2020 South Dade (FL) S Jaiden Francois committed to the Canes on Friday night after visiting campus with his teammates at Paradise Camp.
The 6-0, 180-pounder is currently unranked in the national rankings. His commitment keeps Miami’s class ranking to #1 overall on 247Sports and Rivals.
The Player
Francois is somebody Miami identified early on as a player they’d love to add to Category20 and for good reason: Francois shows on tape that he has a nose for the football and displays an impeccable football IQ. He played mostly safety and nickel for South Dade last season, and he is comfortable oscillating back and forth from the box to playing deep. However, he is at his best when making plays around the line of scrimmage. Francois was timed this summer at 4.46 seconds in the 40 as well. He will be a riser in the rankings very shortly.
Watching him up close at Paradise Camp made me an even bigger fan of his game. Francois was the best DB at the event and even showed off some positional versatility by working at boundary corner as well. What impressed me the most is that Francois is best known for his work inside the box and making plays at the line, but showed at camp he can run and cover with just about anyone. Francois had multiple interceptions as well, demonstrating great ball skills. He can really do it all and he’s a future star for the Canes.
The Class
Francois’ commitment brought the total class numbers to 9 (at the time) and he was the first safety commit in Category20 (since joined by teammate Keshawn Washington). Francois’ recruitment didn’t last very long, as he was offered in early May, so it took him just over two months to decide Miami was the right fit for him. It was awesome to see him and his close friends and teammates Washington and Jonathan Denis commit back-to-back-to-back like that, and they’ll all take their bond and undoubtedly further the feeling brotherhood on this team.
It’s unclear where Miami will go at safety in 2020 after this rapid development, but a lot depends on if Francois and Washington stick at this position. Francois played mostly safety and nickel at South Dade last season, but played some boundary corner at Paradise and looked like a natural at the position, while many have already projected Washington to outgrow DB and develop into a striker or a traditional linebacker.
As for other safeties that could join the class, recent 4-star decommitment Avantae Williams from DeLand (FL) is a name to keep on the radar. The Canes have continued to stay on him despite him opening things up and, although he was UM’s original top target at safety in this class, his mediocre season at IMG Academy (since transferred) has given some around the program pause. If he truly wants to be a Cane, these recent South Dade commits may have opened his eyes a little bit in terms of his spot not always being there for him to take whenever he wants. Marietta (GA) 4-star Rashad Torrence has an offer, but it’s a little unclear how much mutual interest is there between both parties at this time.
As for a wildcard at the position, look no further than 3-star ATH Xavier Restrepo from St. Thomas Aquinas (FL). The two-way athlete has lit up the camp scene this spring mainly at WR, but his tape screams impact safety in college. Restrepo is keeping things open for now, but the Canes were his childhood favorite and will be tough to beat here if they push for him.
The Team
By the time Francois hits campus in 2020, Miami will (at this time) have three other safeties on campus in senior Amari Carter, junior Gurvan Hall, and sophomore Keontra Smith. There’s also a good chance that UM adds another safety to pair with Smith for the 2019 class. That seems like a solid group, depending on if everyone develops properly. If the Carter/Hall/Smith combo is as good as advertised, it’s safe to say that Francois will take an apprentice role as a freshman at Miami, and has a good chance to play some nickel in certain situations as well. After Carter leaves in 2021, there’s a starting spot open for Francois or whoever else Miami recruits. With his ability, there’s no reason Francois shouldn’t be starting at least somewhere in the defensive backfield by the time he’s an upperclassman.
The 6-0, 180-pounder is currently unranked in the national rankings. His commitment keeps Miami’s class ranking to #1 overall on 247Sports and Rivals.
The Player
Francois is somebody Miami identified early on as a player they’d love to add to Category20 and for good reason: Francois shows on tape that he has a nose for the football and displays an impeccable football IQ. He played mostly safety and nickel for South Dade last season, and he is comfortable oscillating back and forth from the box to playing deep. However, he is at his best when making plays around the line of scrimmage. Francois was timed this summer at 4.46 seconds in the 40 as well. He will be a riser in the rankings very shortly.
Watching him up close at Paradise Camp made me an even bigger fan of his game. Francois was the best DB at the event and even showed off some positional versatility by working at boundary corner as well. What impressed me the most is that Francois is best known for his work inside the box and making plays at the line, but showed at camp he can run and cover with just about anyone. Francois had multiple interceptions as well, demonstrating great ball skills. He can really do it all and he’s a future star for the Canes.
The Class
Francois’ commitment brought the total class numbers to 9 (at the time) and he was the first safety commit in Category20 (since joined by teammate Keshawn Washington). Francois’ recruitment didn’t last very long, as he was offered in early May, so it took him just over two months to decide Miami was the right fit for him. It was awesome to see him and his close friends and teammates Washington and Jonathan Denis commit back-to-back-to-back like that, and they’ll all take their bond and undoubtedly further the feeling brotherhood on this team.
It’s unclear where Miami will go at safety in 2020 after this rapid development, but a lot depends on if Francois and Washington stick at this position. Francois played mostly safety and nickel at South Dade last season, but played some boundary corner at Paradise and looked like a natural at the position, while many have already projected Washington to outgrow DB and develop into a striker or a traditional linebacker.
As for other safeties that could join the class, recent 4-star decommitment Avantae Williams from DeLand (FL) is a name to keep on the radar. The Canes have continued to stay on him despite him opening things up and, although he was UM’s original top target at safety in this class, his mediocre season at IMG Academy (since transferred) has given some around the program pause. If he truly wants to be a Cane, these recent South Dade commits may have opened his eyes a little bit in terms of his spot not always being there for him to take whenever he wants. Marietta (GA) 4-star Rashad Torrence has an offer, but it’s a little unclear how much mutual interest is there between both parties at this time.
As for a wildcard at the position, look no further than 3-star ATH Xavier Restrepo from St. Thomas Aquinas (FL). The two-way athlete has lit up the camp scene this spring mainly at WR, but his tape screams impact safety in college. Restrepo is keeping things open for now, but the Canes were his childhood favorite and will be tough to beat here if they push for him.
The Team
By the time Francois hits campus in 2020, Miami will (at this time) have three other safeties on campus in senior Amari Carter, junior Gurvan Hall, and sophomore Keontra Smith. There’s also a good chance that UM adds another safety to pair with Smith for the 2019 class. That seems like a solid group, depending on if everyone develops properly. If the Carter/Hall/Smith combo is as good as advertised, it’s safe to say that Francois will take an apprentice role as a freshman at Miami, and has a good chance to play some nickel in certain situations as well. After Carter leaves in 2021, there’s a starting spot open for Francois or whoever else Miami recruits. With his ability, there’s no reason Francois shouldn’t be starting at least somewhere in the defensive backfield by the time he’s an upperclassman.
