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2009 Recruiting Class - Where are they now?

Larry

Larry

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This is a hodge podge of a lot of things...

It is a mix of players Miami recruited that went elsewhere and what they are up to today, its also a list of some local kids that didn't get a look at Miami and what they are up to. Its a pretty extensive list...not all encompassing though, as I am sure there are plenty of players I
missed when putting this together.

The 2009 Class is the start of a downhill trend for the 'Canes. Of the 19 player class for the 'Canes, only 10 are currently on the team. 3 others were 2012 NFL Draft picks. The remaining 6 are no longer with the team for a range of reasons. Of the 10 currently on the team, 4 are starters, while the rest are bench players, some deeper than others. Overall, a very non-traditional 'Cane class, but one of the reasons, IMO, poor evaluations and recruiting efforts by the then-staff. What do you think?

Listed are not only the hits, bit also some guys that were misses by the pundits as to remain fair.

Quarterback

**** Geno Smith, Miramar HS - A four-year starter for West Virginia and Heiman Trophy Contender. Miami didn't recruit Geno Smith and his Miramar buddies as strong as they should have. Projected to be a top draft pick come April's NFL Draft.

**** Denard Robinson, Deerfield Beach HS - Offered as a cornerback. Chose Michigan. Essentially a three year starter at quarterback for Michigan. Considered one of the most electric and most athletic players in the country.

*** Tom Savage, Cardinal O'Hara HS - Chose Rutgers over Miami and others. Transferred to Arizona and then transferred to Pitt.

Running back

***** Bryce Brown, East HS - This former commitment had a near non-existent college career. Bounced around from Tennessee to Kansas State, but has emerged as the primary backup for the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent.

**** Jamaal Berry, Palmetto HS - No offer. Signed with Ohio State and had a very underwhelming stay. Transferred to Murray State and is a rotation back averaging 6.0ypc this season.

*** Trabis Ward, Dillard HS - No offer. Had some grade issues. But, a media darling because he loved to talk. Ended up at Tennessee State where he is having a BIG year. Through 7 games, he's got 900 yards and 13 TDs and is generating some NFL Draft interest.

*** Daquan Hargrett, Northwestern HS - No offer, signed with West Virginia. A backup running back for the 'Neers.

Wide Receiver

***** Rueben Randle, Bastrop HS - Chose LSU. Highly regarded wide reciever ended up a second round choice of the New York Giants.

***** Andre Dubose, Seminole HS - Chose Florida over Miami. Non-productive career for the Gators.

**** Nu'Keese Richardson, Pahokee HS - Went to Tennessee and had a troubled career. Has quit football.

**** Rantavious Wooten, Glades Central HS - No offer. Went to Georgia and has had a very solid career.

*** Rodney Smith, Archbiship Carroll HS - No offer. Went to Florida State and has had a solid career.

*** Stedman Bailey, Miramar HS - No offer. Committed to West virginia and has become one of the best wide outs in the country. A top NFL draft prospect.

*** Dwayne Difton, St. Thomas - No offer. Went to UConn and was one of the most heralded recruits in UConn's program history. Has since transferred to Parts Unknown.

** Conner Vernon, Gulliver Prep - No offer. Committed to Duke. A pre-season All-American. Four year starter for the Blue Devils. As a senior, having the best season of his very good career.

*** Sterling Griffin, Pace HS - No offer. Committed to USF. Oft-injured throughout his career so far, but always one of USF's top wide outs.


Tight End

***** Orson Charles, Plant HS - Chose Georgia. Ended up being an All-SEC performer and NFL draft pick. A backup Tight End for the Bengals.

*** Dion Sims, St. Mary's Prep - Chose Michigan State over Miami and is considered one of the top tight ends in the country and projected NFL draft pick.

*** Gabe Holmes, St. Thomas - No offer. Chose Purdue. A backup tight end for the Boilermakers.


Offensive Line

***** Xavier Nixon, Jack Britt HS - Chose Florida. Starter...but often critisized but improving as a senior.

**** Marcus Hall, Glenville HS - Chose Ohio State over Miami. Currently the starting right guard for the Buckeyes.

**** Bobby Massie, Hargrave MA - A top JUCO target, Massie chose Ole Miss over Miami and ended up being a third round pick by the Cardinals and is currently starting..

