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Welcome to the tenth 2019 edition of the column I like to call “The Freshman 15”. If you’re a first time reader, this will be a focus on the rankings and the order of the top 15 uncommitted (to Miami) recruits the coaching staff is pursuing.
The order will be based mainly on:
This column will be updated throughout the cycle each month and will show movement up or down for each recruit as the list is updated.
We’re back after a month’s absence. With the frequency of the “recruiting chatter” updates we were putting out multiple times per week heading down the stretch into the early signing period last month, I felt a December Freshman 15 update was not as necessary, and would be too much of a rehash of things I essentially just posted days before. While I’ll still be coming with as many “recruiting chatter” updates as possible through February signing day, things have changed exponentially for Miami recruiting in the past month; with the majority of the early targets signed and gone, a new head coach, and a completely new staff on offense, the board has been radically altered. Therefore, now that the entire staff is set, I see a lot of value in fleshing out the new targets and determining who the priorities are down the stretch.
Let’s get into the board for January.
1. Lance LeGendre, QB, New Orleans, LA (Warren Easton) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 205 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #256 Overall
Evaluation: Shows a plus arm and flicks the deep ball with ease. Touch throws into tight windows are certainly within his repertoire. Demonstrates that he can play the game at the next level between the ears and had at least one play where he looked off a safety. A willing runner that has good speed and the ability to make defenders miss in space. Has a bit of an unorthodox throwing motion/wind-up, so there’s things that need to be cleaned up with him mechanically, but LeGendre has all the tools to become a very good college QB.
In The Mix: Miami, FSU, and Tennessee.
Latest: It’s no secret that Miami’s main priority since Manny Diaz was hired was to land a QB in this class and new OC Dan Enos has been a man on a mission since he was brought on two weeks back to turn that into a reality. LeGendre and Peyton Matocha could essentially be considered 1a and 1b at this point, as Enos loves both, but since I have to pick one, I’ll give the nod to LeGendre since he is more highly regarded in recruiting circles. Yes, UM got in very late with LeGendre and other top contenders FSU and Tennessee have been around longer, so it’s hard to say just how interested he is in ultimately coming to Miami. However, that’s a bit misleading, as Enos already has a relationship with LeGendre from recruiting him to Alabama. It’s also encouraging that he immediately set an official visit to UM for Feb. 1st right after he landed his offer last week despite other offers from plenty of big-time programs; he’ll be in Tallahassee this weekend on an OV. This recruitment will be in wait-and-see mode as things are still developing, but UM at the very least has given themselves a shot by getting him on campus.
2. Peyton Matocha, QB, Houston, TX (St. Thomas) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 205 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #1,670 Overall
Evaluation: Love his ability to feel the rush, shift around in the pocket to evade defenders, and find throwing lanes. It’s clear he’s comfortable rolling out and throwing on the move. Steps into his throws with confidence and can unleash a pretty deep ball when he has time. Not a burner, but has enough juice to make you pay on the ground if you leave him unaccounted for. Lack of zip on throws to the outside could ultimately limit his upside. An intriguing prospect that could excel with the right coaching/system.
In The Mix: Miami, Texas A&M, and Wyoming.
Latest: Enos has been keeping tabs on Matocha for a while at Bama, but with Taulia Tagovailoa in the fold for the Crimson Tide, he never had the need to take a chance on Matocha. UM is in a much more dire situation at QB both in this cycle and on the roster, so taking an underrated, developmental type prospect that you love makes sense in that context. Enos just offered Matocha over the weekend, and it was the Texas product’s first Power 5 offer; Matocha was previously favoring Wyoming from his limited offer list, so it’s safe to say the Canes are the obvious leader as of now. An interesting wrinkle to this recruitment is that Texas A&M has already brought in Matocha on an official visit without offering, so things could get interesting if the in-state Aggies pull the trigger on him. Still, Miami has a fantastic chance to show him he’s really loved and lock him up this weekend on his official visit to Coral Gables, something I expect will happen barring a late offer from another top-tier program.
