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OL JJ Sparks commits to Canes

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JHallCanes said:
Let’s chill out with this stuff please

In 2022 we got Cooper and McCoy. Coop obviously from day 1 has been much better than his ranking. McCoy seems to have potential but we will see if he takes the step this year

2023

Mauigoa: elite
Samson: ?
Tripp: gone
Kinsler: ?
Tinilau: gone

2024

Bell: starter
Plazz: ?
Minaya: ?
Nino: ?

I think they are great coaches and recruiters but let’s chill with this whole “there’s no questioning the staff on OL” stuff I’m not seeing where this urban legend is coming from yet

I’m not questioning this kid because I don’t know enough about him or OL but to say fans should never question anything about OL is too much
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Very fair. In the end, we’ll always get it right (portal will always be leveraged) and the OL will be a strength for the team so long as Mario is here.

However, there have been plenty of misses on the trail for higher end guys and jury is out on guys we raved over when they signed: Samson and Kinsler specifically. There’s time but year three is when they should flash and I don’t see it happening.
 

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CANESCANES said:
I’ll add Cooper was being recruited as a DL, and Cooper told Mario he wanted to play right guard
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I did not know that thanks for that

OL takes time so I’m not writing anyone off really but in 2024 we were told we couldn’t land any big recruits because of the elite 2023 class and “playing time”

Well so far the only one that has played meaningful minutes is Mauigoa

Can’t be both
 
Kansas Cane said:
Very fair. In the end, we’ll always get it right (portal will always be leveraged) and the OL will be a strength for the team so long as Mario is here.

However, there have been plenty of misses on the trail for higher end guys and jury is out on guys we raved over when they signed: Samson and Kinsler specifically. There’s time but year three is when they should flash and I don’t see it happening.
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100% the OL went from a disaster year in year out to a strength

No complaints at all from me as far as results. One thing I like is we don’t really recruit these projects that are glorified TEs trying to get them to gain 150 lbs to play OT anymore. Even the “projects” we bring in are 6-5 300lbs in high school
 
JHallCanes said:
Let’s chill out with this stuff please

In 2022 we got Cooper and McCoy. Coop obviously from day 1 has been much better than his ranking. McCoy seems to have potential but we will see if he takes the step this year

2023

Mauigoa: elite
Samson: ?
Tripp: gone
Kinsler: ?
Tinilau: gone

2024

Bell: starter
Plazz: ?
Minaya: ?
Nino: ?

I think they are great coaches and recruiters but let’s chill with this whole “there’s no questioning the staff on OL” stuff I’m not seeing where this urban legend is coming from yet

I’m not questioning this kid because I don’t know enough about him or OL but to say fans should never question anything about OL is too much
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Always room for questions, even at OL.

****, even with the OL transfers, where Mario/Mirabal have done very well, the only two misses are the guys they signed out of high school and brought from Oregon, Denis and Sagapolu.
 
No_Fly_Zone said:
Always room for questions, even at OL.

****, even with the OL transfers, where Mario/Mirabal have done very well, the only two misses are the guys they signed out of high school and brought from Oregon, Denis and Sagapolu.
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I just don’t personally say anything because I’m still waiting for Alex Gall to be an all American

Doesn’t mean no one can say anything though
 
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JHallCanes said:
Let’s chill out with this stuff please

In 2022 we got Cooper and McCoy. Coop obviously from day 1 has been much better than his ranking. McCoy seems to have potential but we will see if he takes the step this year

2023

Mauigoa: elite
Samson: ?
Tripp: gone
Kinsler: ?
Tinilau: gone

2024

Bell: starter
Plazz: ?
Minaya: ?
Nino: ?

I think they are great coaches and recruiters but let’s chill with this whole “there’s no questioning the staff on OL” stuff I’m not seeing where this urban legend is coming from yet

I’m not questioning this kid because I don’t know enough about him or OL but to say fans should never question anything about OL is too much
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Good luck on your journey.
 
AtlAtty said:
Out of general curiosity, how many of our CIS posters have ever played Oline at the high school level or beyond, or have coached Oline?

I find it hard to believe that everyone who has offered an opinion knows enough about how high school Oline translates to into college Oline to have an opinion, good or bad. In fact, I would venture to say most of the people offering opinions really don’t have a clue how to evaluate the skills and physical attributes needed for a college Olineman.

