Miami signed 21 players in the early signing period and it looks to be a really strong class. Everyone loves a list, so I decided to watch a full game of every recruit and then rank them. A few caveats: 1. I’m not ranking the kicker, because frankly, I’m not a kicker expert. Safe to say he’s a great kicking prospect and he probably starts as a freshman. 2. Someone has to populate every spot on the list. Someone has to be last. Someone has to be 17th etc. This is a good recruiting class and some good recruits are going in at these lower rankings. 3. I’ve been wrong before and some of the players ranked at the bottom will prove me wrong and some at the top probably will as well.
Methodology
10. Michael McLaughlin- OT, 6-7, 290, Stoneman Douglas (Pompano Beach, FL) #338 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 9, Agility- 7, Frame- 10, Potential- 7
Strengths: He’s another in TE converts to the OL who have held their initial quickness and speed as they’ve added weight. There is a 10 on his frame because he has perfect, height, length, and build to get to 320 pounds and still move.
For a 6-7 OL he can actually bend at his knees and has flexibility. Is able to roll his hips and engage on down blocks and actually move people.
The length and reach allows his to recover and re-route pass rushers past his QB and maintain a pocket. For a player new to the position shows an awareness in pass protection and is always looking for work.
Opportunities: I mentioned that he is a TE-convert and he pretty much lost a year of development with a shortened season due to the pandemic. He needs reps and constant coaching. Currently, his kick-slide is off rhythm and late to the outside (the worst place to be because then you’re reaching an leaning). He uses a two-hand punch currently and I strongly dislike a two-hand punch in pass protection on anything but a jump-set.
When pass-blocking he leans rather than remaining patient and waiting for the pass-rusher to declare. This causes him to be off-balance and play without much power.
Has almost no clue how to use his hands. His technique is basically to try and bench-press a pass-rusher and steer them, leaving himself open to rips and inside-moves.
Overall: Of every player on this list, McLaughlin is the one that saw the most variance of places I considered putting him on the list. I settled on #10 because he just has so much potential if he hits a 90th percentile outcome. With his size, length, foot speed, agility, and flexibility, he has everything you look for in a HS LT prospect. The downside is he is a year away from being a year away. There is almost no chance he helps Miami next year, and might not actually perform ahead of some of our experienced walk-ons in practice next year. For that reason I considered placing him everywhere from #18 to #7.
A player that Garin Justice could really use as a resume builder for the future because he needs to be taught the position essentially from the ground up. McLaughlin played pretty mediocre competition and doesn’t appear to have gotten top-notch coaching. He’s here almost entirely because of tools.
9. Brashard Smith- WR, 5-9, 190, Miami Palmetto (Miami, FL) #215 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 8, Agility- 8, Frame- 4, Potential- 7
Strengths: Every time I watched Smith play I liked him a little more. This recruiting season had several players vying for a few spots and initially I wanted Miami to take a few other WR’s, but each time I watched full games of Smith I was drawn to his on-field play temperament. A short player, but a player who has real strength to his game. When I watch WR’s, I like to watch how they finish plays. Do they immediately look to get down, or find the sideline, or do they look to finish each play? Are they looking to block, or just get in the way of the defender? When they know the ball isn’t coming their way, do they run the same route as when they are first read? Smith clearly loves football and everything that comes with it.
As football evolves, one player archetype that is gaining in popularity is the RB/WR hybrid type who can break tackles and get yards after catch (YAC). Smith played a bunch of wildcat QB, which is something I like seeing in offensive prospects. He made plays as a RB, WR, QB, returner and packs a lot of physicality. Reminds one of Kadarius Toney, from UF.
Opportunities: Because of the fact he played so much wildcat QB, RB etc. he doesn’t have the game reps as a true WR to really hone his craft. For the most part, the only routes in his tree are bubbles, slants, go-routes. You can see when he runs a slant he has the ability to hold speed as he changes direction, but stringing together moves and keeping at his landmarks is not something he has shown to be adept at.
Short with short arms will limit the catch radius and has not shown to have the ability to make contested catches. Tough, with strong hands, but limited frame caps his ability to play every WR position.