3. Khris Bogle, DE, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Cardinal Gibbons) (Last: 1)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 210 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #71 Overall
Evaluation: Bogle makes his living in the opponent backfield and it’s tough for offensive linemen to square up on him with his speed off the edge. While he needs to add weight for the next level, Bogle’s first step is devastating and he has the potential to be a dynamic pass rusher for whichever team lands his services.
In The Mix: Bogle is committed to Alabama, but is also looking at Miami, Tennessee, and UF.
Latest: From the last Freshman 15 update, Bogle pulled somewhat of a shocker and announced for Bama, when most in the industry expected him to choose the Canes. In the past few weeks, though, UM has continued to put on the full court press to flip him from Alabama, and I’m told from a good source that Bogle is still open to that idea. All of the coaching turnover at Bama is giving Bogle pause, so there is definitely more legs to this than simply internet rumors. However, I’m told that a big hurdle is going to be getting mom on board, as she seems set with Alabama at this time. I’ve also been told the real “third” team to keep an eye on is UF, and not Tennessee like many think. Bogle is headed to Gainesville for an OV this weekend and some feel the Gators are truly a legitimate contender here.
4. Mark-Antony Richards, ATH, West Palm Beach, FL (Wellington) (Last: 3)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 195 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #90 Overall
Evaluation: Running back, safety, receiver, quarterback, kicker, don’t matter. The book on Richards is simple: get him on the roster, figure out his position later. He’s that good. His speed and football instincts will play anywhere, he loves offense, and has great family lineage.
In The Mix: Miami, Auburn, Florida, Penn State, and UGA make up Richards’ top 5.
Latest: Like I mentioned earlier this week, I was told by a program source that Miami feels they are trending down with Richards. The 4-star athlete from Wellington has been very quiet the past few months and has seemed to put more distance between himself and Miami; I’m told that’s not a coincidence. UM getting rid of primary recruiter and longtime family friend Thomas Brown from the staff has hurt UM’s chances too. I don’t think it’s over, but Miami at the very least has work to do to land the legacy recruit. While I’m not too confident in UM’s chances right now, the Canes certainly have a chance to flip that around if they knock his official visit out of the park this weekend.
5. Darius Washington, OT, Pensacola, FL (West Florida Tech) (Last: 10)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 285 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #646 Overall
Evaluation: Washington is at his best when he’s on the move and pulling or blocking out in space. He plays with redirect power in his upper body and strikes his target with menace. Looks much more advanced in the run game, while his pass blocking is still improving. Washington needs to redistribute some of the weight in his upper half and he plays a little high, but has good potential to mold.
In The Mix: The Mississippi State commit is taking a look at South Carolina, Miami, UCF, and FSU.
Latest: UM has zeroed in on Washington as the sole offensive lineman target at a huge area of need, so he certainly is a big priority down the stretch. Miami was able to get Washington back on campus for a second official visit this weekend (NCAA rules allow for that after a head coaching change). Academics have been the main factor keeping UM in the game here all along, and they will continue to push for a flip with the Mississippi State commit. I’ve always said this would be a 50-50 recruitment for UM contingent on getting Washington back on campus, so you have to like seeing Washington in Coral Gables yet again. Miami felt good about their chances to ultimately make the flip coming out of the weekend, but Washington landed an FSU offer this week and it is absolutely a game changer; I’ve known Washington has been waiting on a bid from the Noles for a while now. If he takes an official to FSU, which seems likely at this point, things will get dicey for UM’s chances.
6. Christian Williams, CB, Daphne, AL (Daphne) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 180 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #163 Overall
Evaluation: Williams has the prototypical size at 6’1” that many schools are salivating over these days and is definitely a new age corner. Breaks on the ball well and lets the QB’s eyes guide him around the gridiron. More of a long-strider than a track-star, but his top-end speed is very good. A true athlete in every sense that plays all over the field as a receiver, wildcat QB, returner, and kick blocking specialist in addition to corner.
In The Mix: The Bama commit is considering Miami, LSU, Texas A&M, and Oregon.