Which leads to my next question. If you don’t have knowledge or expertise, then what are you basing your opinion on?
Answer; rankings, and how much other people on CIS have discussed a player and said they like or want that player in this recruiting class.

Remind me never to accept investment advice from the majority of you. You would tell me to buy a stock because you heard some guys talking it up, or because Motley Fool gave it a high rating. And in both cases, Oline and stocks, you would be providing an uneducated, uniformed opinion.

Personally, I don’t know if this young man will be any good. And as a result I am offering NO OPINION. Consider doing the same when you don’t know anything.
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CIS -- Buy MSPRW!!!!!!!
 
frostycane said:
By the looks of this kid there’s ZERO doubt he has an IEP! I’m in! Moar goons!
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Well, this guy was one of the smartest human beings in history, so I try not to go on looks.

Hawking.jpg
 
It's April. We just landed a first-team All State from Bolles that Mirabal likes. Our OL is top three in the country. We have a first rounder on one side and a Day 1/2er on the other. And yet we find reason to ***** about the pickup. CIS gonna CIS.

Let's worry about the OL class when it's complete, after we see who else has committed. It's the only position group that I don't even bother looking at recruits' HUDL any more because I know Mirabal and Mario are the best in the business at.
 
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AtlAtty said:
Out of general curiosity, how many of our CIS posters have ever played Oline at the high school level or beyond, or have coached Oline?

I find it hard to believe that everyone who has offered an opinion knows enough about how high school Oline translates to into college Oline to have an opinion, good or bad. In fact, I would venture to say most of the people offering opinions really don’t have a clue how to evaluate the skills and physical attributes needed for a college Olineman.

Which leads to my next question. If you don’t have knowledge or expertise, then what are you basing your opinion on?
Answer; rankings, and how much other people on CIS have discussed a player and said they like or want that player in this recruiting class.

Remind me never to accept investment advice from the majority of you. You would tell me to buy a stock because you heard some guys talking it up, or because Motley Fool gave it a high rating. And in both cases, Oline and stocks, you would be providing an uneducated, uniformed opinion.

Personally, I don’t know if this young man will be any good. And as a result I am offering NO OPINION. Consider doing the same when you don’t know anything.
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SSDD. Couch potato keyboard warriors making evals at any position is suspect at best. I’ll trust the paid professionals with a proven track record of developing exceptional OL.
 
DMoney said:
Miami secured its center of the future with the commitment of Jacksonville (Bolles) OL JJ Sparks.



The 6’3.5, 300-pounder chose the Canes after visiting Coral Gables this past weekend with his family. He’s previously visited Florida State.

The staff prioritized Sparks after seeing him on the road in January. Coach Mirabal values his nastiness, twitch and IQ at the center position.

Sparks, who has started since his freshman year at the North Florida powerhouse, is a big body who plays with an edge and shows good foot quickness to mirror and in open space.

He joins QB Dereon Coleman, RB Javian Mallory, OL Ben Congdon, OL Joel Ervin, CB Camdin Portis, CB Jaelen Waters, and LB Jordan Campbell in Miami’s 2026 class.



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D was this the main center of the future we were prioritizing because I remember hearing on one of your podcast that there was another center from out of state that we were looking at. But was this the main guy?
 
JHallCanes said:
Let’s chill out with this stuff please

In 2022 we got Cooper and McCoy. Coop obviously from day 1 has been much better than his ranking. McCoy seems to have potential but we will see if he takes the step this year

2023

Mauigoa: elite
Samson: ?
Tripp: gone
Kinsler: ?
Tinilau: gone

2024

Bell: starter
Plazz: ?
Minaya: ?
Nino: ?

I think they are great coaches and recruiters but let’s chill with this whole “there’s no questioning the staff on OL” stuff I’m not seeing where this urban legend is coming from yet

I’m not questioning this kid because I don’t know enough about him or OL but to say fans should never question anything about OL is too much
Click to expand...

I don't think it's "there's no questioning the staff on OL". To me, it's more "I won't worry about the OL product on the field". Individual recruits? Sure, let's discuss. But come August, we're going to have a very good offensive line. That much I'm 100% confident on every single year with Mario and Mirabal here.

