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.

 

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!

Assuming you got from here. They changed the number on Mensah after everyone was saying $10M was ridiculous.

https://www.thenilstandard.com/football/teams/miami

 

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.

Ppl love the young inexperienced athletic Lber until he makes the wrong read or fills the wrong gap on crucial play then its “why tf WaS He in ThEre!?”.. Toure & Smith both played good ball overall during our playoff run but yeah let’s play the inexperienced young guys over them because they run faster.

Edit: come to think of it those were the two guys who impacted arguably the most important play of the season against A&M

 

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

These having been coming from some bs Reddit bot accounts. No verifiable info at all.

 

Assuming you got from here. They changed the number on Mensah after everyone was saying $10M was ridiculous.

https://www.thenilstandard.com/football/teams/miami

Its a very intresting site, even as just a guide.

Worth having a look through how the other teams structure NIL positionally.

As you would expect LSU, OSU, Oregon and Texas spending slightly more than us with some weird allocations and ROI.

 

Its a very intresting site, even as just a guide.

Worth having a look through how the other teams structure NIL positionally.

As you would expect LSU, OSU, Oregon and Texas spending slightly more than us with some weird allocations and ROI.

Exactly. The actual numbers matter less than the relative numbers. If UM spends more than school X, then it just does,

How you count the numbers can be different. Fox example, assume that the cost of Mensah to the NIL budget is 10 million split between what he makes and the buyout to Duke. Mensah might cost UM $10 million even if the player doesn’t receive $10 million.

None of the rest of the numbers seem outrageous.

But it doesn’t really matter because what it really tells us is that UM exists in the highest of NIL levels in college football. We are really, really lucky to be fans of UM football because college football has no salary cap. This is like the MLB and we are big spenders; Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, and a few others. And even if a salary cap is adopted, the Supreme Court has already said no law to prevent a person from making money from their likeness. So we will always be able to compete on the most important scale of all; MONEY.

 

2. The numbers are estimates — don't rely on them for decisions
Our valuations are for general informational and editorial purposes only. They are not financial, legal, contractual, or professional advice, and they may differ — sometimes substantially — from any amount an athlete is actually offered, paid, or worth. Do not use our figures as the basis for any financial, contractual, recruiting, negotiation, or other decision. If you need advice for an actual decision, consult a qualified professional.

 

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

If we had a true difference maker at LB Mendoza goes hone on a stretcher on 4th and 2 instead of twirling into the end zone

 

Total guess but this is the guy we flip

Looks like @VustyVoles finally came around. Now we just need @flagator86 to do the same!

 

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

Agree; but they both need to stay healthy. But Hetherman needs to play the youngins too! There's too much talent there to be sitting.

 

Last year was the depth class. Just a giant roster of recruits with a lot of developmental types in the lower half of the class.

This is the all killer, no filler class with no wasted money and every bit of cap room goes to those 4-star and above types.

Good class comin, but we really need to flip a few of these players we fought hard for but just missed out on.

Except for Zesty! Use that NIL to lock down Bryant and Jacobs.

 

I'm thinking the Mark Matthews $$$ is available for a whale and its being reallocated.

Me hopes you 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!

No offense to him but…

Ryan Rodriguez at 688k?? lol how? Why?

How many pitchers could that buy JD?! lol

 

No offense to him but…

Ryan Rodriguez at 688k?? lol how? Why?

How many pitchers could that buy JD?! lol

200kish increase annually once he started getting a check.

Hes been sought after by other schools. Hes just a Cane.

 

This is just an NIL value projection right? I find it hard to believe they are paying minaya and Isiah Taylor that much

 

Assuming only one of Henderson. Glover, or Mayfield, what are people's preferences?

Glover is the fastest of the bunch. I will always defer to speed.

 

Those #s are being pulled almost completely out of thin air not even worth trying to unpack any insight from them at all.

 

Those #s are being pulled almost completely out of thin air not even worth trying to unpack any insight from them at all.

Facts bro I have no idea what the obsession with 20 spots is. We hosting all these targets and what are they gonna turn almost all of these guys down yea ok. All these summer OVs and fall season evals coming, I bet it ends up being close to standard 25

 

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!

McCoy-1.1 is insane

 

What a stupid response.

 

If we had a true difference maker at LB Mendoza goes hone on a stretcher on 4th and 2 instead of twirling into the end zone

GMAFB. Indiana executed a play. It happens. Are you saying in 1992 we didn't have any "true difference makers" at LB because Alabama ran all over us?