Miami 'Right There' For OT Bateman
Gadsden (Ala.) Gadsden City three-star offensive tackle Toryque Bateman says Miami is 'right there' in his recruitment.
Bateman told InsideTheU over the weekend that he's talking frequently with Hurricanes offensive line coach Stacy Searels and considering taking an official visit to Coral Gables.
"Miami has just been letting me know that I'm a top priority," Bateman said.
"Coach Searels has just been letting me know that I'm a top priority. We just have great conversation. At the end of everyone conversation he says, 'Where can I find the best left tackle in the country?' and I say 'Gadsen City.' So I like that. When I talk to [Mark Richt] it's a real good conversation, too. He's just always asking how I'm doing and stuff."
Bateman, who is ranked by 247Sports as the nation's No. 70 offensive tackle, has taken a pair of unofficial visits this season to Louisville. He says that the Cardinals are one of his top schools along with Miami and others.
"Michigan is still involved heavily," Bateman said when asked for a list of contenders.
"So is South Florida and Mississippi State. I mean things can change, but those are the schools recruiting me hard during the season. "
Bateman visited Ann Arbor back in August. At the time a commitment to the Wolverines looked imminent, but Michigan wasn't ready to accept a pledge from the tackle because of academics. Bateman said Sunday that his grades have improved and that he has the necessary test scores to gain admission to a school like Miami.
"Everything is looking good," Bateman said. "It's just about the report card now. As long as I have A's and B's I should be good, and I'm going to have that regardless."
Miami currently holds commitment on the offensive line from Navaughn Donaldson, Zalontae Hillery and Zach Dykstra, but is expected to add at least one more tackle to the class. Fort Lauderdale American Heritage four-star tackle Kai-Leon Herbert and Booker T. Washington four-star offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort are two of the top targets for the Hurricanes, but Bateman could emerge as more and more of a realistic option for UM in January.
