/assignment standpoint, one of your favorites isn't mastering the position? Maybe the 'lightbulb' simply hasn't gone on yet, or even more concerning - maybe never will. Seems logical to find a place where obvious physical traits can be utilized. At least for now. Unless you know better, of course.

Another one of your faves is the consummate tweener. We see these types have little impact at the D-1 level ALL the time. And if they ever do, it may take time. Malik Bryant, for example, is at a similar crossroad in Missouri. High school LB's' who excel at edge, but don't translate immediately, if ever. D-1 safeties, who exceled in LB type roles, but struggle with the physical requirements of D-1 LB's. Now three years in, MAYBE the 'added' weight fits the frame without diminishing existing skills. Or maybe not.

Then there's your whipping boy, who has persevered through injury and is CONTRIBUTING. And who knows, with more and more experience may be solid. In spite of your observation, we're not talking Ragone here. There is length and some athletic ability, and IF injuries stay in the rear view mirror we could see even more. Or, maybe just a rotational type, IF one of the others STEP UP. As for the evaluation of the position, think I'll ride with Heatherman.

 

So your assessment of the position is that we're thin from both a frontline (starter) and depth perspective. Yet your favorites haven't gotten the run you think they should. And why is that? Based on your thoughts the only logical move would be to replace Heatherman, in spite of a track record of remarkable success, perhaps with you (?)!
Have you considered that maybe from an instinctive/reading keys/assignment standpoint, one of your favorites isn't mastering the position? Maybe the 'lightbulb' simply hasn't gone on yet, or even more concerning - maybe never will. Seems logical to find a place where obvious physical traits can be utilized. At least for now. Unless you know better, of course.

Another one of your faves is the consummate tweener. We see these types have little impact at the D-1 level ALL the time. And if they ever do, it may take time. Malik Bryant, for example, is at a similar crossroad in Missouri. High school LB's' who excel at edge, but don't translate immediately, if ever. D-1 safeties, who exceled in LB type roles, but struggle with the physical requirements of D-1 LB's. Now three years in, MAYBE the 'added' weight fits the frame without diminishing existing skills. Or maybe not.

Then there's your whipping boy, who has persevered through injury and is CONTRIBUTING. And who knows, with more and more experience may be solid. In spite of your observation, we're not talking Ragone here. There is length and some athletic ability, and IF injuries stay in the rear view mirror we could see even more. Or, maybe just a rotational type, IF one of the others STEP UP. As for the evaluation of the position, think I'll ride with Heatherman.

What a stupid response.

 

Based on what?

My opinion. We’ll see if I’m right at the end of the season. I’m very high on Pruitt

 

Apparently, someone posted this which is where he got the numbers

Ahh gotcha, thanks.
Ok thats totally different than posting inside info that was not meant for public consumption.

 

So your assessment of the position is that we're thin from both a frontline (starter) and depth perspective. Yet your favorites haven't gotten the run you think they should. And why is that? Based on your thoughts the only logical move would be to replace Heatherman, in spite of a track record of remarkable success, perhaps with you (?)!
Have you considered that maybe from an instinctive/reading keys/assignment standpoint, one of your favorites isn't mastering the position? Maybe the 'lightbulb' simply hasn't gone on yet, or even more concerning - maybe never will. Seems logical to find a place where obvious physical traits can be utilized. At least for now. Unless you know better, of course.

Another one of your faves is the consummate tweener. We see these types have little impact at the D-1 level ALL the time. And if they ever do, it may take time. Malik Bryant, for example, is at a similar crossroad in Missouri. High school LB's' who excel at edge, but don't translate immediately, if ever. D-1 safeties, who exceled in LB type roles, but struggle with the physical requirements of D-1 LB's. Now three years in, MAYBE the 'added' weight fits the frame without diminishing existing skills. Or maybe not.

Then there's your whipping boy, who has persevered through injury and is CONTRIBUTING. And who knows, with more and more experience may be solid. In spite of your observation, we're not talking Ragone here. There is length and some athletic ability, and IF injuries stay in the rear view mirror we could see even more. Or, maybe just a rotational type, IF one of the others STEP UP. As for the evaluation of the position, think I'll ride with Heatherman.

You understand football my friend! If you can’t diagnose a play, LB is probably not going to work. Bryant was a perfect example.