We may take a while, but we are always on time. Loaded Bank this week since I will be in vacation in Washington state. I'll still be posting practice updates as I watch the whales, and I’ll be giving direct practice reports once I’m back the following week.
- Let’s start with the big stuff. Those who follow the Bank know what happens when I get a cryptic message. Last time, I was told to expect fireworks in the next week. We landed JoJo Trader and Artavius Jones. This time, I was told to “stay ready over the next thirty days.” I sense a lot of quiet confidence in a major move up the recruiting rankings.
- Miami remains firmly in the mix for DE Colin Simmons (Dallas) and DT David Stone (IMG). On Simmons, note that LSU’s defensive line coach just took medical leave.
- I continue to feel extremely good about S Zaquan Patterson (Chaminade).
- Miami is battling Georgia and Tennessee for LB Chris Cole (Salem, VA), but the rumored Georgia commitment never happened. They may be playing some games there. Miami continues to feel they are right in it.
- A lot of people thought DE Elias Rudolph (Cincinnati) might flip on his secret visit on the BBQ. His visit was set up for a long time and I alluded to it on the Bank. That didn’t happen, and he has returned to Ohio at a school with some Michigan ties. We are still working and there is mutual interest.
- Miami continues to chip away at DT Kamarion Franklin (Memphis). He brought his grandmother on his last visit and she loved it. Franklin is dealing with a lot in recruiting and may be having a hard time saying no. Miami remains in the thick of the battle.
- RB Kevin Riley (Tuscaloosa) worked out on his visit and I’m told it was the best camp workout of the Cristobal Era. Alvin Kamara comps. Recruiting is recruiting but his commitment is currently very strong. Encouraging visit.
- As we first reported on June 1, Miami is intrigued by CB Jamil Watkins (Vanguard) and he has an offer.
- OL Eddie Pierre-Louis (Tampa) had a great visit. He enjoys the process, so I don’t sense anything is imminent there.
- Not a lot going on with CB Jaylen Heyward (Rockledge). This is just my speculation, but he may have been frustrated with all the due diligence. But it was necessary.
- Miami loves their new center commit Nino Francavilla (Canada). More often than you’d think, coaches are afraid to be the first offer for a player. Francavilla drew rave reviews at every camp but didn’t get the immediate offer, even at Miami. But the more our coaches watched film and looked at the measurables, they decided they needed him in this class. And they have enough credibility at the position to make that kind of offer with confidence.
- Turning to this year’s team, the phrase I heard was “night and day.” We’ve all heard that before, and we'll believe it when we see it. It’s also extremely early. But I’m told the size difference is obvious at multiple positions, especially OL and LB.
- Miami feels they landed three first round OLs in last year’s class. Francis Mauigoa is already one of the best players on the team, Samson Okunlola made perhaps the biggest leap of anyone over the summer and Tommy Kinsler looks like a freak show at tackle. Antonio Tripp and Frankie Tinilau are out with injury (back for Tinilau).
- Another name that keeps drawing raves from scouts and coaches is DT Branson Deen (Purdue transfer). His commitment flew under the radar because we were looking for a bigger DT, but this is a draftable player with outstanding leverage, twitch and effort. I was blown away when I watched his Big 10 film.
- The Jadais Richard buzz is real. He is a starter, and the only challenge now is finding out where. He can play corner, nickel or safety. Jaden Davis is another guy who looks like he will start somewhere. This will be an interesting position to watch in terms of who plays where.
- One position that has shown particular improvement- wide receiver. Colby Young and Xavier Restrepo are hard workers and it shows. Jacolby George has had a good offseason and is flashing his starter-quality talent. Guys like Breshard Smith have also flashed. If you are looking for a potential superstar from the group, nobody brings a better combination of athleticism and character than RayRay Joseph.
- Still a lot of mystery surrounding OT Zion Nelson. The same guys who expected him to be good for camp don’t know what is going on with him now.
- People who have been critical of S James Williams in the past are liking his first few practices. He has great energy, looks healthy and is performing well at S and OLB.
- QB Emory Williams drew a lot of buzz for his performance during the media portion of practice, and I am told it has carried on to the closed sessions. A lot of people are interested to see how he performs the rest of camp.
