The Work - Final Stretch

Peter Ariz

Jan 29, 2017 3 min read

Jeff Thomas - Announcing Wednesday 10AM on ESPNU

In what should be good exposure for Mark Richt and the Canes on signing day, Thomas will announce his decision his decision live on ESPNU from his school. Thomas was Miami's to lose heading into the weekend and the fact that he cancelled his Oregon OV is even more of a signal that the Canes are in good shape. The last wide receiver to pick Miami on ESPNU? Stacy Coley.

Mike Harley - Announcing Wednesday 10:15 AM on CBS Sports' National Signing Day Special

Harley to Miami is the worst-kept secret out there at this point, but it's another nationally-televised announced which Richt has to love. The speed that him and Thomas would bring is just what the doctor ordered.

C.J. Henderson - Announcing Noon Wednesday at Columbus - CanesInSight will be live on-site

Everything that I've heard with Henderson points to him signing with Miami on signing day. Late last week, sources said that the Columbus speedster had informed all staffs recruiting him (Miami, UF, Alabama) of his decision. A source close to Henderson told me last that nothing had changed since then and unless something changes, it will be the Hurricanes. This could end up being the biggest snag for Miami down the stretch just based on the battle itself. Not only were the Gators in the lead for a substantial portion of time, but this is a guy who Nick Saban wanted badly at cornerback.

Brian Edwards - Announcing Wednesday at Miramar (Time TBD) - CanesInSight will be live on-site

Edwards went through with his scheduled visit to UF this weekend, but Miami is still in position to land his signature come Wednesday morning. Not only is his family fully on-board with the Hurricanes, but the combined recruiting effort of Mike Rumph and Ephraim Banda won Edwards over last week, according to sources. Florida is not confident on their chances either. Side note: Miami loved Edwards' attitude and demeanor on the official visit last weekend and defensive coaches believe he will see the field early and often next season.

Jhavonte Dean - Announcing Wednesday and Blinn Junior College (Time TBD)

Dean has been a heavy Canes lean since early December and nothing has changed. Anything other than Miami would be a surprise for the south Florida native.

Jordan Pouncey - Announcing Wednesday via commitment video on Twitter (Time TBD)

The latest buzz here has been Texas and I'm not sure this is a decision that Canes coaches will lose much sleep over. It does not appear that he has been a priority for the staff and they are satisfied with a receivers class of Evidence Njoku, Thomas, and Harley.

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Comments (331)

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CaneTheGaytors

Jan 29, 2017

ThomasM said:
Forget what this class doesn't have, I'll tell you what it has loads of... Play making football players. From top to bottom, we are loading up with guys that can make plays. Best class in years, in my opinion.

This^^^^^

We got lots of Miami speed coming in and dudes that are explosive with the ball in their hands.

The OL and DL recruiting for this cycle has also been strong. Ditto for LB's.

If we can land Henderson and Edwards along with Thomas, Dean and Harley, then it's definitely a great close.

Don't get it twisted, Thomas is THE most explosive and dynamic player in this year's class.

P
PharmCane305

Jan 29, 2017

very happy with this close along with Herbert from last week. Mcfarland obviously would have put it over the top but it is what it is.

What position would Deejay Dallas projected to be at? Where did he excel in HS? Figure we are solid at DB spot with this haul...

#26-MEAST

Jan 29, 2017

Thomas and Henderson in the return game would be amazing

crossover22[]_[]

Jan 29, 2017

No mention of slaton lately. Is he all gaytor? Are we in it?

Memnon

Jan 29, 2017

PharmCane305 said:
very happy with this close along with Herbert from last week. Mcfarland obviously would have put it over the top but it is what it is.

What position would Deejay Dallas projected to be at? Where did he excel in HS? Figure we are solid at DB spot with this haul...

Deejay mostly played QB, WR & some DB in high school...

He's projected to be a WR/DB with us, it was always mainly based on how the numbers shook out... Meaning, if we didn't hit on certain WR's Deejay would play WR & same thing with CB.

