This Sunday, invited prospects will be attending Rising Senior Day at Miami, a tradition started last year by Al Golden and staff. At last year's event, Earl Moore committed and it helped spark Tyriq McCord's legitimate interest. It is a great opportunity for prospects to learn more about the school, program, and team. They will be able to watch a scrimmage as well.
Here is a list of prospects expected to attend:
Commits
DT Keith Bryant (Atlantic Delray): Miami's first commit for the 2013 class, Bryant has been solid throughout the process, but has continued to take visits. There has been talk lately that his mom wants him to get away from home, but if she attends with him like she is expected to, then that could completely seal the deal. I fully expect him to wind up here either way, but getting mom on board is always a positive. Bryant is a frequent visitor. He was there last Sunday to watch practice.
DB Artie Burns (Miami Northwestern): A recent Canes commit, he has been to campus multiple times over the last few months. This visit doesn't have any major implications.
DB Jamal Carter (Miami Southridge): Another recent commitment, he is complete solid. It is good to see a lot of these commitments planning to go though, because they can work on the uncommitted prospects.
RB Alex Collins (South Plantation): Collins is easily the most important commit that is expected to attend. He has been flirting with FSU recently, but he hasn't been back to campus since committing early on so this should be a great refresher for him. This could go a long ways to locking him up. I think he sticks with Miami in the end.
TE Jeremy Kerr (St. Petersburg High): Kerr is solid, no concerns here.
ATH Ray Lewis III (Lake Mary Prep): There was some discussion that Lewis III was "keeping his options open", but he clarified those comments and is solid. This will be a good chance for him to see the campus again because he hasn't been back since Spring Break.\
TE Travis Johnson (Tampa Jesuit): The versatile pass-catcher committed to Miami back in June a few days after attending a camp. He is solid and has been recruiting uncommitted prospects.
Undecided
DL Maquedius Bain (University School): The former FSU commit has been a Miami lean for some time now. There has been some talk that he could pull the trigger Sunday, but I would be surprised if he did. He is keeping it close to the vest as far as when he wants to commit. Maybe the visit high gets to him and he does it, it's a possibility. Either way, I expect him to wind up a Cane. The question is when it will happen.
WR Jordan Cunningham (University School): There has been some confusion surrounding Cunningham. He has Miami in the lead, but people I've talked to believe that he would have committed by now if the offer was "committable". I'm not sure the staff is completely sold on him. There will only be one WR in this class (maybe 0) in addition to Angelo Jean-Louis, who comes in January from prep school. The staff might have their eyes set on Coley or bust.
LB Jermaine Grace (Miramar): Grace is another prospect who Miami is the heavy favorite for. There was some speculation that the coaches are concerned with his size, which they still want to see an improvement on, but with the way the LB recruiting is shaping up right now, he is a must take in my opinion. Matthew Thomas is very iffy right now and there don't seem to be many other targets at LB besides Grace and Quentin James from Georgia. Grace will wait till signing day to publicly announce his decision.
DE Tim Williams (Baton Rouge University Lab): Miami and Florida State have been at the top of Williams' list for some time now. The fact that he is making the trip down to Coral Gables from Baton Rouge shows how sincere his interest in Miami is. The roadblock here will be the fact that Williams has a small child back at home. Canes have a great shot here, LSU is a major threat if they push hard, though. It would be a surprise to see him commit this weekend, but not completely out of the question.
S/LB Mike Parker (Kettle Run): This hybrid OOS prospect has big-time Miami interest. Adding another safety in this class would be huge because it could allow Artie Burns to play corner. Parker loves Miami. Maryland and West Virginia are big threats and he would be a perfect fit for the Mountaineers' defensive scheme. The visit should help Miami's cause even more, but I'm not sure they would take a commitment from him. His mom loves the school as well.
OL Denver Kirkland (Booker T): Kirkland has never taken a tour of Miami's campus so this will be a huge step for the Canes. UM leads with FSU making a huge push over the summer. He has developed a nice relationship with Noles OL Coach Rick Trickett.
DL Jaynard Bostwick (Port St. Lucie West Centennial): There is a very good chance that Bostwick winds up in this class. He has favored the Canes for a while and Thurston Armbrister is his cousin. He plans to go through the process before committing.
LB Matthew Thomas (Booker T): Thomas' teammate, Nigel Patten, told me today that Thomas told him he wouldn't be going to Rising Senior Day, but I would still leave it open as a possibility. I find it interesting that he would pass up this opportunity to learn more about the school, program, and team. We'll see on Sunday if he takes up the chance. FSU leads with ground to make up for Miami, but Canes fans shouldn't be in panic mode just yet.
