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My take from yesterday's practice
- Thread starter umfire
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Great to hear he's still kicking. I started on his board in ~96 but haven't checked it out in about 5 years
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Can you link me? Last one I see on the board is for the class of 2013, titled "Clearing Skies".
FYI,
Here is Shadow's write up regarding this past recruiting class:
The Canes of 2013 resembled what most new head coaches inherit, a depth chart lacking in quality and a key injury away from a complete change in the team’s identity…and that’s three years in to a new regime. Under normal circumstances that would indicate an issue, but in Coral Gables finally the feeling of moving forward is upon us. Miami received manageable sanctions after a drawn out NCAA investigation, won 9 games including a win against healthy Univ of Florida and a win in primetime at Chapel Hill from behind with keys plays made late by the offense and defense (ie. a win Miami fans haven’t seen in a decade). And the Class of 2014, one that needed to be heavy on defense, moves the program forward still with a wave of talent…
QB – In ’13, Miami signed their best quarterback recruit in a decade and put a redshirt on ‘em. In ’14, Coach Coley brought in another version (great feel for the game, accuracy, etc) with a better arm in Brad Kaaya. At the most important position on the field, Miami now has two youngsters for a bona fide best man wins competition between a kid from Jersey and a kid from California..yes, Class of 2014 not 1989. And quietly, Miami added another name to the depth chart in Malik Rosier that has the stature, arm strength, quickness, athleticism and toughness with the potential to be a steal out of Alabama down the road.
RB – At a violent position where Miami lacks quality depth and had a number of local options, only one back is a disappointment. However, the one they signed Joseph Yearby is as talented as any South Florida had to offer with a natural feel for the position, tremendous ability to cut in traffic and plus acceleration. Once Yearby recovers from a late season injury, the threat of the big play in the backfield will no longer leave the field with Duke Johnson.
WR – Miami signed a #1 last year in Coley, and Travis Rudolph from Palm Beach is the one that got away this year but if not for academics and an early verbal, Trayone Gray, an NFL 1st Day talent, would have had the same place among the best receivers in the state/country. Gray carried his high school in the playoffs with a solid frame with plus, plus speed and acceleration. Darrell Langham has all the tools in a long frame to explode in college, and be the sleeper of the class. Some guys drip athleticism that tempt scouts, and some guys are just football players…Braxton Berrios doesn’t have the prototype frame but has proven in camps, in games, in all-star competitions to be a tough, tough cover out of the slot. Tyre Brady might be the wildcard with size and above-average speed but he hasn’t focused to put it all together yet.
TE – After signing two bigger tight ends last year, Miami targeted more athleticism from the position this year with Chris Herndon and David Njoku. Neither will bring back memories of Shockey, but Njoku brings a long frame, plus vertical and the ability to attack the seam whereas Herndon appears to have the thicker frame to develop to the classic tight end (or what many thought Asante Cleveland would turn in to). With the return of Walford, Sandland and Dobard, after some lean years at the spot, the numbers are there to afford Miami the opportunity to redshirt and physically develop these two.
OL – Kc McDermott verbaled early, never blinked at another program, enrolled early and thus, was forgotten. And of course, McDermott happens to be the most talented kid in the class that could excel at any spot on the line, including LT, and wouldn’t be a surprised to see significant time opposite Flowers this season. And yet, Trevor Darling has the potential to be his equal, even if its as a pounding run-blocking guard opposite last year’s version in Alex Gall. Nick Linder is an underappreciated kid brought in to play an underappreciated position. He may not have the size/power often sought after but is a polished lineman with the IQ often desired here that can surprise with his ability to travel to the second level and make blocks. The argument exists for more numbers but Miami has done well of late landing impressive kids inside and out along the offensive line.
DE – THE biggest issue with the Miami defense has been an utter lack of pass rush, and without question that was the focus of this year’s haul and it starts with Chad Thomas, who over the course of the season, proved to be the best recruit over three years of incredible Booker T teams and THE premier rush End in the nation. Thomas is a first round talent, with the ability to rush the passer, defend the run, drop in space and even take on multiple blockers. Easily one of the more underrated recruits in this class, early enrollee Trent Harris comes with an incredible first step and the frame/versatility to play with his hand down or in space with a ceiling to be comparable to Olivier Vernon and Courtney Upshaw. Everyone’s favorite projection is Demetrius Jackson, who is new to the game and needs coaching/weight training to be a high-risk/high-reward type but does have the frame and quickness to develop into a kid that has NFL attention.