*** Andrew Tiller, Nassau CC - In a year where the staff went hard on offensive linemen from the JUCO ranks, Tiller was offered but committed to Syracuse. Ended up being an NFL draft pick of the Saints.

**** Pete White, St. Johns HS - Highly regarded, chose Maryland over Miami. Backup interior lineman.

*** Quinton Washington, Timberland HS - Chose Michign over Miami. Now a starting defensive tackle for Michigan.

*** Antwan Lowery, Columbus HS - Not offered. Committed to Rutgers. Current starting guard. Middling player.


Defensive End

*** Antonio Harper, Hargrave MA - Former 2008 commit. Committed to Troy. Has moved on to Tennessee Tech where he is an All-Ohio Valley Conference player.

*** Ed Stinson, Homestead HS - Not offered. Currently a starting defensive end for Alabama.

Defensive Tackle

***** Sheldon Richardson, Gateway HS - Chose Mizzou over Miami. Went Prep. Signed with Mizzou. Now a starting defensive tackle for Mizzou.

***** William Campbell, Cass Tech HS - Chose Michigan over Miami. Kind of a JAG for most of his career, he's now a starter on the defensive line for Michigan.


Linebacker

*** Sam Barrington, Terry Parker HS - Chose USF over Miami. Multi-year starter and major contributor.

*** Shane Gordon, Cypress Bay HS - No offer. Chose Pitt. Currently a contributor.

** Devon Butler, Everglades HS - No offer. Chose Northern Illinois. After getting shot...and then stabbed (seriously, separate events), he asked for his release from NIU and now attends Western Illinois. A starter and solid player for WIU.

Defensive Back

*** Xavier Rhodes, Norland HS - No offer and has gone on to be an All-American Caliber cornerback at Florida State and is a projected top NFL draft pick.

*** Kayvon Webster, Pace HS - Chose USF over Miami. Now a starter as a senior. A major contributor for the Bulls.

*** Ricardo Dixon, Hallandale HS - No offer. Chose USF. Played for USF for two season after redshirting. Transferred to Youngstown State. Not a starter.

*** Josh Robinson, Plantation HS - No offer. Committed to UCF. Became a top corner in college football. Became a third round pick of the Minnesota Vikings after declaring early.

** Phillip Thomas, Miami Edison HS - No offer. Committed to Syracuse. Solid player for them. Declared early for the NFL Draft due to off the field issues. Went undrafted. Signed by the Eagles. Was cut during camp.

*** Prince Kent, Norcross HS - Former Miami commitment. Ended up at Baylor. Special teamer as a linebacker.

*** Michael Carter, Ely HS - No offer. Went to Minnesota. Four year contributor.

*** Demontre Hurst, Lancaster HS - Offered, but committed to Oklahoma. Hurst is considered one of the best corners in the country as a senior and a projected Top 3 round draft pick in April's draft.

*** Jayron Hosley, Atlantic HS - Not offered. Committed to Virginia Tech and became an All-American cornerback. Drafted by the New York Giants in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Current contribtor for the Giants.
 
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Geno Smith, Denard Robinson, Stedman Bailey, Ed Stinson, Conner Vernon, Xavier Rhodes, Josh Robinson, Jayron Holsey...all within 25 minutes of campus and they were straight up guys that barely got looks...or in the case of Denard and Geno, were half *** recruited.

We came in "2nd" for a lot of guys that year...Bryce Brown (his story would be a LOT different if he stuck with Miami, perhaps, Arthur, too), Andre Dubose, Dion Sims, Xavier Nixon, Marcus Hall, Bobby Massie, Andrew Tiller, Q Washington, Sheldon Richardson, William Campbell, Sam Barrington, and Kayvon Webster.
 
You must spread some rep around, thanks for the post.

Man some of those names are a blast from the past. Hall, Massie, Tiller, Sims, Berry, Lowery, Richardson, Campbell, etc where all guys I remember talking about on Grassy. We went after those MI and OH boys hard that year and obviously whiffed.

Crazy that we lost Webster and Barrington (did he have a legit offer?, memory weak on him) to USF, both would have played here a lot.
 