Overall: Brings a different skill-set than the other two WR’s in that he’s a WR with a RB’s body. Will make a living on yards-after-catch in this scheme and has the physicality to be more than a gadget player once he learns the nuances of the position. Brings juice to the return game as well.
8. Jacolby George- WR, 5-11, 161, Plantation (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) #170 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 6, Agility- 6, Frame- 6, Potential- 7
Strengths: As a receiver, I always want to see if you can process what is happening after the snap and be in sync with your QB. This is an easy release, so not so much the release, but rather the awareness to get his head around quickly and be ready for the pass. Defense brings one more than they can block, which means QB has time for only one read before ball comes out. Often times, this ball zips past the helmet of the receiver because he isn’t in-sync with QB. George takes this to the 8-yard line.
George is a returner for his team and is productive in ways other than being a receiver. Smooth in his routes, excellent hands, and made plays against pretty much every opponent. With the WR position, production is the best indicator of future success and George produced in a big way.
His offense truly makes him the focal point of the entire offense. Even when they run the ball he is a decoy that the defense has to give attention to. Often times on run plays he is setting a bubble screen or some other form of eye candy that stretches the defense out.
Long arms and an understanding of attacking the football in the air. What really gave him the difference from the other two WR’s was his desire to attack the ball and come back to it, rather than fading away at the catch point, which drives me nuts.
Opportunities: Too skinny at the moment. He will struggle to get a release against any type of press coverage and will have to learn the nuances of playing receiver without as much open space.
Want to see more physicality and strength added. On film he is often times going down on first contact and that speaks to a lack of leg drive and core strength. Of all of the recruits in this class, George might be the one to benefit the most from our S & C program.
Verified testing numbers are below average across the board. It shows up on tape, where he is caught from behind often. Because of his understanding of route-running he creates a lot of separation, but unless he shows he can beat press, he will be relegated to slot duties because he isn’t dynamic or physical enough to excel on the outside without better releases.
Overall: I envision a career for George that excels in the slot and takes advantage of the space-and-pace offense we are running. He understands the receiver position and was highly productive despite the defense setting up to stop him. I wouldn’t argue if you ranked him third of the WR’s, or anywhere in-between. I see a player that gets open and has upside once he improves his core strength and leg drive.
7. Thad Franklin- RB, 6-0, 225, Chaminade (Hollywood, FL) #242 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 7, Agility- 6, Frame- 9, Potential- 8
Strengths: Huge frame with tools to be a thumper in the run game. Looks for contact and always falls forward. Big legs, calves, and upper body. Type of kid that could look like Captain America in a college S&C program.
Understands what the goal of the play is. Meaning, he understands that if a play call is going to leave a LB unblocked in a gap and he has the responsibility of making that defender commit to a gap before making a cut, he will press the hole and accomplish that before bouncing. Just a natural runner within structure and in the open-field.
Has ability to be at top speed in just a few steps. That top-speed is not a burner, but he gets to gaps quickly due to his ability to accelerate. Hits the hole hard and decisively. There is no dancing with this kid and he has very good vision.
Balance is outstanding. Glancing blows do not knock him off his feet. Combined with quick feet, he has excellent lateral quickness, which makes his jump-cut potentially dynamic.
Soft hands in the passing game, but not overly featured there.
Opportunities: Runs too high, exposing his body to big hits and reducing his ability to break tackles. While his style is to run high, when he has time to see a second-level defender he shows the knee-bend to deliver a blow and finish behind his pads.
He’s not a burner. On film he probably runs a 4.75. Will not be a sprinter-type back who takes your breath away with speed.
His limited attempts at pass-protection were downright brutal. This is a skill that can be taught, but it impacted Chaney’s ability to get on the field last year and will do the same to Franklin if it isn’t rectified.
Overall: This is a big back who will grind up defenses and wear them down. The type that if it’s blocked for five will get you seven due to his ability to finish runs.
Despite some speed limitations, this is an athletic kid. He’s a good basketball player who can dunk it off of two-feet. I love the way he plays the game and how he is decisive in his runs. This kid will absolutely thrive in the inside-zone heavy scheme Miami runs and could see more time than you’d expect within this crowded Miami RB room.
