In order to keep and add-on new talent for the future, Miami will hold its third annual Paradise Camp tomorrow, with the event beginning at 6 pm. After the camp’s huge success in unearthing under the radar players and furthering bonds with top targets, Miami will expect nothing less than a spectacular event for this year’s edition. Paradise will again attract elite talent from all over from Florida and beyond, as Paradise will be filled with top-notch competition and former Hurricane stars to coach up the young prospects (*projected attendees here*).
And the CIS Team will be there to cover it all. The day before the event, we came together to preview what we’ll be watching for at Paradise Camp in a roundtable format. Here were the results.
Q1. Which Miami commit are you most excited to see compete at Paradise?
Stefan Adams: For me, it’s easily Justin Hodges. He’s been the most interesting take in this class so far in my mind. His length is freaky, and he shows top-notch ball skills on film, but I want to see if he can play faster than the 4.89 40 yard dash he recently recorded in February. He’s also listed at 155 pounds, so I’m intrigued to see if he can handle more physical receivers. The receiver crop is loaded this weekend, and, assuming most of WR’s actually show up and compete, we’ll get a good barometer on where Hodges is at in his development right now.
Matthew Suero: The centerpiece of any class is the quarterback. This will most likely be my only chance to see Tyler Van Dyke throw live before he enrolls at Miami so I will be paying close attention. Fellow commits Marcus Fleming, Xavier Restrepo, Romello Brinson, Kahlil Brantley, and Dominic Mammarelli will also be in attendance, so it will be good to see Van Dyke build some chemistry with his future receivers.
Cory Grimes: Easy answer for me - Xavier Restrepo. Whether, it's drills, doing 1-on-1's, or in the games on Friday nights, the guy doesn't know how to give anything less than 100%. He is truly a joy to watch and always seems to get more reps than anyone else at these camps because he seems to find a way to sneak to the front of the lines. He usually makes some highlight reel plays along the way too. There's been some speculation that his future could be on the defensive side of the ball, so it'll be interesting to see what position he works at Paradise camp. Regardless of position, Restrepo is a football junkie who relishes any and all opportunities to compete. He'll remind people why he belongs this weekend at Paradise Camp.
Q2. Which Miami target are you most excited to see compete at Paradise?
Stefan: I would love to see Avantae Williams play in person. I’m a big fan of what he can do on tape, and his burst and close is exceptional. His wheels jump off his film and his just has the type of game that is exciting to watch. Obviously there will be no hitting at the event, but Williams knows how to lower the boom as well. The Canes would love to add a presence like Williams on their last line of defense and he is the type of safety you can trust in single-high coverages to clean up any mistakes with his great range. It’s big that the Canes are getting him back on campus again after seemingly fading with him for the past few months.
Matthew: Of every camp/spring game I have been to this offseason, nobody has been more fun to watch than Gulliver’s Yulkeith Brown. Despite being a 2021 recruit, Brown is still who I am most excited to see play. Brown dominated the 7-on-7 camp two weeks ago and will look to do the same at Paradise camp.
Cory: Jacorey Brooks was highly productive for Booker T. Washington last year and established himself as one of the best pass catchers in the country for the 2021 cycle. There will be a loaded crop of receivers at Paradise Camp. I really believe is Brooks is right near the top of that group regardless of class. I want to see if he comes out and performs to that level. He can make DB's look downright stupid during jump balls. He is one of the guys who has the potential to put on a show in a setting like Paradise Camp. He will certainly be a priority for many top schools in the 2021 cycle. Jacorey Brooks will make his presence felt this weekend in Coral Gables.
Q3. Which Miami target or commit will most raise their stock at the event?
Stefan: I could go a lot of ways on this one, but I’m going to settle on McArthur LB Ruben Hyppolite here. Hyppolite has gradually been getting some respect in the rankings the past few months, but he is still rated a 3-star and that tag simply does not match up with his film. His speed from the linebacker spot is tantalizing and he has the potential to be a true sideline-to-sideline player. I can see him having a “Jahfari Harvey” type Paradise Camp and really busting out against some top-level competition in front of both the staff and the media.
