Class Impact: Romello Brinson to Miami, Part Two

Stefan Adams
6 min read
2021 Miami Northwestern (FL) WR Romello Brinson committed to the Miami Hurricanes for a second time over the weekend, marking his return to the fold and giving UM another dangerous playmaker.



The 6-2, 180-pounder is currently a consensus 4-star prospect according to major recruiting services. According to the 247Sports Composite Ranking, Brinson is the #132 player nationally in 2021, the #25 WR in the country, and the #21 player in Florida. Brinson's commitment moves Miami up to the #10 overall class in the team rankings on 247Sports and #10 overall on Rivals.


The Player

Brinson has long been one of the top players on Miami’s wish-list, even under the old offensive staff, and he landed his UM offer in October of 2018. From then on, UM was always going to be tough to beat for Brinson, who grew up loving his hometown program. After visiting for junior day in February 2019, Brinson knew Miami was the place for him and committed to the Canes. However, like some of the other offensive stars in Miami’s 2021 class, Brinson decommitted from UM following a poor showing on offense during the 2019 season. Similar to classmates Chaminade-Madonna (FL) 4-star Thad Franklin and Plantation (FL) 4-star Jacolby George, though, Brinson was convinced to return to the class this weekend after the Canes switched coordinators and established a fuller vision for the attack unit. UM won out for Brinson over other offers from Georgia, Texas A&M, LSU, and Alabama among others.

As a junior this past season, Brinson was an All-Dade first team selection that recorded 43 catches 834 yards and 8 TD receptions for a Bulls team that won another state title in 2020. He hasn’t been a big camp guy over the years, but my first experience watching him came at Paradise Camp 2018 as a rising sophomore, where Brinson put his name on the map as a player to watch in South Florida with some jaw-dropping plays. Later that year, he broke out at Miami Northwestern and has only grown his game since.

On film, Brinson is truly a threat to score from anywhere on the field and that is a quality that shows up immediately when looking at his game. Run-after-catch ability is top-notch and he features no wasted motion in his movements. Electric after the catch, sees cutback lanes before they develop, and just has instincts for what to do with the ball in his hands, allowing him to impress in the screen game, especially. Demonstrates some qualities of an advanced route runner and has a deadly double move in his repertoire; will have to continue to make improvements route running overall, though. Love the way he is able to subtly create space and windows for his QB to find. Has the capability to race past cornerbacks and separate deep to really stress a defense over the top, requiring his opposition to always account for him. Sports great body control and high pointing ability in adjusting his trajectory in the air to come down with jump balls. Would like to see him put on more size and strength to beat more physical corners, but that is true for most receivers at his age, and he still of time to do just that before he comes to UM.


The Class

Brinson is the 16th commit overall in the 2021 class and the second WR, joining Plantation (FL) 4-star Jacolby George. After taking 4 receivers last class, UM will likely take 3 WR’s in 2021 as the new offensive coaches try to mold the roster in their image. As is tradition in South Florida, the Hurricanes will never be lacking for options at WR, and that has proven to be the case this cycle as well.

Monarch (FL) 3-star WR Jaden Alexis continues to remain top target at the position. UM would like nothing more than to close out the class with Alexis; despite Alexis talking extremely highly of UM in terms of the new offense and as a school he grew up loving, some see Texas as the program out in front for him right now. If Miami can hold on and keep in the game with Alexis through the season and get an official visit out of him, a strong offensive effort in 2020 could convince him to stay home.

If Miami misses on Alexis or decides they would like a 4th receiver, they are still involved with a few other talented WR’s including Comeaux (LA) 4-star WR Malik Nabers and Miami Palmetto (FL) 3-star Brashard Smith. The Canes are seen by some to be leading for Nabers, but UM will have to hold on for a few months as Mississippi State and others push as Nabers told CIS that he isn't planning to make a decision until during his senior season. Sources close to Smith told CIS that he has quickly warmed up to the idea of staying home since his decommitment from UF last month, so there is plenty of positive traction on that front. Miami also sees Miami Central (FL) 4-star ATH Yulkeith Brown as a player that can line up at both receiver and running back, and he has long-favored LSU and Miami as his unofficial top 2. It wouldn’t surprise me for UM to make room for him in the class even with three other “true” receivers.

I would still keep an eye Palmetto Ridge (FL) 3-star Kamonte Grimes, as he remains an intriguing option that WR coach Rob Likens is personally very high on, but UM would have to strike out on a few of the above players for him to be a realistic take at this point.