The position Coach he's dealt with the most has been Dugans, so he'll probably play WR here, but it's also been stated by Deejay that he's going to play on both sides of the ball.

miamimike

Jan 29, 2017

mjackson6 said:
This class will (once ink hits paper) fix so many deficiencies on this team. CB, WR, OL all get a deep infusion of talented players (not just bodies or 1 impact guy.. multiple impact players. Add some depth at LB, 2 good QBs, and tons of speed.. possibly 5 guys in the low 4.4s and even 4.3s.

Couldn't agree more. Good post!

miamimike

Jan 29, 2017

Liberty City El said:
With Bandy, Amari Carter, Derrick Smith & possibly Deejay (if he plays Corner), adding Hendo, Dean & Edwards gives us one of the best DB hauls in the country.

That also gives us a ton of depth & flexibility come Fall camp.

They'll be young & inexperienced, but a great infusion of talent into this Secondary, combined with our Elite LB corp & Elite DL, our ****** Defense will be DOMINANT!

Then, if we land the class I think we will for 2018... #6 will be well within reach.

The 2016, 2017 & 18 classes are 3 classes in a row loaded with high caliber Elite talent... That's how you win your conference & compete for the playoffs.

That's what Bama, Clemson, FSU & Oh St do every year... Back to back to back classes with great talent = Natty's

Upvote!

B
BoxingRobes

Jan 29, 2017

If that is the close...its a top flight, T10 class in the country regardless of where 247 has us. Big, full class, that addresses all needs and areas of depth concerns with top flight South Florida talent.

Classic

Jan 29, 2017

IF we close like this, it'll be the best close I can remember since before the Shantard days. Addresses the immediate needs of DB, OL, and WR...

Major infusion of talent at defensive back.
Thomas plays day one at WR, Harley adds speed, and Njoku 2.0 is going to be dangerous in a year or two.
Plug and play OL in Donaldson, with solid local talent in Herbert, a criminally underrated mauler in Gaynor, and two athletic kids in Hillery and Dykstra with great upside.

Sprinkle in a versatile QB, a couple of elite DL, and quality LBs...class really would be a homerun. Only painful miss is McFarland, because, while Burns looked like a five star talent his sophomore year, he seems to be made of glass.

I'll save my grades for when #WatchTheFinish officially materializes.

Jan 29, 2017

crossover22[]_[];2813775 said:
No mention of slaton lately. Is he all gaytor? Are we in it?

Sorry Bud, Wake Forest was never seriously considered.

Southbeach44

Jan 29, 2017

I still think Smith is a silent. Pete has been very quiet about him lately. The fact that we did not offer a RB after McFarland flipped? Why visit if you are already committed? This is a different cat. I think he is gonna be in this class.

imurcane

Jan 29, 2017

I think this staff has done a very solid job. Right now there is Bama and OSU getting who they want. Then FSU and a few other teams getting most of what they want. Then everyone else. Okay not everyone else . . . I think we are probably in that third class though.

We have 2 QBs in the class. Look at what UGA is about to do, signing a 5 star right after the top qb last year. Richt will be able to land those types of guys. NKosi and Allison seem like they are the future here. Then we read Weldon is not slim pickings. Then Allison may not be the future. Well, to have 3 very talented kids competing at qb is going to be awesome! I believe we have upgraded the spot even if they aren't better than BK next year.

I don't want to overstate the importance of Gautheir contributing on the OL. Say what you want about the OL, they definitely made strides under the strength and conditioning last year. I expect more of that. Getting Sunny back healthy will be huge. Donaldson and Herbert will be ******* huge! I am getting excited about Gaynor as well, even if he shirts next year. George Brown, if he takes a step forward . . . I know this is an optimistic post here, but the OL may in fact be solid next season. I thought during the season it would take at least 2 classes, so this year and next year to get where we need to be. We might just get there a year early! The way it looks to me is we are going to be 2 deep on the OL, running 10 guys out there. Darling, maybe he slides inside. ****, Gaynor might be a mean mutha ****a that starts game 1, who knows. **** Im getting jacked, and it aint even signing day!