6. Elijah Arroyo- TE, 6-4, 210, Independence (Frisco, TX) #213 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 8, Agility- 8, Frame- 7, Potential- 9
Strengths: Red Zone. Threat. Elijah Arroyo has a nose for the end zone and is going to really make life easier for the QB once they enter the red zone. Long, athletic, and with great body control, he is able to make catches in tight spaces. The team he is playing here is a national power and double-covered him often. He still found a way to get open and make plays. Here, he releases inside and fights to get back outside and the ball is behind him, but he is able to spin and make the catch.
Long strides mask how fast he can be in the open field. In a college S & C program he will run 4.6’s at 240 pounds. Plays even bigger than his 6-4 size suggests.
Opportunities: Currently is an oversized WR and will need to learn to block attached to the line. Similar to Will Mallory in that he excels as a slot WR who can stretch the defense and exploit the seam, but also similar in the fact he cannot be expected to handle an edge 1-on-1. Wham blocks, down blocks, seal blocks will be his calling cards in the run game.
At this point is a bit of a linear athlete. It’s a great attribute to be long, athletic, with excellent ball skills, but he will need to prove he can do more than bust a seam at the college level.
Overall: Track athlete with legitimate high-jump abilities and hand-eye coordination to make contested catches, he has NFL upside. Speed work will be important with him as currently he’s a bit of a build-up runner who isn’t as sudden as you’d like off the LOS. Not a nuanced route runner to really make a DB declare and open his hips before he makes any sort of break, but that can be learned.
This kid can really help fill a void in this receiving group as that Y-TE who detaches off the line, wins at catch-point, and can throw in some explosive plays after the catch. Like this kid’s potential a whole lot.
5. Laurence Seymore- G/C, 6-2, 293, Mami Central (Miami, FL) #162 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 8, Agility- 8, Frame- 5, Potential- 8
Strengths: Any discussion of Seymore’s strengths has to include his ability to pull and play under control on the move. His balance is incredible and he really has a desire to hit someone on every play. Miami’s interior OL was putrid on pulls/traps/counters and I believe Seymore fits what we need perfectly for this reason. This poor edge defender is getting absolutely pancaked.
In basketball, when I’m looking at post players I want to see their hands and their feet. You can teach a big man to do most other things if he has good hands and feet. It’s somewhat similar for an OL, though you also need to be smart and nasty on the OL, and Seymore has the feet of a 200-pound man. His feet and hands work together in unison so well and he understands angles and leverage really well for a HS OL. On one play he got his shoulders turned to gain leverage before the defender got out of his stance and it was a play that immediately transfers to the college level.
Versatile player. Miami Central played him at RT, RG, LT, LG in the same game. It might sound like OL is OL, but each position is quite a bit different due to the kick being opposite at T and the help responsibilities being different at G. LG is involved with more combo blocks, inside-shoulder of LT, pulls etc. while RG is left alone without help more than any lineman other than LT. That versatility will go a long way towards getting him in the two-deep as a freshman.
Opportunities: There is no way around the fact that his body leaves a lot to be desired for a big-time OL. Arms shorter than you’d like. Height shorter than you’d like. If he develops to the point of a pro career I am fairly certain teams will want to look at him at center. With his balance and feet and intelligence with angles, I’m not so certain his best position isn’t C for college, either.
Not an elite athlete. Will sometimes struggle with elite speed and quickness.
He plays too high. Want to see him show the ability to bend at the knees and deliver strikes while engaging his core and hips more. He blocks mainly with his upper-body currently. It works at the HS level, but college will bring different dudes.
Telegraphs his pulls currently. Especially from RT he lines that foot at an angle when he’s going to pull and holds it in more when he’s blocking man-up. Likes to spin off his right foot to turn back inside to pull down the line. Will want to line up the same consistently at the next level.
Overall: This is an OL that I really like on tape. He has the ability to sync his upper body and lower body movements together and attack the opponent. Wants to take the soul of the player lined up across from him and is powerful in the upper body. Like a lot of HS linemen, he is getting by on talent at the moment and has a long way to go from an understanding of how to use his hands, patience in his punch, and understanding how to control a defender, rather than just trying to crush them.
Once he understands nuances of the position and learns to engage his core and hips more often, you have the makings of a standout at any position on the OL. Big time addition.