So what you trying to say randy is a bad coach...........











/sarcasm.... this thread points out the obvious
// there is a reason we have sucked
 
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DiegoCane said:
You must spread some rep around, thanks for the post.

Man some of those names are a blast from the past. Hall, Massie, Tiller, Sims, Berry, Lowery, Richardson, Campbell, etc where all guys I remember talking about on Grassy. We went after those MI and OH boys hard that year and obviously whiffed.

Crazy that we lost Webster and Barrington (did he have a legit offer?, memory weak on him) to USF, both would have played here a lot.
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Webster and Barrington were funny cases. Webster left to be a "big fish in a small pond" and play with his boy (Sterling Griffin) and claimed Randy "lulz, playin snake" when he tried to call him...wanted to play right away. Same with Barrington. Oddly enough, those two would have been immediate contributors and regular contributors since for Miami and they left here because they didn't think they would.
 
BisCane said:
the list of misses at CB is mindblowing
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It is South Florida, so, Miami won't be able to get every SoFla DB that ends up succeeding...there are just too many that do. But for Miami to leave that many players on the table at a position South Florida feeds you every year is mind blowingly bad.

McGee will end up being a pretty high draft pick...Ray Ray will get looks by NFL teams and maybe they develop him. Both were very underwhelming players here. Jamal Reid couldn't play here and Prince Kent was out of here before he got here and would have ended up a linebacker and non-contributor anyway.

Missing out on guys everyone was pining for like Jayron Holsey and Xavier Rhodes is silly. Rhodes didn't even hear from us lol and he was sitting there with an FSU offer lol.
 
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Who didn't love Trabis Ward?

Miami even gave him a super late look, IIRC. We had some extra spots open and he had yet to ink with TSU and we were looking to bring him in if grades were alright. Never happened.

Stinson was a guy I was trying to get the premium board behind...but was always told "grades" and "off-the-field" concerns. Stinson would be a key and vital player to the Miami defensive line this year. The opposite side of Chickillo is dying for that type of player.
 
Randy had some good "finds" targeted though, but it also ended up being one of the problems with the class. He had Demontre Hurst offered very early and recruited him very hard. Sooner or later Oklahoma State swooped in and got his commitment and eventually he found his way to Oklahoma...but Randy was on that kid hard, early. Hurst ended up being very good.

But, I thought that was one of his problems, especially with this class. He didn't have to go to the mid-west to go after Hurst. He had Holsey, Robinson, and Xavier Rhodes right down the road.

Same with Patrick Nix wanting Tom Savage badly. They didn't have to leave more than 25 minutes from campus to get Denard Robinson or Geno Smith. We recruiting Denard generally strong as a defensive back (again, why tell Denard, who demands to be a QB, he'll be a CB, when you have a **** load of SoFla DBs?) and basically giving Geno a half *** look.

Went after OOS Rueben Randle and Central Florida kid Andre Dubose really hard...but could have taken Stedman Bailey.

Went balls out for Sheldon Richardson and William Campbell, could have gone down the road and got Ed Stinson.

Was a real strange recruiting cycle.

I believe our dude EthnicSands signaled this class as the sign of the apocalypse very early on in the cycle and it ended up being worse than he projected.
 
DMoney said:
McGriff was begging for Jayron Hosely and Phillip Thomas.
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Didn't even have to get out of their **** car...'09 South Florida was a year everyone thought was "down" lol...and I guess the staff did too...they recruited all of these high rated national players and didn't have to leave Dade and Broward...could have assembled our 20-man class and been done with it by August.

Imagine a re-class of...

QB Geno Smith and/or Denard Robinson (give him his "chance" and move him to CB or WR)
QB AJ Highsmith (automatically switched to S)
RB Lamar Miller
RB Mike James
WR Stedman Bailey
WR Rodney Smith
TE Cory White (pass on Plein and Sanders)
OT Jermaine Johnson
OT Malcolm Bunche (signed and placed)
OL Brandon Washington
OL Jared Wheeler
DE Ed Stinson (in turn, can pass on Shayon Green)
DE Olivier Vernon
DE Dyron Dye
DT Curtis Porter
DT Luther Robinson
CB Brandon McGee
CB Jayron Holsey
CB Xavier Rhodes
CB Josh Robinson (over Jamal Reid)
S Ray Ray Armstrong
S Phillip Thomas (over Prince Kent)

Miami is a lot different program today, for sure...and they never had to leave Dade/Broward and simply recruit these guys like the top guys they were. I'm not exactly reinventing the wheel here or asking for unrealistic targets. But, that ends up being some game changing talent.
 