Latest: The way things are trending with Williams, it doesn’t look like he will be a take for Alabama anymore and he is currently not planning an official visit to the Tide, which is obviously huge for UM’s chances. Like I brought up earlier in the week, UM feels they made a big move with him after his OV this weekend, but as always, the key will be if his visit high lasts over time, or fades away. Williams is currently set to see Texas A&M and Oregon on official visits the last two weekends, but there are rumblings that LSU could steal one of those.
7. Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT, Middle Village, NY (Christ the King) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 285 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #569 Overall
Evaluation: Harrison-Hunte can overwhelm blockers with pure strength and explosiveness when his feet are right. He is strong enough in his lower half to play through contact and cause stress in the pocket. Shows quick, strong hands in pass rush situations and is able to attack with technique.
In The Mix: Miami, Penn State, Ohio State, Bama, and Arizona State.
Latest: It cannot be understated: Harrison-Hunte cancelling his Bama official visit to instead OV to Miami for a second time this upcoming weekend is major. Technically, Harriston-Hunte could still visit Bama or elsewhere the final weekend of recruiting, but what an effort by the staff here and they now have the Canes in a good position to pull Harrison-Hunte from way up north. The prime competition has always been Penn State, but Surge19 members and fellow New Yorkers Jason Blissett and Adam ElGammal are constantly in Harrison-Hunte’s ear to get him to the U. Penn State is probably still the slight favorite, but depending on how his OV this weekend goes, Harrison-Hunte could be UM’s to lose.
8. Martin Emerson, S, Pensacola, FL (Pine Forest) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 185 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #989 Overall
Evaluation: Top end speed and ball skills are lacking, but he makes up for it with an intriguing blend of athleticism, length, and instinct. Has good field awareness and always seems to anticipate and react quickly to make a play.
In The Mix: The Mississippi State commit is also considering Oregon along with UM.
Latest: Like Washington and Harrison-Hunte, Emerson also plans to take his second OV to UM, scheduled for this weekend. The difference is that the Crystal Ball’s started rolling in for the Canes shortly after, and momentum seems to be on the Canes’ side right now in what before seemed like a 50-50 battle with Mississippi State. Emerson also officially visited Oregon last weekend, but he is likely not a take for the Ducks as of now. UM is definitely in a good spot here, and we’ll have to see what rumblings come out after his OV.
9. George Pickens, WR, Hoover, AL (Hoover) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-5 | Wt 190 | 247 Composite: 5-Star, #24 Overall
Evaluation: With Pickens, it’s all about his 6’5” frame and how easy he makes it look out there to run with that build. He played like a man possessed when I saw him out at the Opening Finals in July, as Pickens is very fluid and used that frame to make himself the Opening’s top red-zone target, grabbing a whopping 9 touchdowns over the two days.
In The Mix: The Auburn commit is also taking a look at schools like Miami, LSU, and Georgia.
Latest: I’ll keep this short because, until proven otherwise, Pickens has to be considered a longshot to end up signing with UM. If Pickens had already visited UM or had set plans to see campus, he’d be much higher on this board. That is not the case; however, he still has both of the final weekends open to potentially see Miami. This is the type of scenario where you just get him on campus and see what happens, but I’d have to hear something really strong to pick UM here. (UPDATE: Pickens has decided to come to UM this weekend on an OV).
10. Eugene Asante, LB, Chantily, VA (Westfield) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 210 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #283 Overall
Evaluation: On film, Asante shows traits of an explosive, quick-twitch athlete. He has great flexibility with loose hips to turn, twist, and chase, adding excellent reactive quickness and change-of-direction agility. As a dynamic playmaker in space, Asante locks onto targets and instantly accelerates to the ball.
In The Mix: FSU, VT, UNC, UCLA, and Miami are all involved with Asante.
Latest: As I mentioned earlier this week, Asante is the main priority for the Canes’ final spot at LB. Even though UM wants him badly and have sent coaches to see him up in Virginia, as of now things aren’t looking great for Miami’s chances since he isn’t planning an OV to Coral Gables. Asante has set his final two official visits to FSU and UNC, respectively, so the Canes would have to get him to drop one of those at the last minute or convince him to take a mid-week OV next week to really have a shot here.