The Team

Adding quality receivers to the roster takes on that much more of an importance with Lashlee’s spread offense now in town, as pass catchers are expected to have a bigger role in his scheme than in years past at Miami. After taking 4 receivers in 2020, Lashlee and Likens will look to continue to reshape the roster with this position group in the coming years.

With the type of talent Miami is going to have at WR, Brinson will have to be well-prepared both mentally and physically if he wants to crack the rotation as a freshman, as the competition will be fierce for reps. Still, even though the overall upside is there at WR, UM doesn’t really have a proven group of returnees at the position going into 2020, so reps are going to be up for grabs and it could be anyone that impresses the new offensive coaches and develops into UM’s go-to receiver this year. By the time Brinson hits campus in 2021, the landscape will be a little more clear and his path to playing time will be largely determined by how quickly he grasps the offense and develops his body for the college game. Ultimately, Brinson is an exciting prospect that is an elite talent with All-ACC and NFL potential if he can hit somewhere close to his ceiling.

 

Comments (52)

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If somehow they can get Alexis, Smith, and Yulkeith to want in, take all ******* 5 of these WR/Slot kids and let’s ride. Find room elsewhere. The 2 we have committed plus the 3 who seem to be at the top of the board are all MUST takes if you can get them.
 
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Love these pieces @Stefan Adams! Big fan of your work and appreciate your insight :D
The only thing I would maybe add is each player's latest measurables, official times, etc.
You guys probably have better access to the latest info, and I feel like it would only emphasize a lot of the athletic traits you mention imo
Anyways, thanks for all that you do brotha!
 
"Miami also sees Miami Central (FL) 4-star ATH Yulkeith Brown as a player that can line up at both receiver and running back, and he has long-favored LSU and Miami as his unofficial top 2. It wouldn’t surprise me for UM to make room for him in the class even with three other “true” receivers."

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you think brown is long term a receiver or a TB?

i would just not want him to be another choc gray, where you have a guy that's just a really good athlete and a natural football player, but he's wasted because you can't settle on a position for him.

personally, i'd leave the kid in the slot and keep him there, but that's just me.
 
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Yes, if we somehow picked up commitments from all 5 WR’s that’s great. The only downside is where else do we trim?
 
If Miami somehow gets a class with Thad Franklin, Brashard Smith, Jaden Alexis, Romello Brinson, Jacolby George, Yulkeith Brown with the two tight ends.

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In order to get all these guys to stick, will require a good 10 + win season for Diaz. Another season like last year, all bets are off.
 
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If Miami somehow gets a class with Thad Franklin, Brashard Smith, Jaden Alexis, Romello Brinson, Jacolby George, Yulkeith Brown with the two tight ends.

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That may be tough. I think Malik Curtis is a slot as well. If Lashlee and Likens say they want him on O. Which I hope they do. I think Manny should let them make that call.
 
"Miami also sees Miami Central (FL) 4-star ATH Yulkeith Brown as a player that can line up at both receiver and running back, and he has long-favored LSU and Miami as his unofficial top 2. It wouldn’t surprise me for UM to make room for him in the class even with three other “true” receivers."

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I always loved fighting with Bison.. dude was nasty on the low. Dhaliasm couldn't stand and same with Vega.. lol take me back to the the late 80s.. 88 through 91.. couldn't put the game down.. **** L. throwback Tuesday!

Back to my man YUL though.. like I said bring him to the Canes.. Likens should be emailing and texting Alexis, Smith and Yul everyday and twice on Sunday's.. stop by with some baked pie or something once a week.
 
I always loved fighting with Bison.. dude was nasty on the low. Dhaliasm couldn't stand and same with Vega.. lol take me back to the the late 80s.. 88 through 91.. couldn't put the game down.. **** L. throwback Tuesday!

Back to my man YUL though.. like I said bring him to the Canes.. Likens should be emailing and texting Alexis, Smith and Yul everyday and twice on Sunday's.. stop by with some baked pie or something once a week.

Yup. That real good, $EC-style pie...

The Hillary Era |
 
If Miami somehow gets a class with Thad Franklin, Brashard Smith, Jaden Alexis, Romello Brinson, Jacolby George, Yulkeith Brown with the two tight ends.

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We don’t have enough room to take 5 WR’s dude. Don’t even think we enough room for 4. Our WR class will be- George, Brinson and one of Yulkeith Brown and Brashard Smith. We all want Alexis I just don’t think he’s realistic as of right now. If either Wiggins or Pope declare for the draft after the 2020 season (I’d be stunned), then we take 4 WR’s.
 
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