I believe there's a balance you have to weigh in this situation. The high ranking class is good for optics. At the end of the day recruiting high school or portal is selling your program. Having a high ranking class helps that with building positive momentum and giving you something to point to. Obviously Mario can't point to the on field production yet because his classes haven't translated to that yet. The biggest improvement that can be made is they need to hit on their evaluations better. However, this isn't an isolated issue with just Miami. It's happening at all programs where high ranking players are moving on. Regardless you can't ignore HS recruiting as that is the foundation. For every missed evaluation there are still good ones that have become productive players on this team. Here is a breakdown of players recruited that have produced and looked to be decent players potentially.
2022
Wesley Bissainthe - Starting LB, looks to have finally taken a step
Isaiah Horton - Starting WR, Played last year, still developing.
Jaden Harris - Starting S, played in Kinchens absence last year.
Matthew McCoy - battling for starting LG, has showed flashes
Colbie Young - Was starting WR and doing well now at UGA
Anez Cooper - Starting RG, One of the best in the country.
2023
Francis Mauigoa - Starting RT, Freshman All Conference
Ruben Bain - Starting DE, Freshman All Conference
Mark Fletcher - Starting RB last year, injured but looked like a stud
Ray Ray Joseph - Has shown flashes, unfortunately buried behind X on depth chart
Riley Williams - Has shown flashes, played decent last year.
Damari Brown - Starting CB, took spot late last year
Raul Aguirre - Backup LB, developing well
Tommy Kinsler - Backup OL, played some last year
Emory Williams - Backup QB, started last year, still developing.
Marcellius Pulliam - Backup LB, developing well
2024
Marquise Lightfoot - Showed potential in Spring
Joshisa Trader - Already moved up depth chart in Spring
Ny Carr - Showed potential in Spring
Elija Lofton - Showed massive potential Spring. Early returns positive
Markel Bell - Backup OL, positive early returns.
Cam Pruitt - Showed massive potential Spring. Possibly starting role
Cole McConathy - Showed massive potential Spring. Challenging for PT already
The portal has definitely changed the landscape of the sport where players have to display elite traits early or they'll be replaced which is what I believe happened in the Wayne situation. Other freshman DE's came in and performed at a higher level and passed him on the depth chart. To be honest we should be looking at this as blessing that we no longer have to hold on to mediocre depth taking up a roster spot and are able to upgrade the roster so iron sharpens iron. It will only raise the bar of the team overall.