Calvin Russell III (c/o ‘26)

[Yoyo423]

He wasn't a target.

We can pretend like he was.

 

[htownkidd]

Not that I believed it, but he was basically a lock earlier in this thread back in the summer. What changed?

 

[DC3]

I’ve seen this movie before.
We will get one or two of them.
Someone else will get the best one. We talk about recruiting rules that Mario needs to break. He hasn’t landed the all American first round possible future hall of famer that kills it and takes everyone’s job after the first practice, then stamps his name in the nfl.
Bain appears to be the exception. Hopefully he had a sophomore slump or was injured. But we better stop missing evaluations or stop “not wanting to overpay” for talents like Picket or JSmith.

Bain isn’t like those a JSmith or even Francis because he doesn’t have the measurables. With his slump last year will need a massive season for him to be a day 2 pick, let alone 1st rounder. He’s a tweener/ 5 tech in the NFL.

 

[skeeter]

Not that I believed it, but he was basically a lock earlier in this thread back in the summer. What changed?

I wouldn't read too much into this…Natural course of progression recruiting a South Florida stud. Family is canes/has a relative that did this or that…Frosh/Soph year, UM is on him VERY early, takes some pics in all canes gear, tells the world he loves UM and getting that offer means so much and how his family is all Canes

But then by junior season it is hard not to listen to let alone say no to…OSU/BAMA/GA, etc. (And this is even before NIL and what OSU is going to throw at him)

 

[DC3]

So now our "elite recruiter" is dropping the ball on a top 2 player in the state and top 15 player in the country in our own backyard?

When was the last time Maimi’s signed the best player in SFL?

 

[cway313]

Not that I believed it, but he was basically a lock earlier in this thread back in the summer. What changed?

Dennis Smiff is the gatekeeper. Apparently he gives Mario the greenlight.

 

[pacusmc]

Bain isn’t like those a JSmith or even Francis because he doesn’t have the measurables. With his slump last year will need a massive season for him to be a day 2 pick, let alone 1st rounder. He’s a tweener/ 5 tech in the NFL.

I’m not gonna agree with that assessment. Measurables are great and all but he was ridiculous as a freshman. You don’t need to be 6’5 to dominate. If he’s a transcendent talent he’s plenty big enough.

 

[Yoyo423]

When was the last time Maimi’s signed the best player in SFL?

2023. Reuben Bain. Wasn't the highest rated player but by far the best player.

 

[E1k]

It is important. But as with anything, it can be overcome with sub-par recruiting. I'm simply addressing your "holds very little water" comment, which isn't true.

And I've said it before, Smiff needs to be reassigned.

**** i was hoping he wasn’t really as big if a problem as people were saying

 

[skeeter]

Dia Bell is technically currently the highest rated kid in the state and he's going to Texas so there's Mario's loss.

South Florida has a ton of the top talent in the state next year..Mario needs to do what he was brought in for. At least 6-8 of the top 20 kids in the state need to be in our class. All top 100 kids.

I don't think there's any way in Raja Bell should be the highest ranked kid in the state lol

 

[E1k]

I remember year1 people were saying dennis is like mario right hand man, i didn’t think much of it then..i just thought he needed someone he could trust in a new environment i didn’t think he would have this much control to mess up recruitments

 

[grover]

Yes.

He is elite sometimes. He is also inconsistent, overworked, makes mistakes, and has a temper.

Mario needs to revamp the org chart.

@TheOriginalCane, I assume you're talking about Mario? Seriously, my #1 concern when we hired him as HC was that he would have a heart attack the way he works.

No surprise he's got a temper, that's genetic. The problem is he probably doesn't manage it well because he's exhausted all the time. The guy needs to be strongly "encouraged" to delegate more. And Smith needs to be rotated out. The dude's schtick is so goofy it's cringe-worthy. Mario has got to know better recruiters than him.

 

[grover]

I don't think there's any way in **** Bell should be the highest ranked kid in the state lol

Especially since he wasn't even the best QB on his team.

 

[grover]

I remember year1 people were saying dennis is like mario right hand man, i didn’t think much of it then..i just thought he needed someone he could trust in a new environment i didn’t think he would have this much control to mess up recruitments

Even if he's his right hand man, there are other roles that Smith can do which are of equal value. Rotate the guy. Every org in the world moved leadership around.

 

[passitback]

If he's the top dawg in South Florida I have zero faith we land him.

 

[CT Cane 44]

I’m prepared to be hurt again with a south florida receiver who’s mom is a former Cane in our back yard and who we need!

 

[Memnon]

 

[TheOriginalCane]

@TheOriginalCane, I assume you're talking about Mario? Seriously, my #1 concern when we hired him as HC was that he would have a heart attack the way he works.

No surprise he's got a temper, that's genetic. The problem is he probably doesn't manage it well because he's exhausted all the time. The guy needs to be strongly "encouraged" to delegate more. And Smith needs to be rotated out. The dude's schtick is so goofy it's cringe-worthy. Mario has got to know better recruiters than him.

Sorry, was talking about Dennis Smith.

 

[Fluffhead]

Yes.

He is elite sometimes. He is also inconsistent, overworked, makes mistakes, and has a temper.

Mario needs to revamp the org chart.

Smith is going to be his D’Onofrio. Hopefully someone talks some sense into him soon.

 

[grover]

Sorry, was talking about Dennis Smith.

Gotcha. All the more reason to rotate the guy. Sounds like he's important to the org so find something else for him to do for a change. Most people get burnt out even if they love their work The grind wears everyone out at some point. Need fresh perspectives.