FOOTBALL TEAM
**The team will scrimmage tomorrow for the second time. “It’s time to cut the cord with some of these guys. It can’t be about screaming from the sideline. They’re going to have crowd noise and music so they’ve gotta learn the signals and be independent thinkers out there,” said Golden.
---More from Golden on tomorrow’s scrimmage: “What we’ll try to do is have orange on one side and white on the other. There’s a sense of comfort if you just go offense and defense because if I’m the second-team guard I’m just looking at Linder and waiting for when coach calls me. I think the biggest thing is that they learn how to go on and off the field with the sub patterns and it makes them think fast.”
**Golden confirmed today that Preston Dewey would be with the team this fall despite his absence from camp thus far.
**According to Golden, freshman RB Augustus Edwards is dealing with an NCAA Clearinghouse issue that should be resolved shortly. Edwards has not participated in the last couple practice, but is expected back in time for the first game.
**Golden was asked if the team would have any days off between now and the first game against Florida Atlantic, he said, “Any days off? You sound like one of the players (laughs).”
**The backup running back competition seems to be narrowed in between Dallas Crawford and Eduardo Clements, which should not be a surprise, but Gus Edwards is also impressing Duke Johnson. “Gus can come in right away and play. He’s learning the playbook fast and he has the will to want to play and want to learn,” said Johnson
**Golden pointed out completion percentage as an area that needs to be improved upon during practice and Stephen Morris chimed in. “We definitely need to improve on completion percentage. I think that the best way to do that is to just take what the defense is giving you and not force anything. All camp we've been stressing accuracy and decision-making from the quarterback’s room and I think Coach Coley is doing an unbelievable job of stressing that every day with us,” said Morris. Allen Hurns added, “We just need to be precise on our routes.”
**From all accounts, Wisconsin OLB/DE transfer David Gilbert has made an early impression and seems like a player who will be able to impact the team this year.
**The depth of the offensive line was viewed as one of the strengths of the team heading into camp, but the injury bug bit the unit as Hunter Knighton (out for season, shoulder) and Danny Isidora (three months, foot) suffered injuries. There still seems to be enough behind the starting five between Malcolm Bunche/Ereck Flowers, Jared Wheeler, Sonny Odogwu, and Hunter Wells, but it’s unfortunate to see these injuries. Isidora is a redshirt freshman, while Knighton is a true freshman who arrived in January.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
**Here are a few tidbits I picked up from last Saturday’s Dolphins HS Media Day at Sun Life Stadium:
---I spoke with Dillard QB Bud Martin and asked him about his teammate Dennis Turner (Miami commit) and Martin couldn’t stop raving about him. “People will definitely find out about him this season. He can do it all. His speed is unreal and he can play receiver, defensive back, whatever. Miami got a really good one,” said Martin.
---I spoke to a Champagnat Catholic coach who told me that Travonte Valentine is in the 320-325 weight range right now, as opposed to the 345 he arrived in Miami at. An in-shape Valentine will be a nightmare for opposing defenses this season.
---A name generating a lot of buzz for Miami Northwestern is 2015 defensive back Khalid McGee. Mike Smith, Ryan Mayes, Shermarke Spence (yes, Sean’s little brother), and head coach Stephen Field have had nothing but great things to say about McGee. I heard that McGee also performed very well at UGA camp over the summer. McGee is on the shorter side at 5’8”, but is a playmaker. I’m excited to see what he does this season considering the high praise he has received.
---Tito Benach spoke with Alin Edouard at the event and Edouard told Tito that he hasn’t been able to get in contact with the Miami coaches at all recently. Edouard told Tito that he planned to meet with the coaches after Sunday’s scrimmage. The Miami QB commit told Tito on Monday that he did not end up meeting with the coaches on Sunday, so that issue is still in the air. There is also talk that Louisville pulled Edouard’s offer so it’s going to be interesting to see how things develop with him and Miami. It is still unlikely he winds in the class.
---A player to watch from Columbus is 2017 DB Trajan Bandy. People might think I’m crazy to mention an incoming high school freshman, but the bloodlines are strong here as Bandy’s cousin is Deon Bush. I’m told that Bandy is in line to start at cornerback for the Explorers, which is an extremely rare feat for a freshman at Columbus. The last few players from Columbus to get significant playing time freshman year? Notre Dame LB Anthony Rabasa, FIU RB Jakhari Gore, and Louisville RB Brandon Radcliff.
**I’ve mentioned this previously, but it will be very interesting to see what the coaches do with the safety position. From this class, Ryan Mayes could slide back into that spot, but I don’t see him as having a safety’s mentality. As I posted last week, Trayone Gray has a long ways to go to be able to qualify plus he prefers playing offense. Miramar’s Andre Godfrey is a name that has generated some buzz recently and I’m told that Miami is still in contact with him. Michael Johnson from Champagnat (Louisville commit) is a prospect who I’m a fan of, but a Champagnat coach told me that Miami told him “he’s not what they’re looking for”.
