Up until a month ago, 2019 Lake Brantley (FL) ATH Damarius Good had a quiet recruitment as a mostly unknown prospect with zero offers and no national ranking. However, everything changed when Tulsa offered Good his first scholarship back on April 24, and since then Good has blown up: he’s received 11 offers within the past month, with one of them coming from safeties coach Ephraim Banda and the Miami Hurricanes.
“Coach Banda came to my blue and white game and he told me to call him later that night. When I called him, he told me they offered me,” Good said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was just like shook, I wasn’t expecting to get an offer from Miami, it’s such a good school. I was excited and surprised, I thought I was dreaming.”
With his stock rising, many schools like UCF, USF, and Pitt have already gotten in on Good and there are sure to be more offers to come in the near future. Position-wise, the Canes see Good’s future on defense and project him at corner.
“They like me at cornerback right now,” Good said of Miami.
There was a reason Good was surprised about his Canes offer, though: he didn’t play much cornerback in his junior year for Lake Brantley, mostly functioning as an athlete that played multiple positions in their option offense.
“Right now where I’m at, I play running back and quarterback. We run option,” Good said. “I blocked a lot last season, scored three touchdowns, but I didn’t think I did that great last season which is why I was surprised about the Miami offer. I think track helped. I’m going to play more defense and cornerback this season so I can send schools some tape.”
So, which does he prefer: offense or defense?
“I’m still focusing on both, but I’d say defense,” Good said. “I like to be physical and hit people, and I’m quick, so I think that’s an advantage that I have.”
Growing up, Good followed the Canes and knows the tradition of defensive backs that have come through Coral Gables. It was one UM DB in particular that started his interest in the Canes though, and it might not be the one you’d expect.
“I follow them a little bit. They’ve had some of the best DB’s ever. A lot of the DB’s they’ve had were really good,” Good said. “One of my favorites, besides Sean Taylor, was Deon Bush. I liked him a lot, I used to watch his highlights all the time. He made me start getting into the history of all their defensive players.”
With his Miami offer in hand, will Good plan a visit to the Coral Gables campus at UM?
“Of course, coach Banda said he’s going to set up one soon,” Good said. “I want to meet the rest of the Miami coaching staff and see how they are.”
The 6'1" 175 pounder also plans to make the return trip for Paradise camp in July as well.
“Yes sir, I will go to Paradise camp,” Good said.
Since his recruitment has blown up so fast and new players seem to come in everyday, Good plans to take the process slow and make sure he knows all his options before coming to a decision. However, whoever else comes into play, he says the Canes will always be near the top of his recruitment.
“I’ll probably decide before the season, or possibly in the middle of the season,” said Good. “I’m probably going to play it slow for now, but Miami’s definitely up there.”
When it does come time to announce his commitment, though, Good will be looking for a school that can offer both academics and great coaching.
“First part is education. I want to have the stuff I need to be able to provide for myself,” Good said. “And a great coaching staff.”
“Coach Banda came to my blue and white game and he told me to call him later that night. When I called him, he told me they offered me,” Good said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was just like shook, I wasn’t expecting to get an offer from Miami, it’s such a good school. I was excited and surprised, I thought I was dreaming.”
With his stock rising, many schools like UCF, USF, and Pitt have already gotten in on Good and there are sure to be more offers to come in the near future. Position-wise, the Canes see Good’s future on defense and project him at corner.
“They like me at cornerback right now,” Good said of Miami.
There was a reason Good was surprised about his Canes offer, though: he didn’t play much cornerback in his junior year for Lake Brantley, mostly functioning as an athlete that played multiple positions in their option offense.
“Right now where I’m at, I play running back and quarterback. We run option,” Good said. “I blocked a lot last season, scored three touchdowns, but I didn’t think I did that great last season which is why I was surprised about the Miami offer. I think track helped. I’m going to play more defense and cornerback this season so I can send schools some tape.”
So, which does he prefer: offense or defense?
“I’m still focusing on both, but I’d say defense,” Good said. “I like to be physical and hit people, and I’m quick, so I think that’s an advantage that I have.”
Growing up, Good followed the Canes and knows the tradition of defensive backs that have come through Coral Gables. It was one UM DB in particular that started his interest in the Canes though, and it might not be the one you’d expect.
“I follow them a little bit. They’ve had some of the best DB’s ever. A lot of the DB’s they’ve had were really good,” Good said. “One of my favorites, besides Sean Taylor, was Deon Bush. I liked him a lot, I used to watch his highlights all the time. He made me start getting into the history of all their defensive players.”
With his Miami offer in hand, will Good plan a visit to the Coral Gables campus at UM?
“Of course, coach Banda said he’s going to set up one soon,” Good said. “I want to meet the rest of the Miami coaching staff and see how they are.”
The 6'1" 175 pounder also plans to make the return trip for Paradise camp in July as well.
“Yes sir, I will go to Paradise camp,” Good said.
Since his recruitment has blown up so fast and new players seem to come in everyday, Good plans to take the process slow and make sure he knows all his options before coming to a decision. However, whoever else comes into play, he says the Canes will always be near the top of his recruitment.
“I’ll probably decide before the season, or possibly in the middle of the season,” said Good. “I’m probably going to play it slow for now, but Miami’s definitely up there.”
When it does come time to announce his commitment, though, Good will be looking for a school that can offer both academics and great coaching.
“First part is education. I want to have the stuff I need to be able to provide for myself,” Good said. “And a great coaching staff.”