There may be surprise visitors as well. Last year, Drew Harris from Pennsylvania showed up unexpectedly.
Here is a list of prospects expected to attend:
Commits
DT Keith Bryant (Atlantic Delray): Miami's first commit for the 2013 class, Bryant has been solid throughout the process, but has continued to take visits. There has been talk lately that his mom wants him to get away from home, but if she attends with him like she is expected to, then that could completely seal the deal. I fully expect him to wind up here either way, but getting mom on board is always a positive. Bryant is a frequent visitor. He was there last Sunday to watch practice.
DB Artie Burns (Miami Northwestern): A recent Canes commit, he has been to campus multiple times over the last few months. This visit doesn't have any major implications.
DB Jamal Carter (Miami Southridge): Another recent commitment, he is complete solid. It is good to see a lot of these commitments planning to go though, because they can work on the uncommitted prospects.
RB Alex Collins (South Plantation): Collins is easily the most important commit that is expected to attend. He has been flirting with FSU recently, but he hasn't been back to campus since committing early on so this should be a great refresher for him. This could go a long ways to locking him up. I think he sticks with Miami in the end.
TE Jeremy Kerr (St. Petersburg High): Kerr is solid, no concerns here.
ATH Ray Lewis III (Lake Mary Prep): There was some discussion that Lewis III was "keeping his options open", but he clarified those comments and is solid. This will be a good chance for him to see the campus again because he hasn't been back since Spring Break.\
TE Travis Johnson (Tampa Jesuit): The versatile pass-catcher committed to Miami back in June a few days after attending a camp. He is solid and has been recruiting uncommitted prospects.
Undecided
DL Maquedius Bain (University School): The former FSU commit has been a Miami lean for some time now. There has been some talk that he could pull the trigger Sunday, but I would be surprised if he did. He is keeping it close to the vest as far as when he wants to commit. Maybe the visit high gets to him and he does it, it's a possibility. Either way, I expect him to wind up a Cane. The question is when it will happen.
WR Jordan Cunningham (University School): There has been some confusion surrounding Cunningham. He has Miami in the lead, but people I've talked to believe that he would have committed by now if the offer was "committable". I'm not sure the staff is completely sold on him. There will only be one WR in this class (maybe 0) in addition to Angelo Jean-Louis, who comes in January from prep school. The staff might have their eyes set on Coley or bust.
LB Jermaine Grace (Miramar): Grace is another prospect who Miami is the heavy favorite for. There was some speculation that the coaches are concerned with his size, which they still want to see an improvement on, but with the way the LB recruiting is shaping up right now, he is a must take in my opinion. Matthew Thomas is very iffy right now and there don't seem to be many other targets at LB besides Grace and Quentin James from Georgia. Grace will wait till signing day to publicly announce his decision.
DE Tim Williams (Baton Rouge University Lab): Miami and Florida State have been at the top of Williams' list for some time now. The fact that he is making the trip down to Coral Gables from Baton Rouge shows how sincere his interest in Miami is. The roadblock here will be the fact that Williams has a small child back at home. Canes have a great shot here, LSU is a major threat if they push hard, though. It would be a surprise to see him commit this weekend, but not completely out of the question.
S/LB Mike Parker (Kettle Run): This hybrid OOS prospect has big-time Miami interest. Adding another safety in this class would be huge because it could allow Artie Burns to play corner. Parker loves Miami. Maryland and West Virginia are big threats and he would be a perfect fit for the Mountaineers' defensive scheme. The visit should help Miami's cause even more, but I'm not sure they would take a commitment from him. His mom loves the school as well.
OL Denver Kirkland (Booker T): Kirkland has never taken a tour of Miami's campus so this will be a huge step for the Canes. UM leads with FSU making a huge push over the summer. He has developed a nice relationship with Noles OL Coach Rick Trickett.
DL Jaynard Bostwick (Port St. Lucie West Centennial): There is a very good chance that Bostwick winds up in this class. He has favored the Canes for a while and Thurston Armbrister is his cousin. He plans to go through the process before committing.
LB Matthew Thomas (Booker T): Thomas' teammate, Nigel Patten, told me today that Thomas told him he wouldn't be going to Rising Senior Day, but I would still leave it open as a possibility. I find it interesting that he would pass up this opportunity to learn more about the school, program, and team. We'll see on Sunday if he takes up the chance. FSU leads with ground to make up for Miami, but Canes fans shouldn't be in panic mode just yet.
There may be surprise visitors as well. Last year, Drew Harris from Pennsylvania showed up unexpectedly.