11. OC Brothers, LB, Southwest Brevard County, FL (Rockledge) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 210 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #2090 Overall
Evaluation: He reads and reacts to plays quickly and takes good angles when pursuing the football. Extremely physical and wraps up well as a tackler. Brothers quickly erases holes created up front and is able to fire downhill to make the stop.
In The Mix: Auburn, UNC, and Miami make up Brothers’ top 3.
Latest: Brothers recently narrowed down his choices to a final 3 of Auburn, UNC, and Miami, and he will take his final visit of the process to UM on Feb. 1st weekend. While UM prefers Asante, UM has always felt better on their chances to ultimately land Brothers, and he is saying the right things to make the staff believe he’ll be a Cane in the end. As always, his visit will really tell the story, and having him on campus just before the dead period will be a slight boost to UM’s chances.
12. Kaiir Elam, CB, North Palm Beach, FL (The Benjamin School) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 180 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #48 Overall
Evaluation: Elam looks like a star in the making and he is very physically impressive up close after seeing him at multiple camps. He has next-level instincts, and displays great hip-flip when running with receivers. He uses his size well in press coverage to jam receivers off the line and adds to that elite speed. He is the complete package at corner.
In The Mix: Elam is considering Miami, Florida, UGA, and Colorado at the moment.
Latest: While there was some positive buzz on Elam after his UM official back in December, that has mostly died off as time has gone on. It’s hard to see him ending up at Miami at this point, as the Gators and Bulldogs seem to be far in front here. Elam plans to see Colorado this weekend, but has left the final weekend before signing day open. If UM can convince him to come back for a second OV, their chances would certainly go way up to land Elam.
13. TJ Jones, WR, Lake City, FL (Columbia) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 185 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #581 Overall
Evaluation: Jones is a bit of a swiss army knife, in that he does many things well, but nothing great. Still, he has that old school game that coaches love: he’s a good route runner, catches the ball away from his body, is a willing blocker, and can make tacklers miss when he gets the ball in space.
In The Mix: Texas A&M, Penn State, and Indiana.
Latest: Even after the offensive staff was gutted, Jones had been keeping in touch with the remaining UM staff in the interim while Diaz brought on his new coaches. However, since Enos and new WR coach Taylor Stubblefield were hired, Jones has not been in touch with either to the best of my knowledge. Without any contact or plans to officially visit UM, it is not looking likely that he will end up in this class, but perhaps Miami gets back in touch after losing Marquez Ezzard to the portal.
14. Ja’Darien Boykin, DE, Gray, GA (Jones County) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 235 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #320 Overall
Evaluation: Shows serious skill as a pass rusher and his quick feet make him great at changing direction. Relentless motor on the field and rarely takes snaps off. Has good closing burst to the sidelines to keep contain. His height will always limit his upside, but offensive linemen find it hard to wash him out of plays and he gets off blocks well to make stops.
In The Mix: Louisville and…?
Latest: Since I had some extra space on the board, I decided to include Boykin since he just took an official to Coral Gables, but unless something changes in the next week and a half, Boykin will not be a Cane. For those that missed it, UM recently told Boykin they did not have room for him in the class, so it would really take a big (and quick) change of heart on Miami’s part for him to sign with UM… and that’s assuming the relationship isn’t already soured beyond repair.
15. N/A
Falling Off
2. Jadon Haselwood, WR: signed with OU.
4. Lloyd Summerall, DE: signed with UF.
5. Jalen Wydermyer, TE: signed with TAMU.
6. Tyrique Stevenson, S: signed with UGA.
7. Evan Neal, OT: signed with Bama.
9. Keon Zipperer, TE: signed with UF.
10. Quashon Fuller, DT: no longer considering Miami.
11. DJ Williams, RB: signed with Auburn.
12. Justin Eboigbe, DE: signed with Bama.
13. Cornelius Nunn, S: signed with Syracuse.
14. Akeem Dent, CB: signed with FSU.
15. Jordan Battle, S: signed with Bama.
Welcome to the tenth 2019 edition of the column I like to call “The Freshman 15”. If you’re a first time reader, this will be a focus on the rankings and the order of the top 15 uncommitted (to Miami) recruits the coaching staff is pursuing.