They've essentially had 2 real seasons, and the OL was way above average in both. I don't see that trend stopping.
 
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AtlAtty said:
Out of general curiosity, how many of our CIS posters have ever played Oline at the high school level or beyond, or have coached Oline?

I find it hard to believe that everyone who has offered an opinion knows enough about how high school Oline translates to into college Oline to have an opinion, good or bad. In fact, I would venture to say most of the people offering opinions really don’t have a clue how to evaluate the skills and physical attributes needed for a college Olineman.

Which leads to my next question. If you don’t have knowledge or expertise, then what are you basing your opinion on?
Answer; rankings, and how much other people on CIS have discussed a player and said they like or want that player in this recruiting class.

Remind me never to accept investment advice from the majority of you. You would tell me to buy a stock because you heard some guys talking it up, or because Motley Fool gave it a high rating. And in both cases, Oline and stocks, you would be providing an uneducated, uniformed opinion.

Personally, I don’t know if this young man will be any good. And as a result I am offering NO OPINION. Consider doing the same when you don’t know anything.
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I think this maybe a rhetorical question???
 
aelmiami said:
I think y’all are reading way too much into this. I’m sure he would’ve been a PWO last year. We are going to take a ton of OL every year. We are going to have to in order to have a competent scout team. If come Dec/Feb, he’s our only C commit I’ll start stressing. But April 2nd? I’m losing no sleep over this.
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I think I get what you are trying to say but in no year would a kid like this been a PWO.

4 year starter at HS powerhouse
Plus size (6’3+, 300lb)

With 20 extra scholarships starting once the House settlement gets approved, I have been advocating that Miami prioritize using the extra spots on big guys who take longer to develop and are harder to find in our footprint.

Miami can find a WR or RB or DB recruit from a South Florida HS and plug them into the lineup as true freshman if need be (not ideal of course). How often can they do that for OL?

With Napier and Norvell leading our rivals, Miami has a real chance to absolutely clean up and I hope Miami signs 7-8 OL this year and sets up the future for years to come.
 
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OrangeBowlMagic said:
I don't think it's "there's no questioning the staff on OL". To me, it's more "I won't worry about the OL product on the field". Individual recruits? Sure, let's discuss. But come August, we're going to have a very good offensive line. That much I'm 100% confident on every single year with Mario and Mirabal here.

They've essentially had 2 real seasons, and the OL was way above average in both. I don't see that trend stopping.
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No arguments here

It’s sort of akin to the whole “show me or shut up” vibe. Like alright maybe you have a point but same time it’s a discussion forum so wtf are we doing here then?
 
Watch his highlights. Fair analysis would be the following:

Positives
- Has descent feet (i.e., always moving);
- Good measurables;
- Always looking for work;
- Blocks until the whistle;
- Four year experience at a high level program;
- Good coaching development (likely means higher IQ player);
- Good knee bend; and
- Hand placement is usually inside;

Places of growth
- Doesn't bend at the hip level when in run blocking;
- Often takes a up/down step or bucket step at his first step in the run game;
- Too wide of a stance allow defenders to get a better get off; and
- Look stiff in the hips and back, so general flexibility

How I would perceive him?
I think he has a higher floor because he has been coached up, but I think has a limited ceiling.
I don't see massive growth here, but a 3* is where he should be.
He's a FCS starter in year 2, P4 3 year development.

The main reason for the above is he has been relatively well coached up but still missing things, like not splitting doubles when that's the guy you should be (in Zone schemes), he plays with high pad level in the run game, his pass pro sets he tends to put more weight on his heels.

He has to get out of a lot of basic habits and have confidence in his strength.
Yes, he plays to the whistle but he doesn't play aggressive off the snap, (i.e., isn't blowing up someone off the line) but that's mainly due to his footwork.

He'll be a LG or C here for sure.
Good prospect and I think with SJ on the roster, he'd be a great back up come his sophomore year and when SJ graduates he can step right in at OC.
 
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305to954 said:
Tough crowd.
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Is it really, though? This thread has more posts complaining about people complaining than it does posts complaining about the pick-up.

Most people were legitimately asking who this kid is and what his priority is as a recruit. Fair questions, considering we just offered him pretty recently, he's at a HS we don't get much traction with, and he's not among the (many) names at IOL that have recently been listed as possibilities.
 
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