2020 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 4-star DB Jahvante Royal has been committed to Pitt for two months now, but his recruitment got a little more interesting recently when the local Miami Hurricanes extended an offer his way.
“It doesn’t really change my commitment, but I’m going to take a look at Miami and see what’s going on there to make sure I’m covering all my options,” Royal said.
Although recruiting sites list Royal as a safety, the UM coaching staff actually sees him as a corner at the next level. It seems cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph is already making an impression on the St. Thomas star.
“The coaching staff and coach Rumph is what has me interested in learning more about Miami,” Royal said.
What does he like about coach Rumph?
“He’s a cool guy, really cool guy,” Royal said. “He tells me that they really need me down there, so it feels good to know I’m a priority for them.”
Although he has no upcoming visits planned, Royal does expect that he will get down to Miami for a home game this fall. His last visit of the process came in late June on an official visit to Pitt, and he left campus committed to the Panthers.
“The coaching staff, the people up there, the vibe - it’s just the energy they give off felt like nowhere else I’ve been,” Royal said of why he committed to Pitt.
Royal’s main contact at Pitt has been DL coach Charlie Patridge, who recruits the South Florida area.
In lieu of taking many visits over the offseason, Royal has instead been putting in extra time working on improving his game at defensive back. The 6-3 185 pound prospect was mainly a WR in the past, but has focused on transitioning to DB full-time in the past year or so.
“I mean, coming from receiver and going to corner, I know what receivers do,” Royal said. “It’s not really that much harder, it’s just I have to learn the techniques and that’s it. I’m working on getting in and out of my breaks right now.”
After falling to Lakeland in the state title game last season, Royal feels like he and the rest of his Raider teammates are on the cusp of getting back to the championship in 2019.
“It’s always the same - high expectations, winning states, nothing less.”
At the Miami Opening Regional in February, Royal recorded a 4.64 40-yard dash 4.34 short shuttle, and a 34.40 inch vertical.
“It doesn’t really change my commitment, but I’m going to take a look at Miami and see what’s going on there to make sure I’m covering all my options,” Royal said.
Although recruiting sites list Royal as a safety, the UM coaching staff actually sees him as a corner at the next level. It seems cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph is already making an impression on the St. Thomas star.
“The coaching staff and coach Rumph is what has me interested in learning more about Miami,” Royal said.
What does he like about coach Rumph?
“He’s a cool guy, really cool guy,” Royal said. “He tells me that they really need me down there, so it feels good to know I’m a priority for them.”
Although he has no upcoming visits planned, Royal does expect that he will get down to Miami for a home game this fall. His last visit of the process came in late June on an official visit to Pitt, and he left campus committed to the Panthers.
“The coaching staff, the people up there, the vibe - it’s just the energy they give off felt like nowhere else I’ve been,” Royal said of why he committed to Pitt.
Royal’s main contact at Pitt has been DL coach Charlie Patridge, who recruits the South Florida area.
In lieu of taking many visits over the offseason, Royal has instead been putting in extra time working on improving his game at defensive back. The 6-3 185 pound prospect was mainly a WR in the past, but has focused on transitioning to DB full-time in the past year or so.
“I mean, coming from receiver and going to corner, I know what receivers do,” Royal said. “It’s not really that much harder, it’s just I have to learn the techniques and that’s it. I’m working on getting in and out of my breaks right now.”
After falling to Lakeland in the state title game last season, Royal feels like he and the rest of his Raider teammates are on the cusp of getting back to the championship in 2019.
“It’s always the same - high expectations, winning states, nothing less.”
At the Miami Opening Regional in February, Royal recorded a 4.64 40-yard dash 4.34 short shuttle, and a 34.40 inch vertical.