The order will be based mainly on:
- How likely a recruit is to commit to Miami at the time
- Skill level
- Miami's need at their position
This column will be updated throughout the cycle each month and will show movement up or down for each recruit as the list is updated.
We’re back after a month’s absence. With the frequency of the “recruiting chatter” updates we were putting out multiple times per week heading down the stretch into the early signing period last month, I felt a December Freshman 15 update was not as necessary, and would be too much of a rehash of things I essentially just posted days before. While I’ll still be coming with as many “recruiting chatter” updates as possible through February signing day, things have changed exponentially for Miami recruiting in the past month; with the majority of the early targets signed and gone, a new head coach, and a completely new staff on offense, the board has been radically altered. Therefore, now that the entire staff is set, I see a lot of value in fleshing out the new targets and determining who the priorities are down the stretch.
Let’s get into the board for January.
1. Lance LeGendre, QB, New Orleans, LA (Warren Easton) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 205 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #256 Overall
Evaluation: Shows a plus arm and flicks the deep ball with ease. Touch throws into tight windows are certainly within his repertoire. Demonstrates that he can play the game at the next level between the ears and had at least one play where he looked off a safety. A willing runner that has good speed and the ability to make defenders miss in space. Has a bit of an unorthodox throwing motion/wind-up, so there’s things that need to be cleaned up with him mechanically, but LeGendre has all the tools to become a very good college QB.
In The Mix: Miami, FSU, and Tennessee.
Latest: It’s no secret that Miami’s main priority since Manny Diaz was hired was to land a QB in this class and new OC Dan Enos has been a man on a mission since he was brought on two weeks back to turn that into a reality. LeGendre and Peyton Matocha could essentially be considered 1a and 1b at this point, as Enos loves both, but since I have to pick one, I’ll give the nod to LeGendre since he is more highly regarded in recruiting circles. Yes, UM got in very late with LeGendre and other top contenders FSU and Tennessee have been around longer, so it’s hard to say just how interested he is in ultimately coming to Miami. However, that’s a bit misleading, as Enos already has a relationship with LeGendre from recruiting him to Alabama. It’s also encouraging that he immediately set an official visit to UM for Feb. 1st right after he landed his offer last week despite other offers from plenty of big-time programs; he’ll be in Tallahassee this weekend on an OV. This recruitment will be in wait-and-see mode as things are still developing, but UM at the very least has given themselves a shot by getting him on campus.
2. Peyton Matocha, QB, Houston, TX (St. Thomas) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 205 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #1,670 Overall
Evaluation: Love his ability to feel the rush, shift around in the pocket to evade defenders, and find throwing lanes. It’s clear he’s comfortable rolling out and throwing on the move. Steps into his throws with confidence and can unleash a pretty deep ball when he has time. Not a burner, but has enough juice to make you pay on the ground if you leave him unaccounted for. Lack of zip on throws to the outside could ultimately limit his upside. An intriguing prospect that could excel with the right coaching/system.
In The Mix: Miami, Texas A&M, and Wyoming.
Latest: Enos has been keeping tabs on Matocha for a while at Bama, but with Taulia Tagovailoa in the fold for the Crimson Tide, he never had the need to take a chance on Matocha. UM is in a much more dire situation at QB both in this cycle and on the roster, so taking an underrated, developmental type prospect that you love makes sense in that context. Enos just offered Matocha over the weekend, and it was the Texas product’s first Power 5 offer; Matocha was previously favoring Wyoming from his limited offer list, so it’s safe to say the Canes are the obvious leader as of now. An interesting wrinkle to this recruitment is that Texas A&M has already brought in Matocha on an official visit without offering, so things could get interesting if the in-state Aggies pull the trigger on him. Still, Miami has a fantastic chance to show him he’s really loved and lock him up this weekend on his official visit to Coral Gables, something I expect will happen barring a late offer from another top-tier program.