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I don't mean to ramble on...but this is the class that lost Randy his job, essentially. Very few hits, very few actual Miami quality talents, and this was he result of a very poor recruiting direction and really showed his lack of eye for talent here in South Florida (which should always be priority #1. 2010 ended up being a lot worse, but 2009 should have been a very "base hit" level class with much of the class wrapped up by August that ends up turning the University of Miami around, despite "corch level" efforts elsewhere. Miami had a lot of momentum coming off that 2008 class and could have and easily rolled it into momentum in 2009. Some of these guys were basically starters and contributors from Day 1. Un-****-up-able players from South Florida.

This is more of a recruiting forum post, but it shows you how important this 2013 class is for Golden. South Florida is littered with un-****-up-able players. He needs to go get them.

Similarly, besides Randy's second full class being his undoing...look at RichRod in Michigan...similar. Big time first class. Very awful second class. And he's gone soon after, same with Randy.

Shows how important the 2013 class is for Golden. Tons of local players with ridiculous talent that should bet here for the taking in a class that is "small" but not ridiculously small. Everyone needs to be a hit.
 
Larry said:
DMoney said:
McGriff was begging for Jayron Hosely and Phillip Thomas.
Click to expand...

Didn't even have to get out of their **** car...'09 South Florida was a year everyone thought was "down" lol...and I guess the staff did too...they recruited all of these high rated national players and didn't have to leave Dade and Broward...could have assembled our 20-man class and been done with it by August.

Imagine a re-class of...

QB Geno Smith and/or Denard Robinson (give him his "chance" and move him to CB or WR)
QB AJ Highsmith (automatically switched to S)
RB Lamar Miller
RB Mike James
WR Stedman Bailey
WR Rodney Smith
TE Cory White (pass on Plein and Sanders)
OT Jermaine Johnson
OT Malcolm Bunche (signed and placed)
OL Brandon Washington
OL Jared Wheeler
DE Ed Stinson (in turn, can pass on Shayon Green)
DE Olivier Vernon
DE Dyron Dye
DT Curtis Porter
DT Luther Robinson
CB Brandon McGee
CB Jayron Holsey
CB Xavier Rhodes
CB Josh Robinson (over Jamal Reid)
S Ray Ray Armstrong
S Phillip Thomas (over Prince Kent)

Miami is a lot different program today, for sure...and they never had to leave Dade/Broward and simply recruit these guys like the top guys they were. I'm not exactly reinventing the wheel here or asking for unrealistic targets. But, that ends up being some game changing talent.
Click to expand...

It amazing to think how much better we'd be with a class like this...
 
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Burr said:
After rewatching that Trabis ward video, how do you not take Trabis?
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He had some really really rough grades and he wasn't fast. I think he was running 4.6's at 5'9", 190. But, he's that traditional South Florida kid, man. Got the personality and just balls. Everyone knew he'd be a baller...but didn't have the stuff you'd look for in regards to H/W/S and the grades put it over the top.

He waited a long time for a better offer than Tennessee State. Was a real late signee. IIRC, he had sign and place offers from a few schools (South Carolina, maybe, don't recall), but he was adamant he was playing. He actually struggled his freshman year at Tennessee State, was injured as a sophomore and ended up balling as a RSSo and taking that next step as a RSJr. Leading FCS in rushing attempts, 2nd in Rushing Touchdowns. Going to be a guy up for awards at the end of this year and if he sticks around for his senior season, going to be one of the top 2-3 returning RBs in FCS next year.
 
solid post, but i really wouldn't want denard on this squad.

i see enough of him at school and he's pretty awful. great sophomore season, steady decline since then. i'd honestly prefer j12 over him based on the team we would have had surrounding him.
 
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