The Bank (6/26)

The board needs more fresh content, so I’ll be emptying the notebook every week or so with the latest on the team and the class. This was a huge weekend before the dead period, and Miami can expect to land multiple commits.

- The first domino was Jaden Rashada, Top 5 QB out of Pittsburg, CA. He has something in common with Gino Torretta and Ken Dorsey- all three are from Contra Costa County in the Bay Area of California. Hopefully, they will have also have Canes national titles in common soon. Numerous WRs have expressed their excitement about Rashada, including the #3 overall player in 2024, Josiah Trader. He was on campus today and is responding very well to the Canes. Another name who is excited about the news- Miami Immortals teammate and #2 overall player in 2024, Desmond Ricks.

- Nathanial “Ray Ray” Joseph is the next domino to fall. Expect him to commit to Miami this week. Some inside the building feel that he and Robby Washington are the two top players in South Florida. This team lacks players who can take a kick or a short pass to the house. It’s been a problem with the program for years despite a tradition of dynamic players. Joseph and Washington will change that.

- The next name to watch is Collins Acheampong, a 6’7, 254 pound basketball player-turned-DE from Anaheim. He is announcing on July 1st. The Crystal Balls read Michigan, but if I had to pick the next commit (besides RayRay) this would be it. A lot of Rousseau comparisons coming out of the weekend.

- Three names at the tip-top of the overall board are OTs Samson Okunlola, Francis Mauioga and Monroe Freeling. A source said “these are the types of guys we haven’t been getting” and Miami is in serious play for all three. They will be battles, though. My personal guess (not a report) is that we land one of the three.

- Malik Bryant is quiet and hard to read. We will know more as time goes on there. With Joneel Aguero, my guess is Ohio State. Jaxon Howard could pick Miami but I’m leaning LSU here.

- I expect TE Riley Williams to pick the Canes and add to an already-stellar room.

- Miami made up significant ground with Cormani McClain, especially with his mother. DVD is doing great work here. This will be an ongoing battle. The biggest hurdle is his relationship with TRob at Alabama. They are ahead of Florida.

- Johnathan Cline (OL from Cartersville, GA) has the green light, but if he doesn’t pop soon I’d expect other names to emerge quickly. Madden Sanker won’t be a factor going forward. The name to watch is Tommy Kinsler, the massive OL from Ocala. He committed to the Gators without his full family present, and Miami made a great impression on them this weekend. We will push hard for a flip.

- The next two big targets on the board are Jalen Brown and Hykeem Williams. Expect us to crank up the heat on both of them (it was already hot). Mario is a huge fan of both.

- TraVonte Citizen has blown away players and coaches with his size upon arrival. I would put Parrish and Knighton as the top two backs headed into camp, but Citizen has a chance to rise quickly.