3. Khris Bogle, DE, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Cardinal Gibbons) (Last: 1)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 210 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #71 Overall
Evaluation: Bogle makes his living in the opponent backfield and it’s tough for offensive linemen to square up on him with his speed off the edge. While he needs to add weight for the next level, Bogle’s first step is devastating and he has the potential to be a dynamic pass rusher for whichever team lands his services.
In The Mix: Bogle is committed to Alabama, but is also looking at Miami, Tennessee, and UF.
Latest: From the last Freshman 15 update, Bogle pulled somewhat of a shocker and announced for Bama, when most in the industry expected him to choose the Canes. In the past few weeks, though, UM has continued to put on the full court press to flip him from Alabama, and I’m told from a good source that Bogle is still open to that idea. All of the coaching turnover at Bama is giving Bogle pause, so there is definitely more legs to this than simply internet rumors. However, I’m told that a big hurdle is going to be getting mom on board, as she seems set with Alabama at this time. I’ve also been told the real “third” team to keep an eye on is UF, and not Tennessee like many think. Bogle is headed to Gainesville for an OV this weekend and some feel the Gators are truly a legitimate contender here.
4. Mark-Antony Richards, ATH, West Palm Beach, FL (Wellington) (Last: 3)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 195 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #90 Overall
Evaluation: Running back, safety, receiver, quarterback, kicker, don’t matter. The book on Richards is simple: get him on the roster, figure out his position later. He’s that good. His speed and football instincts will play anywhere, he loves offense, and has great family lineage.
In The Mix: Miami, Auburn, Florida, Penn State, and UGA make up Richards’ top 5.
Latest: Like I mentioned earlier this week, I was told by a program source that Miami feels they are trending down with Richards. The 4-star athlete from Wellington has been very quiet the past few months and has seemed to put more distance between himself and Miami; I’m told that’s not a coincidence. UM getting rid of primary recruiter and longtime family friend Thomas Brown from the staff has hurt UM’s chances too. I don’t think it’s over, but Miami at the very least has work to do to land the legacy recruit. While I’m not too confident in UM’s chances right now, the Canes certainly have a chance to flip that around if they knock his official visit out of the park this weekend.
5. Darius Washington, OT, Pensacola, FL (West Florida Tech) (Last: 10)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 285 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #646 Overall
Evaluation: Washington is at his best when he’s on the move and pulling or blocking out in space. He plays with redirect power in his upper body and strikes his target with menace. Looks much more advanced in the run game, while his pass blocking is still improving. Washington needs to redistribute some of the weight in his upper half and he plays a little high, but has good potential to mold.
In The Mix: The Mississippi State commit is taking a look at South Carolina, Miami, UCF, and FSU.
Latest: UM has zeroed in on Washington as the sole offensive lineman target at a huge area of need, so he certainly is a big priority down the stretch. Miami was able to get Washington back on campus for a second official visit this weekend (NCAA rules allow for that after a head coaching change). Academics have been the main factor keeping UM in the game here all along, and they will continue to push for a flip with the Mississippi State commit. I’ve always said this would be a 50-50 recruitment for UM contingent on getting Washington back on campus, so you have to like seeing Washington in Coral Gables yet again. Miami felt good about their chances to ultimately make the flip coming out of the weekend, but Washington landed an FSU offer this week and it is absolutely a game changer; I’ve known Washington has been waiting on a bid from the Noles for a while now. If he takes an official to FSU, which seems likely at this point, things will get dicey for UM’s chances.
6. Christian Williams, CB, Daphne, AL (Daphne) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 180 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #163 Overall
Evaluation: Williams has the prototypical size at 6’1” that many schools are salivating over these days and is definitely a new age corner. Breaks on the ball well and lets the QB’s eyes guide him around the gridiron. More of a long-strider than a track-star, but his top-end speed is very good. A true athlete in every sense that plays all over the field as a receiver, wildcat QB, returner, and kick blocking specialist in addition to corner.
In The Mix: The Bama commit is considering Miami, LSU, Texas A&M, and Oregon.
