The Bank is back open. Here is the latest on Miami's recruiting efforts in the Portal and high school:
- The battle is still raging, but Miami feels good about their standing with transfer DE Tyler Baron.
- Baron would likely complete the Portal class for Miami. The Canes would still like to add another nickel, but nothing is imminent there.
- Even though scholarships are tight, Miami is ecstatic to spend one on DE Elias Rudolph (Cincinnati). He just qualified academically, which was looking shaky for a while. He's also healed from his senior year injury, put on weight and is running the 4X100. Congratulations to the kid, who is shaping up to a major addition to Miami's EDGE room.
- One name to add to the board: DB Tim Merritt (Birmingham, AL). He's a 6'2, 180-pound kid who runs track and also plays WR. He lines up as safety in high school but projects as a CB at the next level. Miami is still battling for his teammate, five-star CB and Ohio State commit Na'eem Offord.
- Another Alabama name to store away- WR Daylin Upshaw (Phenix City, AL). Upshaw is taking an official visit to Miami on June 7th.
- Some names picking up steam for Miami: LB Jadon Perlotte (Georgia commit), the Enterprise HS trio (DE Zion Grady, LB Eric Winters, DB Andrew Purcell) and DE Hayden Lowe (Los Angeles).
- Spring evaluations are in full swing, and expect to see names rising and falling on the board. OT Lamar Williams (Havana, FL) decommitted. Some names to watch on the OL board: Jaden Wilkerson (Orlando) Takalyn Meux (Neptune Beach), Isaac "Spike" Sowells (Louisville) and Max Buchanon (Seminole). Seuseu Alofaituli (Las Vegas) was Crystal Balled to Miami early in the process, lost some steam but has since picked up momentum. He visited for Miami's spring game and the Canes went out to Vegas to watch him practice. He is one of the most impressive players Miami has seen in person so far. Taren Hedrick (Community School of Naples) has picked up steam during the spring eval period.
- Miami is being patient at running back. Two names they will evaluate closely this spring: Shekai Mills-Knight (Chattanooga, TN via Quebec) and Jasper Parker (New Orleans). They would love to pair a bigger back with speedy commit Girard Pringle, who continues to impress.
- Miami will continue to evaluate athletic local LB Ty Jackson (Loxahatchee).
- Some names that keep rising internally: QB commit Luke Nickel, TE Luka Gilbert (almost 6'8, 250 and put on an incredible TE workout), EDGE Herbert Scroggins, CB Jaboree Antoine (LSU commit), CB Aidan Anding (Ruston, LA) and DL Derry Norris (Spruce Creek, FL).
- DE Javeon Campbell (Frankfort, KY) is ranked as a mid-four star, but he is an elite, five-star type talent in my book. He's 6'5, 265-pounds, is the all-time leading scorer for his high school hoops team and only started playing football last year (14.5 sacks). He just canceled his Ohio State visit and is now visiting Miami on May 30th weekend. This is a name to know for the Canes. He's also visiting Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and hometown Kentucky.
- With the Portal closed and some time to reflect, here are some names identified among the most improved players in spring: EDGE Malik Bryant, WR Isaiah Horton and LB Wesley Bissainthe (potential star breakout). A few young players identified as "Creatures" (i.e. impact physical talents) are LB Bobby Pruitt, ATH Elijah Lofton, CB Damari Brown (his last week of practice was outstanding) and DE Marquise Lightfoot.