*Also, give me the QB for Miami Central and #9 on the DL from Palmetto. Both sophomores in this game and both are high-level talents. Wesley at LB is a freak show as well. Fun game to break down.
4. Jake Garcia- QB, 6-2, 195, Grayson (Loganville, GA) #46 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 6, Agility- 6, Frame- 7, Potential- 9
Strengths: Garcia throws a nice, soft ball. He spins it well and the nose is always pointing down (makes it easier to catch for the WR).
While Garcia does not have a cannon for an arm, he has made 50-yard throws while running to his left in games.
Accuracy is solid, not elite. Passes tend to be catchable, but not to correct shoulder, or out-front to keep running etc.
Shows ability to manipulate defenders with shoulder fakes and move them to open up throwing lanes.
Really understands passing concepts and reading high-to-low. His CA offense ran a lot of pistol offense and continuously asked him to push the ball downfield on first read and then come back to the other side of the field for deep posts and hitches. It was an air-raid offense that loved four-verticals. Then he goes to Georgia and they’re running an Ace-Heavy “check with me” offense that he is continually changing the play after the coaches look at the defense. Handled both well and was a winner.
Opportunities: Footwork wanes, which leads to inconsistency. Stride length varies, gets quick in his top half. Elbow can drop and ball can sail. For a QB with his tools, he misses too many easy throws.
Struggles with pressure in his face. Tends to drop his eyes and look to escape, rather than looking to find receivers downfield. Both offenses he has played in split the field in half and limited his reads. Was this a coaching/schematic decision, or does he struggle seeing the whole field?
Crosses his feet on drop-backs and then takes a “gather-hitch” to get on rhythm.
Due to being a QB lifer, you wonder how much upside is remaining with him.
Overall: You repeatedly hear coaches say they want players who love football. Garcia left his comfy California digs, where he was no doubt living a life that isn’t terrible to be Jake Garcia in high school, to move to Georgia just so he could play ball. He already had a Miami offer. He already had a USC offer. He just wanted to play ball. Then when he moves to Georgia and starts his season, he is ruled ineligible and decides to leave his school again, to go to Grayson so he can finish his senior year. There is something to be said for your QB loving the grind enough to go through all of that just to play and compete.
Have watched every full-game I can find on Garcia and I like him more each time I watch him. He’s so consistent game-to-game, he’s an incredibly enthusiastic kid who people seem to want to play with.
Lashlee has had success with a QB who plays a similar style in Shane Buechele, so while Garcia is not a burner, he’s not a statue and will make plays with his legs to extend drives.
3. Kamren Kinchens- SS, 5-11, 201, Miami Northwestern (Miami, FL) #332 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 7, Agility- 8, Frame- 8, Potential- 9
Strengths: There are times I know I am probably overvaluing a kid because I just love the way they play the game and how they act as a coach on the field. That player this year is probably Kinchens. He lines his teammates up before plays, communicates with everyone, and holds them accountable for mistakes. When a teammate messed up on the field, he was there to quickly correct the issue. Teammates turned and watched him during timeouts and play stoppages. When I see that happening on film, that player almost always outperforms his expectations. With Kinchens, you also have an athletically gifted player who has a chance at an NFL future.
Broad shoulders, thin waisted player with the frame to carry 10 more pounds, but is fairly developed as-is.
Diagnostic skills allows him to see plays as they're developing. Is a missile against screens, takes excellent angles with ball in the air, and has the ball skills to finish plays. A pass defensed is nice, but an interception is gold. Kinchens finishes chances for picks.
Opportunities: Already developed physically and you wonder how much projection remains.
For a player who may fit best in a hybrid SS/Nickel/Overhang role, he doesn't tackle the best. Want to see him finish plays in the run game at a higher rate and really drive with his hips at the point of contact.
Lack of elite length shows up on film at times and might impact his ability to handle TE's in the red zone.
Athletic kid, but will probably run 4.7's. Speed training will be critical for him as well as keeping his flexibility in his hips as he grows.
Overall: Instinctive player who had nine interceptions as a junior and is a leader at a powerhouse program. A player who will outperform his rankings and be a leader and winner on this defense. Excited to watch this kid on tape and soon at Miami.
