The Miami Hurricanes already have one Southridge safety in their 2017 recruiting class in Billy Gibson – could they be adding another?
CanesInSight caught up with Antwan Collier – a recent Illinois decommitment who the Hurricanes have had on their radar for a while.
Although Collier does not yet have a Miami offer, Canes safeties coach Ephraim Banda and cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph have maintained steady contact with him – the 6’3” defensive even noted that Illinois and Miami are the two schools who he speaks with the most.
Collier says that Miami coaches are recruiting him as a safety. He plays mostly cornerback (and quarterback) in high school, but Collier told me he’s very open to playing safety because he can “come down and hit somebody”.
With Southridge in the midst of a playoff run that most expect to go a long distance, ideally Collier’s focus would be completely on the field, but he is working towards enrolling in January so he must have his decision soon. He is finishing up a virtual school English course online, which he said would be finished the first week of December.
“I’m still focused on recruiting,” Collier said. “Coach Banda, Coach Rumph, and Coach Diaz have been recruiting me. They like my film.”
The Hurricanes have two safeties committed right now in Amari Carter and Collier’s teammate Gibson, but Collier cold potentially give them more of a free safety prospect. The question is – will the Canes offer? Not even Collier knows.
“They’re trying to see where everyone lands and who is going to commit to them,” he said.
What Collier does seem certain of though, is where his heart would be if he lands an offer in the eleventh hour. I asked him if Miami would be his leader if they offered, and without hesitation his response was, “yes”.
“I’ve been liking UM (for a while). I thought they were going to offer me when Paul Williams was there. But I’ve been wanting to go to UM,” he added.
Last week in his team’s playoff game, Collier threw up the “U” after an interception. Another sign that he appears ready to jump at a Miami offer. We should know more on this in the coming weeks.
