I'm back from two weeks in California and wanted to provide the latest after speaking with sources:
- All eyes are on CB DJ Pickett (Zephyrhills) and his announcement tonight. As of yesterday afternoon, there was confidence in Coral Gables around this recruitment and the relationship. Only Pickett knows what he will do, but I don't sense any panic.
- Miami remains in a good spot with CB Jaboree Antoine (New Iberia, LA). I expect Miami to land at least one of Antoine and Pickett, and very possibly both. The Canes continue to hotly pursue CB Ben Hanks (Booker T), who is in my opinion the best pure corner of the three, but that battle will be ongoing.
- After landing a coveted target in WR Daylyn Upshaw (Phenix City, AL), Miami has zeroed in on six WRs. It does not matter where they are committed, Miami will continue to recruit them hard: Jaime Ffrench (Jacksonville), Vernell Brown (Orlando), Jerome Myles (Draper, UT), Tyler Williams (Armwood), Josh Moore (West Broward) and Dallas Wilson (Tampa). I expect Brown to pick Florida before the season, but Miami will be very aggressive there with the Gators projected to have a losing season.
- The name with the most momentum is French. The arrow is pointing up in that relationship. French, a consensus five-star, was extremely impressive in person at the Overtime 7on7 Finals in Tampa. Myles is another uncommitted name with some juice. He went to the same high school as second-round pick (and Cristobal signee) Jackson Powers-Johnson.
- Defensive tackle is similar to wide receiver. Miami will continue to aggressively pursue the guys on its board even if they are committed elsewhere. The names to know there are Myron Charles (Port Charlotte, FL), Elijah Griffin (Savannah), Jarquez Carter (Newberry), Walter Mathis (Savannah) and Derry Norris (Spruce Creek). I expect Mathis to pick LSU and Carter to pick OSU before the season.
- The Canes continue to be in a strong position for DE Iose Epenesa (Evansville, IL/St. Louis metro).
- Sources identified several players on campus standing out in workouts- WR JoJo Trader (blossoming with improved nutrition and weight room), CB Romanas Frederique ("future draft pick physically"), Justin Scott and Artavious Jones (both "freaks" with Scott considered further along). Adarius Hayes is moving much better than he did after he first arrived and shows promise as a punishing, oversized inside backer.