Matthew: There will be much bigger names in attendance, but I am very excited to watch OT Cayden Baker. It is not a guarantee that Baker will work out due to a basketball tournament, but if he does perform, he could end up opening some eyes. Standing at 6’6’’ and only 260 pounds, Baker fits the mold of what Coach Butch Barry seems to want out of his OT recruits. Baker’s basketball background gives him mobility and athleticism that is unique at the offensive tackle position. Should he perform well, Baker may even be given the green light to commit.
Cory: Gulliver Prep's Yulkeith Brown is a human highlight reel and has really made a splash during the 7-on-7 circuit this off-season. His stock has been on the rise since the end of his sophomore season, and I believe that continues this weekend. He's one of the more versatile athletes in the 2021 class with great patience and breakaway speed as a running back, but also shows elite quickness and a knack for making unreal catches look routine at receiver. I'd be willing to bet he'll make a couple noteworthy plays during the competition drills at Paradise Camp. I imagine Miami and other top schools will have Brown as a priority in the next cycle.
Q4. Which UM target are you most interested in hearing from in an interview?
Stefan: Considered Miami’s top 2020 DE target right now, Jaylen Harrell is famously quiet when it comes to discussing his recruitment and he doesn’t do many interviews. If you don’t get him in person at an event, forget about talking with him. As such, there is little information out there on which way he is leaning and all the mystery leads you to believe he is very open. I want to find out if that’s true or not, and talking with Harrell could be a golden opportunity.
Matthew: Former Miami commit Ladarius Tennison has visited multiple schools, including Miami, since he decided to open his recruitment back up in April. Now that Tennison has had a chance to see some other schools, I’m interested to know where Miami stands on his list and what his official visit schedule looks like.
Cory: I am going to cheat and go with two here. The two recent decommits in James Williams and Donell Harris have been said to be in attendance this weekend. I want to hear from them and see where their head is at in the process and maybe hear a little more about why they decommitted. Harris, now a 2020 recruit, and James Williams, class of 2021, are major priorities in their respective classes. The likes of Alabama, Georgia and Clemson are banging at the door. I am sure Miami faithful is anxious to hear more about where the Canes stand for these 5-star recruits.
And the CIS Team will be there to cover it all. The day before the event, we came together to preview what we’ll be watching for at Paradise Camp in a roundtable format. Here were the results.
Q1. Which Miami commit are you most excited to see compete at Paradise?
Stefan Adams: For me, it’s easily Justin Hodges. He’s been the most interesting take in this class so far in my mind. His length is freaky, and he shows top-notch ball skills on film, but I want to see if he can play faster than the 4.89 40 yard dash he recently recorded in February. He’s also listed at 155 pounds, so I’m intrigued to see if he can handle more physical receivers. The receiver crop is loaded this weekend, and, assuming most of WR’s actually show up and compete, we’ll get a good barometer on where Hodges is at in his development right now.
Matthew Suero: The centerpiece of any class is the quarterback. This will most likely be my only chance to see Tyler Van Dyke throw live before he enrolls at Miami so I will be paying close attention. Fellow commits Marcus Fleming, Xavier Restrepo, Romello Brinson, Kahlil Brantley, and Dominic Mammarelli will also be in attendance, so it will be good to see Van Dyke build some chemistry with his future receivers.
Cory Grimes: Easy answer for me - Xavier Restrepo. Whether, it's drills, doing 1-on-1's, or in the games on Friday nights, the guy doesn't know how to give anything less than 100%. He is truly a joy to watch and always seems to get more reps than anyone else at these camps because he seems to find a way to sneak to the front of the lines. He usually makes some highlight reel plays along the way too. There's been some speculation that his future could be on the defensive side of the ball, so it'll be interesting to see what position he works at Paradise camp. Regardless of position, Restrepo is a football junkie who relishes any and all opportunities to compete. He'll remind people why he belongs this weekend at Paradise Camp.
Q2. Which Miami target are you most excited to see compete at Paradise?