DT – Miami turned to a 5th-year transfer to plug a hole, and with Renfrow and Porter now gone, junior college transfer Michael Wyche was a critical piece to the 2014 defense. Wyche is a wide-body that will bring big time strength. The other plug-n-play is Calvin Huertelou, who is a natural 3-Tech with quickness off the ball that will likely see snaps alongside Pierre and Kamalu immediately. Miami was on very early and Anthony Moten was arguably South Florida’s best defensive line this year, and is an ideal fit for Miami’s scheme with the ability to play a big End spot or rotate inside and push the pocket/defend the run. The long term impact and success of this defensive line class may fall to Courtel Jenkins who was plucked early from Jersey to take over the 0-Tech and 1-Tech position and turned down late runs by Ohio State and Alabama. It may not be in 2014 (and hopefully, Miami will be able to ‘shirt one of them given the numbers), but the Jenkins/Moten combination has the potential to end the nightmares on the interior of the defensive line.
LB – If there was a kid overlooked in this class, its early enrollee Juwon Young, who came down to camp and looked every bit the downhill pass rushing, beat blockers, flow to the ball terror. Young plays tall in space and that may make him an inside linebacker unlike his counterpart Darrion Owens, who is as fluid a linebacker as Miami has seen in some time with the ability to blitz, close and drop in coverage. In terms of football ability Mike Smith is more pass rushing End but more linebacker in terms of size and therefore is likely to develop into a situational player…but for a defense looking for pass rushing skills, Smith should be an answer. Terry McCray is a nice ‘backer with a frame to build on that brings plus blitz speed to the position.
DB – Of late, Miami has built up a stable of young corners making Kiy Hester a critical compliment at the safety spot. Hester plays aggressive with plus closing speed and the desire to come up and attack in run defense. Marques Gayot brings backs memories of Al Blades, bringing the potential to be a linebacker/safety mix of a big hitter that can handle coverage responsibility. Ryan Mayes comes in as the lanky, long corner project that comes with the athletic ability but has yet to translate to the pads.
Overall, the season may have ended on a down note but the NCAA nonsense ended, Miami improved the on-field product and despite key injuries won nine games and now capped the campaign with the arguably the best class on paper in a decade. Miami faced some off-field issues and missed out on some local talent (Cook, Michel, Rudolph, Jackson) but recruiting is about who you sign and the offense brings Kaaya, Yearby, McDermott, Darling and (potentially) Gray, but more importantly the defense brings Thomas, Harris, Moten, Jenkins, Young, Owens, and Hester to go along with quality South Florida “project” takes in Jackson, Langham, Brady and Smith. The 2014 Class resembles the type of class that Miami should be stacking, add this group to ‘12/’13 and the next step is continued on-field progress…
Here is Shadow's write up regarding this past recruiting class:
The Canes of 2013 resembled what most new head coaches inherit, a depth chart lacking in quality and a key injury away from a complete change in the team’s identity…and that’s three years in to a new regime. Under normal circumstances that would indicate an issue, but in Coral Gables finally the feeling of moving forward is upon us. Miami received manageable sanctions after a drawn out NCAA investigation, won 9 games including a win against healthy Univ of Florida and a win in primetime at Chapel Hill from behind with keys plays made late by the offense and defense (ie. a win Miami fans haven’t seen in a decade). And the Class of 2014, one that needed to be heavy on defense, moves the program forward still with a wave of talent…
QB – In ’13, Miami signed their best quarterback recruit in a decade and put a redshirt on ‘em. In ’14, Coach Coley brought in another version (great feel for the game, accuracy, etc) with a better arm in Brad Kaaya. At the most important position on the field, Miami now has two youngsters for a bona fide best man wins competition between a kid from Jersey and a kid from California..yes, Class of 2014 not 1989. And quietly, Miami added another name to the depth chart in Malik Rosier that has the stature, arm strength, quickness, athleticism and toughness with the potential to be a steal out of Alabama down the road.
RB – At a violent position where Miami lacks quality depth and had a number of local options, only one back is a disappointment. However, the one they signed Joseph Yearby is as talented as any South Florida had to offer with a natural feel for the position, tremendous ability to cut in traffic and plus acceleration. Once Yearby recovers from a late season injury, the threat of the big play in the backfield will no longer leave the field with Duke Johnson.
WR – Miami signed a #1 last year in Coley, and Travis Rudolph from Palm Beach is the one that got away this year but if not for academics and an early verbal, Trayone Gray, an NFL 1st Day talent, would have had the same place among the best receivers in the state/country. Gray carried his high school in the playoffs with a solid frame with plus, plus speed and acceleration. Darrell Langham has all the tools in a long frame to explode in college, and be the sleeper of the class. Some guys drip athleticism that tempt scouts, and some guys are just football players…Braxton Berrios doesn’t have the prototype frame but has proven in camps, in games, in all-star competitions to be a tough, tough cover out of the slot. Tyre Brady might be the wildcard with size and above-average speed but he hasn’t focused to put it all together yet.
TE – After signing two bigger tight ends last year, Miami targeted more athleticism from the position this year with Chris Herndon and David Njoku. Neither will bring back memories of Shockey, but Njoku brings a long frame, plus vertical and the ability to attack the seam whereas Herndon appears to have the thicker frame to develop to the classic tight end (or what many thought Asante Cleveland would turn in to). With the return of Walford, Sandland and Dobard, after some lean years at the spot, the numbers are there to afford Miami the opportunity to redshirt and physically develop these two.
