Seniors
Vaughn Telemaque
Andrew Swasey
Juniors
Alonzo Highsmith, Jr.
Kacy Rodgers
Sophomores
None
Freshmen
Deon Bush
Rayshawn Jenkins
Commits
Jamal Carter
Artie Burns
Safety is one of the biggest needs on the recruiting front, even with the recent commitments of Artie Burns and Jamal Carter. Carter is a safety all the way, but Burns may be better off at corner.
From last year’s class, Deon Bush is going to be playing safety for at least this season, which is not his most natural position. He can play it, but he’s another guy who may be better off at corner. Rayshawn Jenkins has generated a lot of buzz as well during the summer 7-on-7 sessions. His heart isn’t on the defensive side of the ball, but he will most likely have to play there because of a lack of depth past this year.
Look for the staff to target in on at least one, maybe two more safeties for this class. If they land one more, they would be content with three for the class, but landing two more would give them more options with both Burns and Bush, who could excel as bigger corners. This isn’t to say they can’t be great safeties, I just see them as potentially special players at corner.
There are honestly no “true” safeties on the team past this season, so we will see how good of a talent developer Paul Williams is. Bush, Jenkins, Carter, and Burns all have elite talent, it will just be up to them to put it all together.
Possible Targets
Michael Parker- The 6’3 safety from Virginia recently popped up on the radar and has serious interest in Miami. He’s a tweener, but has deceptive explosiveness from the position.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VvCh9a4t8s
Ahmad Thomas- The Oklahoma commit from Central would definitely listen to Miami if the coaches called. He loved the ‘Canes early on, but was never offered. He makes a lot of tackles from the position.
Leroy Clark- An under-the-radar prospect from Archbishop Carroll, Clark had a very productive junior season with 13 interceptions. He’s not the biggest or fastest, but has a great feel for the game. Holds an Oklahoma offer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8e0OpHAwWs
Simeon Thomas- The rangy athlete from Carol City doesn’t jump out in his highlights, but has the potential to blow up with a big senior season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LupSUzQ9CBA
Bottom Line
This class absolutely needs one more safety. The coaches will determine if one more is all they need. A lot also depends on if they find a couple safeties they like that have mutual interest. On a related note, some times people forget that the senior prospects still have one more season to prove themselves. While almost all offers are handed out before a prospect’s senior season even begins nowadays, it isn’t out of the question for a player to have a breakout season and catch the staff’s attention. Ray Lewis III is also a commit who still hasn't been pegged as either a RB or DB. He could fill the third safety spot, but I personally like him at running back better.
