Last December, Miami signed OT Zion Nelson, who weighed just 240 pounds. While this move was highly-criticized at the time, Nelson is finishing spring practice as a member of the first team unit. With the Nelson experiment looking like a success so far, Miami has decided to recruit more undersized offensive linemen this cycle. The newest of these recruits to receive an offer is Tampa Jesuit OT Connor McLaughlin. This 6’7’’ 260-pound tackle was only offered by Miami a week ago, but there has been communication for a few weeks now.
“I have talked to Coach Barry for a week, and I talk to him the most. However, I have talked to Pop Cooney a little bit too.”
OL Coach Butch Barry has mentioned in the past that he prefers to build his linemen up rather than having to slim them down, and this is what he is selling McLaughlin on.
“How I’d fit into the program as a lengthy tackle and how I’d take a bit more time to develop, but with my length, could be a really good player.”
This message appears to hit home with McLaughlin.
“I like that a lot. Knowing that a former NFL coach would coach me, a guy who really knows how to teach long tackles is very important to me.”
Some players would feel uncomfortable being told that they are more of a project, but not McLaughlin. Here is what he said when asked if he was fine with that role.
“Yes because I like having to work for something. It will be worth it at a bigger school.”
McLaughlin has yet to visit Miami, but he plans on making the trip down sometime early in the summer. One thing that he does know is that his former teammate and 2019 Miami tight end signee Larry Hodges likes Miami.
“He just likes the coaches and vibes a lot, but we haven’t talked about the offense they run.”
Even for someone who has never taken a visit to Miami and was just recently offered, the turn-around under head coach Manny Diaz has been clear and noticeable
“I don’t know coach Diaz, but he seems cool, and he’s done a full 180 with the culture. That’s the first step, and he’s done it very well.”
Right now, the schools recruiting McLaughlin the hardest are Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke, Miami, and his father’s alma mater, Wake Forest. Despite growing up a Wake Forest fan, McLaughlin claims that he has no leaders. McLaughlin plans on taking summer official visits and them making a decision before the July dead period.
“I have talked to Coach Barry for a week, and I talk to him the most. However, I have talked to Pop Cooney a little bit too.”
OL Coach Butch Barry has mentioned in the past that he prefers to build his linemen up rather than having to slim them down, and this is what he is selling McLaughlin on.
“How I’d fit into the program as a lengthy tackle and how I’d take a bit more time to develop, but with my length, could be a really good player.”
This message appears to hit home with McLaughlin.
“I like that a lot. Knowing that a former NFL coach would coach me, a guy who really knows how to teach long tackles is very important to me.”
Some players would feel uncomfortable being told that they are more of a project, but not McLaughlin. Here is what he said when asked if he was fine with that role.
“Yes because I like having to work for something. It will be worth it at a bigger school.”
McLaughlin has yet to visit Miami, but he plans on making the trip down sometime early in the summer. One thing that he does know is that his former teammate and 2019 Miami tight end signee Larry Hodges likes Miami.
“He just likes the coaches and vibes a lot, but we haven’t talked about the offense they run.”
Even for someone who has never taken a visit to Miami and was just recently offered, the turn-around under head coach Manny Diaz has been clear and noticeable
“I don’t know coach Diaz, but he seems cool, and he’s done a full 180 with the culture. That’s the first step, and he’s done it very well.”
Right now, the schools recruiting McLaughlin the hardest are Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke, Miami, and his father’s alma mater, Wake Forest. Despite growing up a Wake Forest fan, McLaughlin claims that he has no leaders. McLaughlin plans on taking summer official visits and them making a decision before the July dead period.
on field. If we do well on the field then it will be realistic for Rivers and/or Dennis to end up in this class.
