What a long *** day. So I spent a little over 3 hours as Popes host today. Real cool kid. Laid back and seemed very humble. Told him I was a big Miami fan and followed recruiting pretty close, he was open to talking about whatever. So here are some of my take away's from the day.
The Miami group by seemed the most comfortable with each other. Had to wait forever at a media station so they could do some stuff with all the Miami kids, ohio st kids, bama and Clemson. Most kids just keeping to themselves on their phones, except the Miami group. Joking and laughing the entire time. You could tell the bond the group has already made together. Pope was rooming with Lingard. Joked Lingard is like Blades, won’t ever stop talking lol
To my surprise Pope said he seriously was considering Florida at one time. Said when Calloway left he really thought about it since early playing time was going to be a for sure thing. But the QB situation was just too bad. Always read on here Pope was 100% cane lock forever, so it was interesting to see the real interest he had in FL at one time.
Asked him about the heritage kids, said they were trying to get Campbell and if they got him they would be straight. He seemed confident about Campbell….. I asked about Surtain, he said ehhh I think he is headed to LSU.
Lingard…..the ambassador tag fits him well….all Miami everything with that kid. Joking non stop with other non committed kids that they wanted to go to Miami, inviting them to get into the all Miami pictures. Kid was hilarious.
Soon as we ran in Nesta Pope started joking that Nesta wasn’t going to Miami. Lingard joked about it as well. When the entire Miami group was together that was probably the most interesting interaction….them all joking and saying Nesta wasn’t really coming. I honestly wish I would have been able to get a better feel of the entire thing but I really couldn’t tell how much was joking and how much was serious. For what its worth when we walked away from the group I asked Pope if he really thought he wasn’t coming…….he just kind of laughed and said “I don’t know man, Nesta plays a lot.” Nesta made some interesting comments but not worth getting into because I didn’t know how much was serious or bs…don’t need everyone freaking out. Nesta was always with a Miami commit when I saw him and when they were giving him a hard time about not coming he always said he was. Could be nothing to it….but it was an interesting observation.
Jobe….I really don’t get the Bama commit. He was with the Miami kids the entire time. Even took a pic for a 247 and was jokingly throwing up the U with them. You could just tell how cool he was with the group, so its just a weird decision. I got the feeling pope and other players knew for a good while he wasn’t coming to Miami. Pope actually thought he was going to go to Michigan at one point. Never saw him with a bama commit, always around the Miami guys.
Hightower was real cool, said he was going straight to Miami to start school from the army game. He’s a big dude for a WR.
Talked to Pope about the QB situation….got the feeling Perry was his guy.
All in all it was a really cool experience, all the Miami kids were nice and down to earth. Nesta….not so much but I think that is just his demeanor. He wasn’t a jerk or anything, just not as open to talk as the others.
Non Miami thought……I could not get over how skinny Trevor Lawrence was…legit the skinniest dude I saw the entire day. Some kickers were thicker then him. Reminded me of FSU’s QB. No way that kid is ready to play right now, he’d get crushed.
But yeah…those were my thoughts, if you have a question let me know. Not trying to bring any breaking news, just thought id share my experience.