Okay, I am disappointed in the rb spot. Edwards staying would be nice. A grad transfer, even if marginal is better than a Golden special at rb. Gray has to contribute in some capacity. If Burns isn't healthy then I don't think we can afford to run Walton on special teams. And Im not sure we can run Homer on special teams either if Burns isn't healthy. We are not in an ideal spot . . . We did run Moss and Payton out there a while back!

I like Harley, Thomas, and NJoku at wideout. We def missed out here though. Jeudy and Smith would have been nice.

I like what we are returning at tight end.

Yeah I like the class a lot.

K
kostacane

Jan 29, 2017

Southbeach44 said:
I still think Smith is a silent. Pete has been very quiet about him lately. The fact that we did not offer a RB after McFarland flipped? Why visit if you are already committed? This is a different cat. I think he is gonna be in this class.

While I hope to God that you are right, all signs and logic suggest he will not be sending in a signed LOI to The U.

orange&green84

Jan 29, 2017

Schodel from CS apparently said CJ won't be on campus today. Not the end of the world, yet not a positive development either. Still up in the air on that one as I refuse to buy in that kid's coming.

T
TooColdToHold

Jan 29, 2017

orange&green84 said:
Schodel from CS apparently said CJ won't be on campus today. Not the end of the world, yet not a positive development either. Still up in the air on that one as I refuse to buy in that kid's coming.

Yeah, that sounds Saban stopped another kid from visiting.

OBLIVION

Jan 29, 2017

If we end up with Hendo and Thomas, it's' out ******* standing.

Nobody was thinking Hendo would come and everyone wanted an elite WR and that looked dem until Thomas popped up.

stormbrewing

Jan 29, 2017

If Pete says they comin, they comin... I'm not going to get all moped up... so far he missed on a MD running back that EVERYONE thought was in and that's it

nel352

Jan 29, 2017

imurcane said:
I think this staff has done a very solid job. Right now there is Bama and OSU getting who they want. Then FSU and a few other teams getting most of what they want. Then everyone else. Okay not everyone else . . . I think we are probably in that third class though.

We have 2 QBs in the class. Look at what UGA is about to do, signing a 5 star right after the top qb last year. Richt will be able to land those types of guys. NKosi and Allison seem like they are the future here. Then we read Weldon is not slim pickings. Then Allison may not be the future. Well, to have 3 very talented kids competing at qb is going to be awesome! I believe we have upgraded the spot even if they aren't better than BK next year.

I don't want to overstate the importance of Gautheir contributing on the OL. Say what you want about the OL, they definitely made strides under the strength and conditioning last year. I expect more of that. Getting Sunny back healthy will be huge. Donaldson and Herbert will be ******* huge! I am getting excited about Gaynor as well, even if he shirts next year. George Brown, if he takes a step forward . . . I know this is an optimistic post here, but the OL may in fact be solid next season. I thought during the season it would take at least 2 classes, so this year and next year to get where we need to be. We might just get there a year early! The way it looks to me is we are going to be 2 deep on the OL, running 10 guys out there. Darling, maybe he slides inside. ****, Gaynor might be a mean mutha ****a that starts game 1, who knows. **** Im getting jacked, and it aint even signing day!

Okay, I am disappointed in the rb spot. Edwards staying would be nice. A grad transfer, even if marginal is better than a Golden special at rb. Gray has to contribute in some capacity. If Burns isn't healthy then I don't think we can afford to run Walton on special teams. And Im not sure we can run Homer on special teams either if Burns isn't healthy. We are not in an ideal spot . . . We did run Moss and Payton out there a while back!

I like Harley, Thomas, and NJoku at wideout. We def missed out here though. Jeudy and Smith would have been nice.

I like what we are returning at tight end.

Yeah I like the class a lot.

excellent

pyhooya

Jan 29, 2017

brock said:
ghost2 said:

Not all, but I'd argue that this class if it pans out as above addresses our most pressing needs at OL, WR, and DB. RB was a tough miss. Need 2-3 good backs in 2018.

Click to expand...

Good thing there is a bunch of good backs in the state next year