- RBs Mark Fletcher and Ajay Allen have carried over their strong offseasons. Pads will be the true test for that group. DT Josh Horton is another name that consistently draws praise.
- Let’s start with the big stuff. Those who follow the Bank know what happens when I get a cryptic message. Last time, I was told to expect fireworks in the next week. We landed JoJo Trader and Artavius Jones. This time, I was told to “stay ready over the next thirty days.” I sense a lot of quiet confidence in a major move up the recruiting rankings.
- Miami remains firmly in the mix for DE Colin Simmons (Dallas) and DT David Stone (IMG). On Simmons, note that LSU’s defensive line coach just took medical leave.
- I continue to feel extremely good about S Zaquan Patterson (Chaminade).
- Miami is battling Georgia and Tennessee for LB Chris Cole (Salem, VA), but the rumored Georgia commitment never happened. They may be playing some games there. Miami continues to feel they are right in it.
- A lot of people thought DE Elias Rudolph (Cincinnati) might flip on his secret visit on the BBQ. His visit was set up for a long time and I alluded to it on the Bank. That didn’t happen, and he has returned to Ohio at a school with some Michigan ties. We are still working and there is mutual interest.
- Miami continues to chip away at DT Kamarion Franklin (Memphis). He brought his grandmother on his last visit and she loved it. Franklin is dealing with a lot in recruiting and may be having a hard time saying no. Miami remains in the thick of the battle.
- RB Kevin Riley (Tuscaloosa) worked out on his visit and I’m told it was the best camp workout of the Cristobal Era. Alvin Kamara comps. Recruiting is recruiting but his commitment is currently very strong. Encouraging visit.
- As we first reported on June 1, Miami is intrigued by CB Jamil Watkins (Vanguard) and he has an offer.
- OL Eddie Pierre-Louis (Tampa) had a great visit. He enjoys the process, so I don’t sense anything is imminent there.
- Not a lot going on with CB Jaylen Heyward (Rockledge). This is just my speculation, but he may have been frustrated with all the due diligence. But it was necessary.
- Miami loves their new center commit Nino Francavilla (Canada). More often than you’d think, coaches are afraid to be the first offer for a player. Francavilla drew rave reviews at every camp but didn’t get the immediate offer, even at Miami. But the more our coaches watched film and looked at the measurables, they decided they needed him in this class. And they have enough credibility at the position to make that kind of offer with confidence.
- Turning to this year’s team, the phrase I heard was “night and day.” We’ve all heard that before, and we'll believe it when we see it. It’s also extremely early. But I’m told the size difference is obvious at multiple positions, especially OL and LB.
- Miami feels they landed three first round OLs in last year’s class. Francis Mauigoa is already one of the best players on the team, Samson Okunlola made perhaps the biggest leap of anyone over the summer and Tommy Kinsler looks like a freak show at tackle. Antonio Tripp and Frankie Tinilau are out with injury (back for Tinilau).
- Another name that keeps drawing raves from scouts and coaches is DT Branson Deen (Purdue transfer). His commitment flew under the radar because we were looking for a bigger DT, but this is a draftable player with outstanding leverage, twitch and effort. I was blown away when I watched his Big 10 film.
- The Jadais Richard buzz is real. He is a starter, and the only challenge now is finding out where. He can play corner, nickel or safety. Jaden Davis is another guy who looks like he will start somewhere. This will be an interesting position to watch in terms of who plays where.
- One position that has shown particular improvement- wide receiver. Colby Young and Xavier Restrepo are hard workers and it shows. Jacolby George has had a good offseason and is flashing his starter-quality talent. Guys like Breshard Smith have also flashed. If you are looking for a potential superstar from the group, nobody brings a better combination of athleticism and character than RayRay Joseph.
- Still a lot of mystery surrounding OT Zion Nelson. The same guys who expected him to be good for camp don’t know what is going on with him now.
- People who have been critical of S James Williams in the past are liking his first few practices. He has great energy, looks healthy and is performing well at S and OLB.
- QB Emory Williams drew a lot of buzz for his performance during the media portion of practice, and I am told it has carried on to the closed sessions. A lot of people are interested to see how he performs the rest of camp.
- RBs Mark Fletcher and Ajay Allen have carried over their strong offseasons. Pads will be the true test for that group. DT Josh Horton is another name that consistently draws praise.