**Here are my recent interviews with Dalvin Cook and Central HC Roland Smith: http://www.canesinsight.com/content/1977-Miami-Central-HC-Roland-Smith-Q-A
http://www.canesinsight.com/content/1962-Cook-solid-to-UF-but-listening-to-UM
Something I would like to add about Miami’s recruitment of Cook is the connection between ‘Canes running backs coach Hurlie Brown and Roland Smith. Brown and Smith played in the same defensive backfield at Miami and I’m told the two still have a very good relationship to this day. Having Smith on Miami’s side with Cook definitely can’t hurt.
**The news of Ernest Suttles winding up at Memphis was a tricky situation. He did sign with Miami, but it seems like administrative higher-ups did not clear the signing. The coaches wanted him, but administration didn’t want the baggage stemming from his situation at Nebraska.
**I hate to beat a dead horse on the subject, but here’s the bottom-line about Quincy Wilson, Ermon Lane, and Chris Lammons committing to UF. Quincy Wilson did not have a Miami offer (a subject that has been discussed countless times) so that wasn’t a “loss” in the eyes of the staff. Ermon Lane was a player that Miami wanted, but for whatever reason their opinion of him wasn’t as high as their opinion of others such as Johnnie Dixon and Darrell Langham. Lammons was a prospect who Miami got on earlier than basically any of the big programs, but it became increasingly evident as the months went on that it was either going to be Nigel Bethel II or Lammons in the class, so things cooled down with him after Bethel committed.
BASKETBALL
**A wild card for the team this season is PF Raphael Akpejiori. Akpejiori is expected to be in the big man rotation between Tonye Jekiri, James Kelly, Erik Swoope, and Donnovan Kirk. Akpejiori is not an offensive threat, but he could be a valuable asset on the defensive end with his length and size. Coach Larranaga got a lot out of Julian Gamble in his sixth year when many thought Gamble would be a liability for the team. If Akpejiori could make a similar jump, it would be huge for depth. The Lagos, Nigeria native has switched to the #4 after wearing #10 his first three seasons.
**Redshirt senior guard/forward Garrius Adams has been generating a lot of buzz from the end of the season to now. Adams redshirted last season, but has reportedly taken huge strides on the offensive side of the floor during this period. The 6-6 wing player from North Carolina showed the ability to knock down the 3-point shot during his first three seasons and he will bring a veteran presence that this younger team will need. The Adams-Rion Brown combination should also be very effective on the defensive side of the floor.
**The team will scrimmage tomorrow for the second time. “It’s time to cut the cord with some of these guys. It can’t be about screaming from the sideline. They’re going to have crowd noise and music so they’ve gotta learn the signals and be independent thinkers out there,” said Golden.
---More from Golden on tomorrow’s scrimmage: “What we’ll try to do is have orange on one side and white on the other. There’s a sense of comfort if you just go offense and defense because if I’m the second-team guard I’m just looking at Linder and waiting for when coach calls me. I think the biggest thing is that they learn how to go on and off the field with the sub patterns and it makes them think fast.”
**Golden confirmed today that Preston Dewey would be with the team this fall despite his absence from camp thus far.
**According to Golden, freshman RB Augustus Edwards is dealing with an NCAA Clearinghouse issue that should be resolved shortly. Edwards has not participated in the last couple practice, but is expected back in time for the first game.
**Golden was asked if the team would have any days off between now and the first game against Florida Atlantic, he said, “Any days off? You sound like one of the players (laughs).”
**The backup running back competition seems to be narrowed in between Dallas Crawford and Eduardo Clements, which should not be a surprise, but Gus Edwards is also impressing Duke Johnson. “Gus can come in right away and play. He’s learning the playbook fast and he has the will to want to play and want to learn,” said Johnson
**Golden pointed out completion percentage as an area that needs to be improved upon during practice and Stephen Morris chimed in. “We definitely need to improve on completion percentage. I think that the best way to do that is to just take what the defense is giving you and not force anything. All camp we've been stressing accuracy and decision-making from the quarterback’s room and I think Coach Coley is doing an unbelievable job of stressing that every day with us,” said Morris. Allen Hurns added, “We just need to be precise on our routes.”
**From all accounts, Wisconsin OLB/DE transfer David Gilbert has made an early impression and seems like a player who will be able to impact the team this year.
**The depth of the offensive line was viewed as one of the strengths of the team heading into camp, but the injury bug bit the unit as Hunter Knighton (out for season, shoulder) and Danny Isidora (three months, foot) suffered injuries. There still seems to be enough behind the starting five between Malcolm Bunche/Ereck Flowers, Jared Wheeler, Sonny Odogwu, and Hunter Wells, but it’s unfortunate to see these injuries. Isidora is a redshirt freshman, while Knighton is a true freshman who arrived in January.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
**Here are a few tidbits I picked up from last Saturday’s Dolphins HS Media Day at Sun Life Stadium:
---I spoke with Dillard QB Bud Martin and asked him about his teammate Dennis Turner (Miami commit) and Martin couldn’t stop raving about him. “People will definitely find out about him this season. He can do it all. His speed is unreal and he can play receiver, defensive back, whatever. Miami got a really good one,” said Martin.
