The latest with some of Miami’s top remaining targets.
WR Marquez Ezzard: Miami is very much in the driver’s seat for the Georgia product and he would be another nice addition to an already-loaded 2018 offensive class and group of receivers.
WR coach Ron Dugans and the offensive staff are big on bringing in guys who have different skill sets and can create mismatches all over the field — Mark Pope, Brian Hightower, Daquris Wiggins, and Ezzard all bring something unique to the table for this offense. Pairing these four along with who is already on the roster is going o be a scary sight for opposing secondaries.
On top of Ezzard’s strong relationship with Dugans, fellow Georgia boys Jarren Williams and Realus George have been working diligently behind-the-scenes to lock him up.
DE Andrew Chatfield: As I posted on the board yesterday, this weekend only helped Miami’s chances with Chatfield and recent early enrollees fully believe he is going to be in this class. Chatfield was conveying to multiple enrollees that on top of the fact that he loves everything about Miami’s program and that it’s home, it also helps UM’s cause that his parents are advocates of him staying down here and playing for the Canes. After his official visit concluded yesterday morning, Chatfield even stayed through the night to spend more time with some of the guys on the team. I’m predicting he will be a Hurricane on signing day, and that’s even with visits still slated to UF and FSU. The Noles are considered more of a threat than the Gators here, but anything other than Miami would be a surprise to me.
DT Dennis Briggs: The Miami staff feels like this weekend was as good as it could have gone with Briggs, but according to sources the main hurdle will be assuring his mother that Miami is the right spot for him. Canes hold a lead with an FSU visit on the horizon.
DT Jamarcus Chatman: I mentioned a few weeks back on the podcast that the coaches were working quietly on a few names at DT, but did not want to necessarily tip off other schools that they were strongly in the picture — Chatman was one of those prospects. He is another Georgia product that I would consider the Canes a heavy favorite for. What looked like an area of concern from the outside just a few weeks ago could turn into a trio of Nesta Silvera, Briggs, and Chatman — no doubt that would be an extremely solid group.
DB Tyson Campbell: The trends here are not in Miami’s favor at all. Georgia has been coming on strong for months, obviously and it’s safe to say they hold the lead for him. I spoke to a source who was with Chatfield (Campbell’s teammate) for almost the entire weekend, and there are no indications at all that the Canes have a good shot. UM is not counting on him being in this class right now. That’s not necessarily the update Canes fans want to hear, but it is reality.
ATH Nigel Bethel: Miami has remained in contact with the Northwestern athlete and believe he has the tools to blossom at the next level, whether that be at corner or receiver. They also believe he will be a dynamic punt and kick returner immediately at the college level. Bethel has been on their radar since his breakout performance at Miami camp back in June. Bethel told me this morning that he will take his official visit to Coral Gables on the 26th.
**As a result of Miami securing a bulk of their 2018 class during the early signing period, it has allowed them to get off to a nice start in the 2019 class. Although tonight is not being called a “junior day”, a number of their top 2019 targets will be in the building tonight for UM’s hoops game against Duke. I will have a thread tonight as confirmed visitors arrive, but a star-studded list is expected. There is talk that a commitment is possible tonight as well.
**Mark Pope’s early enrollment is credit to two things: 1) his work in the classroom to complete his required credits and online courses and 2) Miami’s support staff doing a tremendous job laying out what each recruit needs to do in order to qualify in a timely manner. During Richt’s time at Miami, all of the signees have made it in — even the likes of Dionte Mullins who many thought would have little to no chance to qualify. That is a testament to the work the player personnel staff in conjunction with the academic staff.
WR Marquez Ezzard: Miami is very much in the driver’s seat for the Georgia product and he would be another nice addition to an already-loaded 2018 offensive class and group of receivers.
WR coach Ron Dugans and the offensive staff are big on bringing in guys who have different skill sets and can create mismatches all over the field — Mark Pope, Brian Hightower, Daquris Wiggins, and Ezzard all bring something unique to the table for this offense. Pairing these four along with who is already on the roster is going o be a scary sight for opposing secondaries.
On top of Ezzard’s strong relationship with Dugans, fellow Georgia boys Jarren Williams and Realus George have been working diligently behind-the-scenes to lock him up.
DE Andrew Chatfield: As I posted on the board yesterday, this weekend only helped Miami’s chances with Chatfield and recent early enrollees fully believe he is going to be in this class. Chatfield was conveying to multiple enrollees that on top of the fact that he loves everything about Miami’s program and that it’s home, it also helps UM’s cause that his parents are advocates of him staying down here and playing for the Canes. After his official visit concluded yesterday morning, Chatfield even stayed through the night to spend more time with some of the guys on the team. I’m predicting he will be a Hurricane on signing day, and that’s even with visits still slated to UF and FSU. The Noles are considered more of a threat than the Gators here, but anything other than Miami would be a surprise to me.
DT Dennis Briggs: The Miami staff feels like this weekend was as good as it could have gone with Briggs, but according to sources the main hurdle will be assuring his mother that Miami is the right spot for him. Canes hold a lead with an FSU visit on the horizon.
DT Jamarcus Chatman: I mentioned a few weeks back on the podcast that the coaches were working quietly on a few names at DT, but did not want to necessarily tip off other schools that they were strongly in the picture — Chatman was one of those prospects. He is another Georgia product that I would consider the Canes a heavy favorite for. What looked like an area of concern from the outside just a few weeks ago could turn into a trio of Nesta Silvera, Briggs, and Chatman — no doubt that would be an extremely solid group.
DB Tyson Campbell: The trends here are not in Miami’s favor at all. Georgia has been coming on strong for months, obviously and it’s safe to say they hold the lead for him. I spoke to a source who was with Chatfield (Campbell’s teammate) for almost the entire weekend, and there are no indications at all that the Canes have a good shot. UM is not counting on him being in this class right now. That’s not necessarily the update Canes fans want to hear, but it is reality.
ATH Nigel Bethel: Miami has remained in contact with the Northwestern athlete and believe he has the tools to blossom at the next level, whether that be at corner or receiver. They also believe he will be a dynamic punt and kick returner immediately at the college level. Bethel has been on their radar since his breakout performance at Miami camp back in June. Bethel told me this morning that he will take his official visit to Coral Gables on the 26th.
**As a result of Miami securing a bulk of their 2018 class during the early signing period, it has allowed them to get off to a nice start in the 2019 class. Although tonight is not being called a “junior day”, a number of their top 2019 targets will be in the building tonight for UM’s hoops game against Duke. I will have a thread tonight as confirmed visitors arrive, but a star-studded list is expected. There is talk that a commitment is possible tonight as well.
**Mark Pope’s early enrollment is credit to two things: 1) his work in the classroom to complete his required credits and online courses and 2) Miami’s support staff doing a tremendous job laying out what each recruit needs to do in order to qualify in a timely manner. During Richt’s time at Miami, all of the signees have made it in — even the likes of Dionte Mullins who many thought would have little to no chance to qualify. That is a testament to the work the player personnel staff in conjunction with the academic staff.