Latest: The way things are trending with Williams, it doesn’t look like he will be a take for Alabama anymore and he is currently not planning an official visit to the Tide, which is obviously huge for UM’s chances. Like I brought up earlier in the week, UM feels they made a big move with him after his OV this weekend, but as always, the key will be if his visit high lasts over time, or fades away. Williams is currently set to see Texas A&M and Oregon on official visits the last two weekends, but there are rumblings that LSU could steal one of those.
7. Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT, Middle Village, NY (Christ the King) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-4 | Wt 285 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #569 Overall
Evaluation: Harrison-Hunte can overwhelm blockers with pure strength and explosiveness when his feet are right. He is strong enough in his lower half to play through contact and cause stress in the pocket. Shows quick, strong hands in pass rush situations and is able to attack with technique.
In The Mix: Miami, Penn State, Ohio State, Bama, and Arizona State.
Latest: It cannot be understated: Harrison-Hunte cancelling his Bama official visit to instead OV to Miami for a second time this upcoming weekend is major. Technically, Harriston-Hunte could still visit Bama or elsewhere the final weekend of recruiting, but what an effort by the staff here and they now have the Canes in a good position to pull Harrison-Hunte from way up north. The prime competition has always been Penn State, but Surge19 members and fellow New Yorkers Jason Blissett and Adam ElGammal are constantly in Harrison-Hunte’s ear to get him to the U. Penn State is probably still the slight favorite, but depending on how his OV this weekend goes, Harrison-Hunte could be UM’s to lose.
8. Martin Emerson, S, Pensacola, FL (Pine Forest) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 185 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #989 Overall
Evaluation: Top end speed and ball skills are lacking, but he makes up for it with an intriguing blend of athleticism, length, and instinct. Has good field awareness and always seems to anticipate and react quickly to make a play.
In The Mix: The Mississippi State commit is also considering Oregon along with UM.
Latest: Like Washington and Harrison-Hunte, Emerson also plans to take his second OV to UM, scheduled for this weekend. The difference is that the Crystal Ball’s started rolling in for the Canes shortly after, and momentum seems to be on the Canes’ side right now in what before seemed like a 50-50 battle with Mississippi State. Emerson also officially visited Oregon last weekend, but he is likely not a take for the Ducks as of now. UM is definitely in a good spot here, and we’ll have to see what rumblings come out after his OV.
9. George Pickens, WR, Hoover, AL (Hoover) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-5 | Wt 190 | 247 Composite: 5-Star, #24 Overall
Evaluation: With Pickens, it’s all about his 6’5” frame and how easy he makes it look out there to run with that build. He played like a man possessed when I saw him out at the Opening Finals in July, as Pickens is very fluid and used that frame to make himself the Opening’s top red-zone target, grabbing a whopping 9 touchdowns over the two days.
In The Mix: The Auburn commit is also taking a look at schools like Miami, LSU, and Georgia.
Latest: I’ll keep this short because, until proven otherwise, Pickens has to be considered a longshot to end up signing with UM. If Pickens had already visited UM or had set plans to see campus, he’d be much higher on this board. That is not the case; however, he still has both of the final weekends open to potentially see Miami. This is the type of scenario where you just get him on campus and see what happens, but I’d have to hear something really strong to pick UM here. (UPDATE: Pickens has decided to come to UM this weekend on an OV).
10. Eugene Asante, LB, Chantily, VA (Westfield) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 210 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #283 Overall
Evaluation: On film, Asante shows traits of an explosive, quick-twitch athlete. He has great flexibility with loose hips to turn, twist, and chase, adding excellent reactive quickness and change-of-direction agility. As a dynamic playmaker in space, Asante locks onto targets and instantly accelerates to the ball.
In The Mix: FSU, VT, UNC, UCLA, and Miami are all involved with Asante.
Latest: As I mentioned earlier this week, Asante is the main priority for the Canes’ final spot at LB. Even though UM wants him badly and have sent coaches to see him up in Virginia, as of now things aren’t looking great for Miami’s chances since he isn’t planning an OV to Coral Gables. Asante has set his final two official visits to FSU and UNC, respectively, so the Canes would have to get him to drop one of those at the last minute or convince him to take a mid-week OV next week to really have a shot here.