---I spoke to a Champagnat Catholic coach who told me that Travonte Valentine is in the 320-325 weight range right now, as opposed to the 345 he arrived in Miami at. An in-shape Valentine will be a nightmare for opposing defenses this season.
---A name generating a lot of buzz for Miami Northwestern is 2015 defensive back Khalid McGee. Mike Smith, Ryan Mayes, Shermarke Spence (yes, Sean’s little brother), and head coach Stephen Field have had nothing but great things to say about McGee. I heard that McGee also performed very well at UGA camp over the summer. McGee is on the shorter side at 5’8”, but is a playmaker. I’m excited to see what he does this season considering the high praise he has received.
---Tito Benach spoke with Alin Edouard at the event and Edouard told Tito that he hasn’t been able to get in contact with the Miami coaches at all recently. Edouard told Tito that he planned to meet with the coaches after Sunday’s scrimmage. The Miami QB commit told Tito on Monday that he did not end up meeting with the coaches on Sunday, so that issue is still in the air. There is also talk that Louisville pulled Edouard’s offer so it’s going to be interesting to see how things develop with him and Miami. It is still unlikely he winds in the class.
---A player to watch from Columbus is 2017 DB Trajan Bandy. People might think I’m crazy to mention an incoming high school freshman, but the bloodlines are strong here as Bandy’s cousin is Deon Bush. I’m told that Bandy is in line to start at cornerback for the Explorers, which is an extremely rare feat for a freshman at Columbus. The last few players from Columbus to get significant playing time freshman year? Notre Dame LB Anthony Rabasa, FIU RB Jakhari Gore, and Louisville RB Brandon Radcliff.
**I’ve mentioned this previously, but it will be very interesting to see what the coaches do with the safety position. From this class, Ryan Mayes could slide back into that spot, but I don’t see him as having a safety’s mentality. As I posted last week, Trayone Gray has a long ways to go to be able to qualify plus he prefers playing offense. Miramar’s Andre Godfrey is a name that has generated some buzz recently and I’m told that Miami is still in contact with him. Michael Johnson from Champagnat (Louisville commit) is a prospect who I’m a fan of, but a Champagnat coach told me that Miami told him “he’s not what they’re looking for”.
**Here are my recent interviews with Dalvin Cook and Central HC Roland Smith: http://www.canesinsight.com/content/1977-Miami-Central-HC-Roland-Smith-Q-A
http://www.canesinsight.com/content/1962-Cook-solid-to-UF-but-listening-to-UM
Something I would like to add about Miami’s recruitment of Cook is the connection between ‘Canes running backs coach Hurlie Brown and Roland Smith. Brown and Smith played in the same defensive backfield at Miami and I’m told the two still have a very good relationship to this day. Having Smith on Miami’s side with Cook definitely can’t hurt.
**The news of Ernest Suttles winding up at Memphis was a tricky situation. He did sign with Miami, but it seems like administrative higher-ups did not clear the signing. The coaches wanted him, but administration didn’t want the baggage stemming from his situation at Nebraska.
**I hate to beat a dead horse on the subject, but here’s the bottom-line about Quincy Wilson, Ermon Lane, and Chris Lammons committing to UF. Quincy Wilson did not have a Miami offer (a subject that has been discussed countless times) so that wasn’t a “loss” in the eyes of the staff. Ermon Lane was a player that Miami wanted, but for whatever reason their opinion of him wasn’t as high as their opinion of others such as Johnnie Dixon and Darrell Langham. Lammons was a prospect who Miami got on earlier than basically any of the big programs, but it became increasingly evident as the months went on that it was either going to be Nigel Bethel II or Lammons in the class, so things cooled down with him after Bethel committed.
BASKETBALL
**A wild card for the team this season is PF Raphael Akpejiori. Akpejiori is expected to be in the big man rotation between Tonye Jekiri, James Kelly, Erik Swoope, and Donnovan Kirk. Akpejiori is not an offensive threat, but he could be a valuable asset on the defensive end with his length and size. Coach Larranaga got a lot out of Julian Gamble in his sixth year when many thought Gamble would be a liability for the team. If Akpejiori could make a similar jump, it would be huge for depth. The Lagos, Nigeria native has switched to the #4 after wearing #10 his first three seasons.
**Redshirt senior guard/forward Garrius Adams has been generating a lot of buzz from the end of the season to now. Adams redshirted last season, but has reportedly taken huge strides on the offensive side of the floor during this period. The 6-6 wing player from North Carolina showed the ability to knock down the 3-point shot during his first three seasons and he will bring a veteran presence that this younger team will need. The Adams-Rion Brown combination should also be very effective on the defensive side of the floor.