Methodology
- Linear Speed- How fast is the recruit in a straight line compared to other P5 prospects at that same position. Corey Flagg would be a 5 for linear speed at ILB etc.
- Agility- Ability to change directions compared to other P5 prospects at that same position. DJ Ivey would be a 5 for agility at CB.
- Frame- Prospects frame compared to other P5 prospects at that same position. Nesta Silvera would be a 5 for frame at DT.
- Potential- With average development in a P5 program, what is the ultimate potential of a prospect compared to other P5 prospects at that same position. N’Kosi Perry would be a 5 for potential at QB.
10. Michael McLaughlin- OT, 6-7, 290, Stoneman Douglas (Pompano Beach, FL) #338 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 9, Agility- 7, Frame- 10, Potential- 7
Strengths: He’s another in TE converts to the OL who have held their initial quickness and speed as they’ve added weight. There is a 10 on his frame because he has perfect, height, length, and build to get to 320 pounds and still move.
For a 6-7 OL he can actually bend at his knees and has flexibility. Is able to roll his hips and engage on down blocks and actually move people.
The length and reach allows his to recover and re-route pass rushers past his QB and maintain a pocket. For a player new to the position shows an awareness in pass protection and is always looking for work.
Opportunities: I mentioned that he is a TE-convert and he pretty much lost a year of development with a shortened season due to the pandemic. He needs reps and constant coaching. Currently, his kick-slide is off rhythm and late to the outside (the worst place to be because then you’re reaching an leaning). He uses a two-hand punch currently and I strongly dislike a two-hand punch in pass protection on anything but a jump-set.
When pass-blocking he leans rather than remaining patient and waiting for the pass-rusher to declare. This causes him to be off-balance and play without much power.
Has almost no clue how to use his hands. His technique is basically to try and bench-press a pass-rusher and steer them, leaving himself open to rips and inside-moves.
Overall: Of every player on this list, McLaughlin is the one that saw the most variance of places I considered putting him on the list. I settled on #10 because he just has so much potential if he hits a 90th percentile outcome. With his size, length, foot speed, agility, and flexibility, he has everything you look for in a HS LT prospect. The downside is he is a year away from being a year away. There is almost no chance he helps Miami next year, and might not actually perform ahead of some of our experienced walk-ons in practice next year. For that reason I considered placing him everywhere from #18 to #7.
A player that Garin Justice could really use as a resume builder for the future because he needs to be taught the position essentially from the ground up. McLaughlin played pretty mediocre competition and doesn’t appear to have gotten top-notch coaching. He’s here almost entirely because of tools.
9. Brashard Smith- WR, 5-9, 190, Miami Palmetto (Miami, FL) #215 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 8, Agility- 8, Frame- 4, Potential- 7
Strengths: Every time I watched Smith play I liked him a little more. This recruiting season had several players vying for a few spots and initially I wanted Miami to take a few other WR’s, but each time I watched full games of Smith I was drawn to his on-field play temperament. A short player, but a player who has real strength to his game. When I watch WR’s, I like to watch how they finish plays. Do they immediately look to get down, or find the sideline, or do they look to finish each play? Are they looking to block, or just get in the way of the defender? When they know the ball isn’t coming their way, do they run the same route as when they are first read? Smith clearly loves football and everything that comes with it.
As football evolves, one player archetype that is gaining in popularity is the RB/WR hybrid type who can break tackles and get yards after catch (YAC). Smith played a bunch of wildcat QB, which is something I like seeing in offensive prospects. He made plays as a RB, WR, QB, returner and packs a lot of physicality. Reminds one of Kadarius Toney, from UF.
Opportunities: Because of the fact he played so much wildcat QB, RB etc. he doesn’t have the game reps as a true WR to really hone his craft. For the most part, the only routes in his tree are bubbles, slants, go-routes. You can see when he runs a slant he has the ability to hold speed as he changes direction, but stringing together moves and keeping at his landmarks is not something he has shown to be adept at.
Short with short arms will limit the catch radius and has not shown to have the ability to make contested catches. Tough, with strong hands, but limited frame caps his ability to play every WR position.