11. OC Brothers, LB, Southwest Brevard County, FL (Rockledge) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 210 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #2090 Overall
Evaluation: He reads and reacts to plays quickly and takes good angles when pursuing the football. Extremely physical and wraps up well as a tackler. Brothers quickly erases holes created up front and is able to fire downhill to make the stop.
In The Mix: Auburn, UNC, and Miami make up Brothers’ top 3.
Latest: Brothers recently narrowed down his choices to a final 3 of Auburn, UNC, and Miami, and he will take his final visit of the process to UM on Feb. 1st weekend. While UM prefers Asante, UM has always felt better on their chances to ultimately land Brothers, and he is saying the right things to make the staff believe he’ll be a Cane in the end. As always, his visit will really tell the story, and having him on campus just before the dead period will be a slight boost to UM’s chances.
12. Kaiir Elam, CB, North Palm Beach, FL (The Benjamin School) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 180 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #48 Overall
Evaluation: Elam looks like a star in the making and he is very physically impressive up close after seeing him at multiple camps. He has next-level instincts, and displays great hip-flip when running with receivers. He uses his size well in press coverage to jam receivers off the line and adds to that elite speed. He is the complete package at corner.
In The Mix: Elam is considering Miami, Florida, UGA, and Colorado at the moment.
Latest: While there was some positive buzz on Elam after his UM official back in December, that has mostly died off as time has gone on. It’s hard to see him ending up at Miami at this point, as the Gators and Bulldogs seem to be far in front here. Elam plans to see Colorado this weekend, but has left the final weekend before signing day open. If UM can convince him to come back for a second OV, their chances would certainly go way up to land Elam.
13. TJ Jones, WR, Lake City, FL (Columbia) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-1 | Wt 185 | 247 Composite: 3-Star, #581 Overall
Evaluation: Jones is a bit of a swiss army knife, in that he does many things well, but nothing great. Still, he has that old school game that coaches love: he’s a good route runner, catches the ball away from his body, is a willing blocker, and can make tacklers miss when he gets the ball in space.
In The Mix: Texas A&M, Penn State, and Indiana.
Latest: Even after the offensive staff was gutted, Jones had been keeping in touch with the remaining UM staff in the interim while Diaz brought on his new coaches. However, since Enos and new WR coach Taylor Stubblefield were hired, Jones has not been in touch with either to the best of my knowledge. Without any contact or plans to officially visit UM, it is not looking likely that he will end up in this class, but perhaps Miami gets back in touch after losing Marquez Ezzard to the portal.
14. Ja’Darien Boykin, DE, Gray, GA (Jones County) (Last: NR)
Ht 6-2 | Wt 235 | 247 Composite: 4-Star, #320 Overall
Evaluation: Shows serious skill as a pass rusher and his quick feet make him great at changing direction. Relentless motor on the field and rarely takes snaps off. Has good closing burst to the sidelines to keep contain. His height will always limit his upside, but offensive linemen find it hard to wash him out of plays and he gets off blocks well to make stops.
In The Mix: Louisville and…?
Latest: Since I had some extra space on the board, I decided to include Boykin since he just took an official to Coral Gables, but unless something changes in the next week and a half, Boykin will not be a Cane. For those that missed it, UM recently told Boykin they did not have room for him in the class, so it would really take a big (and quick) change of heart on Miami’s part for him to sign with UM… and that’s assuming the relationship isn’t already soured beyond repair.
15. N/A
Falling Off
2. Jadon Haselwood, WR: signed with OU.
4. Lloyd Summerall, DE: signed with UF.
5. Jalen Wydermyer, TE: signed with TAMU.
6. Tyrique Stevenson, S: signed with UGA.
7. Evan Neal, OT: signed with Bama.
9. Keon Zipperer, TE: signed with UF.
10. Quashon Fuller, DT: no longer considering Miami.
11. DJ Williams, RB: signed with Auburn.
12. Justin Eboigbe, DE: signed with Bama.
13. Cornelius Nunn, S: signed with Syracuse.
14. Akeem Dent, CB: signed with FSU.
15. Jordan Battle, S: signed with Bama.
