**With Spring practice starting for schools in South Florida today, I thought it would be a good time to kick things back into gear. Here are the latest happenings on the recruiting front for Miami.
**The recent failures at DT have left a portion of fans feeling wary about Miami's chances with Chaminade star Khairi Clark. There was even a thread on here tonight with people concerned about a tweet regarding Clark not mentioning Miami in his "schools of high interest" (http://canesinsight.com/threads/52634-Khairi-Clark-names-quot-schools-of-high-interest-quot), but I've been reassured multiple times by a close source that Miami is in very, very good shape and that nothing has changed recently. I can understand why some are being cautious with him, but Clark is a different case and has a good head on his shoulders.
**A prospect that I see Miami taking a hard look at in the coming weeks is Fort Lauderdale LB Jaboree Williams. I caught up with him three weeks ago (http://canesinsight.com/content/1676-Local-LB-Williams-is-a-unique-prospect ) and he has since been offered by Wake Forest, Marshall, and most recently Pittsburgh. With a rather weak linebacker class in South Florida this year and Miami's depth at the position decreasing with the losses of Gabe Terry and Eddie Johnson, Williams is a prospect that continues to rise. An impressive spring could really put him on the map with larger schools and Miami has a great opportunity to swoop in early on him.
**Although this isn't a surprise to some, the smart money on the next commitment is LB Mike Smith from Northwestern. Smith is a prospect who I've thought very highly of since the first time I saw him play. I went to 4-5 MNW games last season and he made plays in every single one of them. Smith played primarily as a rush-end with his hand in the dirt last season, but is making the transition to linebacker this spring. I've seen him multiple times this offseason and it's obvious that he's been putting in work in the weight room. Look for him to announce his intentions at the end of spring ball.
**The hot topic right now is the running back situation. Sony Michel to Georgia was inevitable for a few weeks now, Dalvin Cook switched from Clemson to UF this last month, and Joseph Yearby will remain committed to Miami as long as James Coley is here. The obvious goal for Miami is to flip either Michel or Cook, and that is definitely possible, but it is nearly impossible to make predictions on that right now. There are factors with Cook that are in Miami's favor, while there are others against Miami. Cook's brother, DeAndre Burnett (basketball signee), will be a positive influence for the 'Canes and I suspect Cook will be around the school a lot once basketball season starts since the two are close. On the other hand, I've continuously been told that Yearby and Cook (current teammates at Central) would preferably not play with each other at the next level. The bottom-line is that signing day is so far away and situations like this change so frequently.
**Here are some updates I received on 2013 signees via text message and what they are focusing on as they plan to begin their Miami careers in a matter of months:
Devante Bond: "I've been working hard. I'm 240 right now and faster and quicker than before. Been doing 2-a-days getting right for this season coming up!! Working hard on the field and weight room!!"
Augustus Edwards: "A lot of lifting and speed training"
Jamal Carter: "I been putting in work at Shaq gym. Squating, benching, pull-ups, curls, and I been running track trying to get faster. Also running the 40 with the parachute. A lot of stuff. Trying to go in there besting."
--Carter also added he has been putting in work with former Southridge teammate and current FIU defensive back Jeremiah McKinnon
I will be getting updates with more signees over the next few weeks.
**The recent failures at DT have left a portion of fans feeling wary about Miami's chances with Chaminade star Khairi Clark. There was even a thread on here tonight with people concerned about a tweet regarding Clark not mentioning Miami in his "schools of high interest" (http://canesinsight.com/threads/52634-Khairi-Clark-names-quot-schools-of-high-interest-quot), but I've been reassured multiple times by a close source that Miami is in very, very good shape and that nothing has changed recently. I can understand why some are being cautious with him, but Clark is a different case and has a good head on his shoulders.
**A prospect that I see Miami taking a hard look at in the coming weeks is Fort Lauderdale LB Jaboree Williams. I caught up with him three weeks ago (http://canesinsight.com/content/1676-Local-LB-Williams-is-a-unique-prospect ) and he has since been offered by Wake Forest, Marshall, and most recently Pittsburgh. With a rather weak linebacker class in South Florida this year and Miami's depth at the position decreasing with the losses of Gabe Terry and Eddie Johnson, Williams is a prospect that continues to rise. An impressive spring could really put him on the map with larger schools and Miami has a great opportunity to swoop in early on him.
**Although this isn't a surprise to some, the smart money on the next commitment is LB Mike Smith from Northwestern. Smith is a prospect who I've thought very highly of since the first time I saw him play. I went to 4-5 MNW games last season and he made plays in every single one of them. Smith played primarily as a rush-end with his hand in the dirt last season, but is making the transition to linebacker this spring. I've seen him multiple times this offseason and it's obvious that he's been putting in work in the weight room. Look for him to announce his intentions at the end of spring ball.
**The hot topic right now is the running back situation. Sony Michel to Georgia was inevitable for a few weeks now, Dalvin Cook switched from Clemson to UF this last month, and Joseph Yearby will remain committed to Miami as long as James Coley is here. The obvious goal for Miami is to flip either Michel or Cook, and that is definitely possible, but it is nearly impossible to make predictions on that right now. There are factors with Cook that are in Miami's favor, while there are others against Miami. Cook's brother, DeAndre Burnett (basketball signee), will be a positive influence for the 'Canes and I suspect Cook will be around the school a lot once basketball season starts since the two are close. On the other hand, I've continuously been told that Yearby and Cook (current teammates at Central) would preferably not play with each other at the next level. The bottom-line is that signing day is so far away and situations like this change so frequently.
**Here are some updates I received on 2013 signees via text message and what they are focusing on as they plan to begin their Miami careers in a matter of months:
Devante Bond: "I've been working hard. I'm 240 right now and faster and quicker than before. Been doing 2-a-days getting right for this season coming up!! Working hard on the field and weight room!!"
Augustus Edwards: "A lot of lifting and speed training"
Jamal Carter: "I been putting in work at Shaq gym. Squating, benching, pull-ups, curls, and I been running track trying to get faster. Also running the 40 with the parachute. A lot of stuff. Trying to go in there besting."
--Carter also added he has been putting in work with former Southridge teammate and current FIU defensive back Jeremiah McKinnon
I will be getting updates with more signees over the next few weeks.