OL – Kc McDermott verbaled early, never blinked at another program, enrolled early and thus, was forgotten. And of course, McDermott happens to be the most talented kid in the class that could excel at any spot on the line, including LT, and wouldn’t be a surprised to see significant time opposite Flowers this season. And yet, Trevor Darling has the potential to be his equal, even if its as a pounding run-blocking guard opposite last year’s version in Alex Gall. Nick Linder is an underappreciated kid brought in to play an underappreciated position. He may not have the size/power often sought after but is a polished lineman with the IQ often desired here that can surprise with his ability to travel to the second level and make blocks. The argument exists for more numbers but Miami has done well of late landing impressive kids inside and out along the offensive line.
DE – THE biggest issue with the Miami defense has been an utter lack of pass rush, and without question that was the focus of this year’s haul and it starts with Chad Thomas, who over the course of the season, proved to be the best recruit over three years of incredible Booker T teams and THE premier rush End in the nation. Thomas is a first round talent, with the ability to rush the passer, defend the run, drop in space and even take on multiple blockers. Easily one of the more underrated recruits in this class, early enrollee Trent Harris comes with an incredible first step and the frame/versatility to play with his hand down or in space with a ceiling to be comparable to Olivier Vernon and Courtney Upshaw. Everyone’s favorite projection is Demetrius Jackson, who is new to the game and needs coaching/weight training to be a high-risk/high-reward type but does have the frame and quickness to develop into a kid that has NFL attention.
DT – Miami turned to a 5th-year transfer to plug a hole, and with Renfrow and Porter now gone, junior college transfer Michael Wyche was a critical piece to the 2014 defense. Wyche is a wide-body that will bring big time strength. The other plug-n-play is Calvin Huertelou, who is a natural 3-Tech with quickness off the ball that will likely see snaps alongside Pierre and Kamalu immediately. Miami was on very early and Anthony Moten was arguably South Florida’s best defensive line this year, and is an ideal fit for Miami’s scheme with the ability to play a big End spot or rotate inside and push the pocket/defend the run. The long term impact and success of this defensive line class may fall to Courtel Jenkins who was plucked early from Jersey to take over the 0-Tech and 1-Tech position and turned down late runs by Ohio State and Alabama. It may not be in 2014 (and hopefully, Miami will be able to ‘shirt one of them given the numbers), but the Jenkins/Moten combination has the potential to end the nightmares on the interior of the defensive line.
LB – If there was a kid overlooked in this class, its early enrollee Juwon Young, who came down to camp and looked every bit the downhill pass rushing, beat blockers, flow to the ball terror. Young plays tall in space and that may make him an inside linebacker unlike his counterpart Darrion Owens, who is as fluid a linebacker as Miami has seen in some time with the ability to blitz, close and drop in coverage. In terms of football ability Mike Smith is more pass rushing End but more linebacker in terms of size and therefore is likely to develop into a situational player…but for a defense looking for pass rushing skills, Smith should be an answer. Terry McCray is a nice ‘backer with a frame to build on that brings plus blitz speed to the position.
DB – Of late, Miami has built up a stable of young corners making Kiy Hester a critical compliment at the safety spot. Hester plays aggressive with plus closing speed and the desire to come up and attack in run defense. Marques Gayot brings backs memories of Al Blades, bringing the potential to be a linebacker/safety mix of a big hitter that can handle coverage responsibility. Ryan Mayes comes in as the lanky, long corner project that comes with the athletic ability but has yet to translate to the pads.
Overall, the season may have ended on a down note but the NCAA nonsense ended, Miami improved the on-field product and despite key injuries won nine games and now capped the campaign with the arguably the best class on paper in a decade. Miami faced some off-field issues and missed out on some local talent (Cook, Michel, Rudolph, Jackson) but recruiting is about who you sign and the offense brings Kaaya, Yearby, McDermott, Darling and (potentially) Gray, but more importantly the defense brings Thomas, Harris, Moten, Jenkins, Young, Owens, and Hester to go along with quality South Florida “project” takes in Jackson, Langham, Brady and Smith. The 2014 Class resembles the type of class that Miami should be stacking, add this group to ‘12/’13 and the next step is continued on-field progress…
Gardenstatecane
Recruit
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2012
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PM Shadow or one of the Mods. There have been many new additions lately in order to expand the talk on the private board.
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UMFire, Pete and Dmoney has cleaned this place in the past month or so, still not like Shadow's board yet. However, would be nice to have multiple places to have good decisions about our team!!! I don't like everything that went on, but we have somethings happening in our favor that one has not seen in almost a decade. This ride could be fun, like the past.
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- Nov 3, 2011
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It would appear so, doesn't seem to have a lot of fight in him.
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