Stefan: I would love to see Avantae Williams play in person. I’m a big fan of what he can do on tape, and his burst and close is exceptional. His wheels jump off his film and his just has the type of game that is exciting to watch. Obviously there will be no hitting at the event, but Williams knows how to lower the boom as well. The Canes would love to add a presence like Williams on their last line of defense and he is the type of safety you can trust in single-high coverages to clean up any mistakes with his great range. It’s big that the Canes are getting him back on campus again after seemingly fading with him for the past few months.
Matthew: Of every camp/spring game I have been to this offseason, nobody has been more fun to watch than Gulliver’s Yulkeith Brown. Despite being a 2021 recruit, Brown is still who I am most excited to see play. Brown dominated the 7-on-7 camp two weeks ago and will look to do the same at Paradise camp.
Cory: Jacorey Brooks was highly productive for Booker T. Washington last year and established himself as one of the best pass catchers in the country for the 2021 cycle. There will be a loaded crop of receivers at Paradise Camp. I really believe is Brooks is right near the top of that group regardless of class. I want to see if he comes out and performs to that level. He can make DB's look downright stupid during jump balls. He is one of the guys who has the potential to put on a show in a setting like Paradise Camp. He will certainly be a priority for many top schools in the 2021 cycle. Jacorey Brooks will make his presence felt this weekend in Coral Gables.
Q3. Which Miami target or commit will most raise their stock at the event?
Stefan: I could go a lot of ways on this one, but I’m going to settle on McArthur LB Ruben Hyppolite here. Hyppolite has gradually been getting some respect in the rankings the past few months, but he is still rated a 3-star and that tag simply does not match up with his film. His speed from the linebacker spot is tantalizing and he has the potential to be a true sideline-to-sideline player. I can see him having a “Jahfari Harvey” type Paradise Camp and really busting out against some top-level competition in front of both the staff and the media.
Matthew: There will be much bigger names in attendance, but I am very excited to watch OT Cayden Baker. It is not a guarantee that Baker will work out due to a basketball tournament, but if he does perform, he could end up opening some eyes. Standing at 6’6’’ and only 260 pounds, Baker fits the mold of what Coach Butch Barry seems to want out of his OT recruits. Baker’s basketball background gives him mobility and athleticism that is unique at the offensive tackle position. Should he perform well, Baker may even be given the green light to commit.
Cory: Gulliver Prep's Yulkeith Brown is a human highlight reel and has really made a splash during the 7-on-7 circuit this off-season. His stock has been on the rise since the end of his sophomore season, and I believe that continues this weekend. He's one of the more versatile athletes in the 2021 class with great patience and breakaway speed as a running back, but also shows elite quickness and a knack for making unreal catches look routine at receiver. I'd be willing to bet he'll make a couple noteworthy plays during the competition drills at Paradise Camp. I imagine Miami and other top schools will have Brown as a priority in the next cycle.
Q4. Which UM target are you most interested in hearing from in an interview?
Stefan: Considered Miami’s top 2020 DE target right now, Jaylen Harrell is famously quiet when it comes to discussing his recruitment and he doesn’t do many interviews. If you don’t get him in person at an event, forget about talking with him. As such, there is little information out there on which way he is leaning and all the mystery leads you to believe he is very open. I want to find out if that’s true or not, and talking with Harrell could be a golden opportunity.
Matthew: Former Miami commit Ladarius Tennison has visited multiple schools, including Miami, since he decided to open his recruitment back up in April. Now that Tennison has had a chance to see some other schools, I’m interested to know where Miami stands on his list and what his official visit schedule looks like.
Cory: I am going to cheat and go with two here. The two recent decommits in James Williams and Donell Harris have been said to be in attendance this weekend. I want to hear from them and see where their head is at in the process and maybe hear a little more about why they decommitted. Harris, now a 2020 recruit, and James Williams, class of 2021, are major priorities in their respective classes. The likes of Alabama, Georgia and Clemson are banging at the door. I am sure Miami faithful is anxious to hear more about where the Canes stand for these 5-star recruits.
