It's been a good week for the Canes. Here is the latest on what's next:
- I continue to like Miami for RB
Derrek Cooper (Chaminade). It will be a battle, but I can't see the Canes losing this one. The prioritization of Cooper is the main reason RB
Jae Lamar (Moultrie, GA) is not a Cane. I expect RB
Javian Mallory (West Boca) to stay in the class.
- With that said, Georgia is pushing hard and spending money after James Coley lost WR
Vance Spafford (Orange County, CA) to Miami. They're making a real push for DT
James Johnson (Northwestern) and, while that's still a fight, Georgia has the momentum.
- I still expect Miami to land TE
Zachery Turner (Duncanville, TX), one of my favorite players in the class. Even with TE
Israel Briggs (Visalia, CA) and potentially Turner committed, the Canes would still take TE
Heze Kent (Brunswick, GA). That's another battle but there is more communication there than I thought.
- The Canes continue to push hard for DT/DE
Bryce Perry-Wright (Buford, GA), DE
Jaquez Wilkes (Wadley, AL), DE
Anthony Jones (Mobile, AL) and
DT Nolan WIlson (Picayune, MS). While many have focused on DT
Freddie Wilson (Spruce Creek, FL) as an additional DT in the class, I think there's more of a chance that spot goes to
Anthony Kennedy (Little Rock, AR). I'm not confident on DT
Lamar Brown (Baton Rouge, LA) but hope I'm wrong there.
- The staff loves Spafford and WR
Tyran Evans (Charlotte, NC). But they want to add more. I believe WR
Tristen Keys (Hattiesburg, MS) is significantly more likely than WR
Calvin Russell (Northwestern). That doesn't mean Keys is a lock, but Miami is making an aggressive push there and is squarely in the game.
- The Canes are also ramping up efforts to close OL
Breck Kolojay (IMG). I could see that situation coming to a head sooner than later. I would pick the Canes, but it's a true heavyweight battle.
- Michigan commit CB
Brody Jennings (Jacksonville, FL), S
Devin Jackson (Orlando) and S
Blake Stewart (Atlanta) remain the top targets at DB.
- Overall, the internal message is that the staff wants to head into the season at a healthy place, protect their own commits, and close on other team's commits at a rate like 2022-2024 and not 2025. They're confident in the plan, and now it's about execution on and off the field.
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