Overall: Brings a different skill-set than the other two WR’s in that he’s a WR with a RB’s body. Will make a living on yards-after-catch in this scheme and has the physicality to be more than a gadget player once he learns the nuances of the position. Brings juice to the return game as well.
8. Jacolby George- WR, 5-11, 161, Plantation (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) #170 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 6, Agility- 6, Frame- 6, Potential- 7
Strengths: As a receiver, I always want to see if you can process what is happening after the snap and be in sync with your QB. This is an easy release, so not so much the release, but rather the awareness to get his head around quickly and be ready for the pass. Defense brings one more than they can block, which means QB has time for only one read before ball comes out. Often times, this ball zips past the helmet of the receiver because he isn’t in-sync with QB. George takes this to the 8-yard line.
George is a returner for his team and is productive in ways other than being a receiver. Smooth in his routes, excellent hands, and made plays against pretty much every opponent. With the WR position, production is the best indicator of future success and George produced in a big way.
His offense truly makes him the focal point of the entire offense. Even when they run the ball he is a decoy that the defense has to give attention to. Often times on run plays he is setting a bubble screen or some other form of eye candy that stretches the defense out.
Long arms and an understanding of attacking the football in the air. What really gave him the difference from the other two WR’s was his desire to attack the ball and come back to it, rather than fading away at the catch point, which drives me nuts.
Opportunities: Too skinny at the moment. He will struggle to get a release against any type of press coverage and will have to learn the nuances of playing receiver without as much open space.
Want to see more physicality and strength added. On film he is often times going down on first contact and that speaks to a lack of leg drive and core strength. Of all of the recruits in this class, George might be the one to benefit the most from our S & C program.
Verified testing numbers are below average across the board. It shows up on tape, where he is caught from behind often. Because of his understanding of route-running he creates a lot of separation, but unless he shows he can beat press, he will be relegated to slot duties because he isn’t dynamic or physical enough to excel on the outside without better releases.
Overall: I envision a career for George that excels in the slot and takes advantage of the space-and-pace offense we are running. He understands the receiver position and was highly productive despite the defense setting up to stop him. I wouldn’t argue if you ranked him third of the WR’s, or anywhere in-between. I see a player that gets open and has upside once he improves his core strength and leg drive.
7. Thad Franklin- RB, 6-0, 225, Chaminade (Hollywood, FL) #242 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 7, Agility- 6, Frame- 9, Potential- 8
Strengths: Huge frame with tools to be a thumper in the run game. Looks for contact and always falls forward. Big legs, calves, and upper body. Type of kid that could look like Captain America in a college S&C program.
Understands what the goal of the play is. Meaning, he understands that if a play call is going to leave a LB unblocked in a gap and he has the responsibility of making that defender commit to a gap before making a cut, he will press the hole and accomplish that before bouncing. Just a natural runner within structure and in the open-field.
Has ability to be at top speed in just a few steps. That top-speed is not a burner, but he gets to gaps quickly due to his ability to accelerate. Hits the hole hard and decisively. There is no dancing with this kid and he has very good vision.
Balance is outstanding. Glancing blows do not knock him off his feet. Combined with quick feet, he has excellent lateral quickness, which makes his jump-cut potentially dynamic.
Soft hands in the passing game, but not overly featured there.
Opportunities: Runs too high, exposing his body to big hits and reducing his ability to break tackles. While his style is to run high, when he has time to see a second-level defender he shows the knee-bend to deliver a blow and finish behind his pads.
He’s not a burner. On film he probably runs a 4.75. Will not be a sprinter-type back who takes your breath away with speed.
His limited attempts at pass-protection were downright brutal. This is a skill that can be taught, but it impacted Chaney’s ability to get on the field last year and will do the same to Franklin if it isn’t rectified.
Overall: This is a big back who will grind up defenses and wear them down. The type that if it’s blocked for five will get you seven due to his ability to finish runs.
Despite some speed limitations, this is an athletic kid. He’s a good basketball player who can dunk it off of two-feet. I love the way he plays the game and how he is decisive in his runs. This kid will absolutely thrive in the inside-zone heavy scheme Miami runs and could see more time than you’d expect within this crowded Miami RB room.
6. Elijah Arroyo- TE, 6-4, 210, Independence (Frisco, TX) #213 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 8, Agility- 8, Frame- 7, Potential- 9
Strengths: Red Zone. Threat. Elijah Arroyo has a nose for the end zone and is going to really make life easier for the QB once they enter the red zone. Long, athletic, and with great body control, he is able to make catches in tight spaces. The team he is playing here is a national power and double-covered him often. He still found a way to get open and make plays. Here, he releases inside and fights to get back outside and the ball is behind him, but he is able to spin and make the catch.
Long strides mask how fast he can be in the open field. In a college S & C program he will run 4.6’s at 240 pounds. Plays even bigger than his 6-4 size suggests.
Opportunities: Currently is an oversized WR and will need to learn to block attached to the line. Similar to Will Mallory in that he excels as a slot WR who can stretch the defense and exploit the seam, but also similar in the fact he cannot be expected to handle an edge 1-on-1. Wham blocks, down blocks, seal blocks will be his calling cards in the run game.
At this point is a bit of a linear athlete. It’s a great attribute to be long, athletic, with excellent ball skills, but he will need to prove he can do more than bust a seam at the college level.
Overall: Track athlete with legitimate high-jump abilities and hand-eye coordination to make contested catches, he has NFL upside. Speed work will be important with him as currently he’s a bit of a build-up runner who isn’t as sudden as you’d like off the LOS. Not a nuanced route runner to really make a DB declare and open his hips before he makes any sort of break, but that can be learned.
This kid can really help fill a void in this receiving group as that Y-TE who detaches off the line, wins at catch-point, and can throw in some explosive plays after the catch. Like this kid’s potential a whole lot.
5. Laurence Seymore- G/C, 6-2, 293, Mami Central (Miami, FL) #162 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 8, Agility- 8, Frame- 5, Potential- 8
Strengths: Any discussion of Seymore’s strengths has to include his ability to pull and play under control on the move. His balance is incredible and he really has a desire to hit someone on every play. Miami’s interior OL was putrid on pulls/traps/counters and I believe Seymore fits what we need perfectly for this reason. This poor edge defender is getting absolutely pancaked.
In basketball, when I’m looking at post players I want to see their hands and their feet. You can teach a big man to do most other things if he has good hands and feet. It’s somewhat similar for an OL, though you also need to be smart and nasty on the OL, and Seymore has the feet of a 200-pound man. His feet and hands work together in unison so well and he understands angles and leverage really well for a HS OL. On one play he got his shoulders turned to gain leverage before the defender got out of his stance and it was a play that immediately transfers to the college level.
Versatile player. Miami Central played him at RT, RG, LT, LG in the same game. It might sound like OL is OL, but each position is quite a bit different due to the kick being opposite at T and the help responsibilities being different at G. LG is involved with more combo blocks, inside-shoulder of LT, pulls etc. while RG is left alone without help more than any lineman other than LT. That versatility will go a long way towards getting him in the two-deep as a freshman.
Opportunities: There is no way around the fact that his body leaves a lot to be desired for a big-time OL. Arms shorter than you’d like. Height shorter than you’d like. If he develops to the point of a pro career I am fairly certain teams will want to look at him at center. With his balance and feet and intelligence with angles, I’m not so certain his best position isn’t C for college, either.
Not an elite athlete. Will sometimes struggle with elite speed and quickness.
He plays too high. Want to see him show the ability to bend at the knees and deliver strikes while engaging his core and hips more. He blocks mainly with his upper-body currently. It works at the HS level, but college will bring different dudes.
Telegraphs his pulls currently. Especially from RT he lines that foot at an angle when he’s going to pull and holds it in more when he’s blocking man-up. Likes to spin off his right foot to turn back inside to pull down the line. Will want to line up the same consistently at the next level.
Overall: This is an OL that I really like on tape. He has the ability to sync his upper body and lower body movements together and attack the opponent. Wants to take the soul of the player lined up across from him and is powerful in the upper body. Like a lot of HS linemen, he is getting by on talent at the moment and has a long way to go from an understanding of how to use his hands, patience in his punch, and understanding how to control a defender, rather than just trying to crush them.
Once he understands nuances of the position and learns to engage his core and hips more often, you have the makings of a standout at any position on the OL. Big time addition.
*Also, give me the QB for Miami Central and #9 on the DL from Palmetto. Both sophomores in this game and both are high-level talents. Wesley at LB is a freak show as well. Fun game to break down.
4. Jake Garcia- QB, 6-2, 195, Grayson (Loganville, GA) #46 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 6, Agility- 6, Frame- 7, Potential- 9
Strengths: Garcia throws a nice, soft ball. He spins it well and the nose is always pointing down (makes it easier to catch for the WR).
While Garcia does not have a cannon for an arm, he has made 50-yard throws while running to his left in games.
Accuracy is solid, not elite. Passes tend to be catchable, but not to correct shoulder, or out-front to keep running etc.
Shows ability to manipulate defenders with shoulder fakes and move them to open up throwing lanes.
Really understands passing concepts and reading high-to-low. His CA offense ran a lot of pistol offense and continuously asked him to push the ball downfield on first read and then come back to the other side of the field for deep posts and hitches. It was an air-raid offense that loved four-verticals. Then he goes to Georgia and they’re running an Ace-Heavy “check with me” offense that he is continually changing the play after the coaches look at the defense. Handled both well and was a winner.
Opportunities: Footwork wanes, which leads to inconsistency. Stride length varies, gets quick in his top half. Elbow can drop and ball can sail. For a QB with his tools, he misses too many easy throws.
Struggles with pressure in his face. Tends to drop his eyes and look to escape, rather than looking to find receivers downfield. Both offenses he has played in split the field in half and limited his reads. Was this a coaching/schematic decision, or does he struggle seeing the whole field?
Crosses his feet on drop-backs and then takes a “gather-hitch” to get on rhythm.
Due to being a QB lifer, you wonder how much upside is remaining with him.
Overall: You repeatedly hear coaches say they want players who love football. Garcia left his comfy California digs, where he was no doubt living a life that isn’t terrible to be Jake Garcia in high school, to move to Georgia just so he could play ball. He already had a Miami offer. He already had a USC offer. He just wanted to play ball. Then when he moves to Georgia and starts his season, he is ruled ineligible and decides to leave his school again, to go to Grayson so he can finish his senior year. There is something to be said for your QB loving the grind enough to go through all of that just to play and compete.
Have watched every full-game I can find on Garcia and I like him more each time I watch him. He’s so consistent game-to-game, he’s an incredibly enthusiastic kid who people seem to want to play with.
Lashlee has had success with a QB who plays a similar style in Shane Buechele, so while Garcia is not a burner, he’s not a statue and will make plays with his legs to extend drives.
3. Kamren Kinchens- SS, 5-11, 201, Miami Northwestern (Miami, FL) #332 (4-star)
Linear Speed- 7, Agility- 8, Frame- 8, Potential- 9
Strengths: There are times I know I am probably overvaluing a kid because I just love the way they play the game and how they act as a coach on the field. That player this year is probably Kinchens. He lines his teammates up before plays, communicates with everyone, and holds them accountable for mistakes. When a teammate messed up on the field, he was there to quickly correct the issue. Teammates turned and watched him during timeouts and play stoppages. When I see that happening on film, that player almost always outperforms his expectations. With Kinchens, you also have an athletically gifted player who has a chance at an NFL future.
Broad shoulders, thin waisted player with the frame to carry 10 more pounds, but is fairly developed as-is.
Diagnostic skills allows him to see plays as they're developing. Is a missile against screens, takes excellent angles with ball in the air, and has the ball skills to finish plays. A pass defensed is nice, but an interception is gold. Kinchens finishes chances for picks.
Opportunities: Already developed physically and you wonder how much projection remains.
For a player who may fit best in a hybrid SS/Nickel/Overhang role, he doesn't tackle the best. Want to see him finish plays in the run game at a higher rate and really drive with his hips at the point of contact.
Lack of elite length shows up on film at times and might impact his ability to handle TE's in the red zone.
Athletic kid, but will probably run 4.7's. Speed training will be critical for him as well as keeping his flexibility in his hips as he grows.
Overall: Instinctive player who had nine interceptions as a junior and is a leader at a powerhouse program. A player who will outperform his rankings and be a leader and winner on this defense. Excited to watch this kid on tape and soon at Miami.
