Tackle recruiting

[DMoney]

I’ve mentioned in the past that Miami is looking at developmental tackles this year. One reason is that Francis and Samson are scaring away recruits that view themselves as Day 1 starters.

The other reason is that there aren’t many sure-thing tackles available. From 247’s National Recruiting Editor:



Mirabal is going to continue to look for high-upside body types and athletes. Aliens like Francis and Samson don’t come along every year, and we were fortunate to strike while the iron was hot.

 

[JHallCanes]

Yep. Pretty obvious this was going to be the case.

I really like what I see so far personally

 

[BoxingRobes]

As long as the interior players are big ticket items, I think we'd all be cool with that.

Just can't take a full class of developmental players. We've learned that hard lesson already.

 

[JHallCanes]

As long as the interior players are big ticket items, I think we'd all be cool with that.

Just can't take a full class of developmental players. We've learned that hard lesson already.

I see us after some guys that could develop into centers, the one question mark for the future with our line. But then you see us in the mix for guys like Ahfua and it’s like ah…we are gonna be good to go…finally on the OL

 

[gogeta4]

I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD RECRUIT


Kid had interest

 

[kccanefan]

Anez Cooper and McCoy when he finally gets healthy gives me hope that we'll be fine with OL evaluation and development. Cooper was arguably our best lineman the end of last year. Early reviews regarding McCoy is being a difference maker also.

 

[Ziggy]

It's a hard sell to recruits after signing he best offensive line class in the country. But we could definitely use some elite guards and a legit center. Also, in today's transfer portal era, all it takes is Samson or one of these top guys to leave and you're short at the position again. Not likely but you never know. I think Minaya, Ahfua (hopefully), and then another tackle and center prospect is the perfect haul for this year.

 

[Manfred_Cane]

Mario has said that he wants to be recruiting a year or two down the line. It's obvious they pushed for Samson and Francis to get into the last class cause they knew this class wasn't the same.

 

[NorthEastCane]

As long as the interior players are big ticket items, I think we'd all be cool with that.

Just can't take a full class of developmental players. We've learned that hard lesson already.

The problem was:

1. We took development guys with limited upside​

2. We did a poor job developing them​

3. We didn’t have any upper classmen to pitch in and contribute.​

End result = **** show!

 

[Page305]

These recruits must think we have the best line in the country because they **** sure ain't scared to compete at other schools

 

[Cookie917]

I’ve mentioned in the past that Miami is looking at developmental tackles this year. One reason is that Francis and Samson are scaring away recruits that view themselves as Day 1 starters.

The other reason is that there aren’t many sure-thing tackles available. From 247’s National Recruiting Editor:



Mirabal is going to continue to look for high-upside body types and athletes. Aliens like Francis and Samson don’t come along every year, and we were fortunate to strike while the iron was hot.

yeah I actually just posted this in the Flo thread about how this year is just a down year for OT and we were smart to put our chips into OL last year when there was a plethora of talent. This year, 6 guys at OT in the top 100, 1 5*, last year their were 6 5* OTs alone....

I assume this was done by design but my initial theory was Mario wanted to go big on OL first, focus NIL there as those guys usually take some time to gel and get their bodies right. As opposed to DL where I think edge guys can make an impact faster, DT's usually take some time but I would guess on average less than OL.

Looking at the rankings this year:

Top OT
Brandon Baker (Santa Ana, CA) #23 overall
Josiah Thompson (SC) #59 overall
Jac McRoy (AL) #60
Daniel Calhouh (GA) #70
Ben Warren (TX) #85
Jimothy Lewis (IMG) #99

So only 1 5* and only 6 in the top 100. Out of the six, even with a heavy NIL, it likely is a tough pull grabbing a kid from Cali, Texas, Bama, and GA

Top IOL

Deandre Carter (Santa Ana, CA) #57
Jason Zandemal (FL) #62
Jordan Seaton (IMG) #84

That is it. No 5* and only 3 in the top 100.

I will save the room but last year the top OTs were ranked #5, 6 (Mauigoa); 16; 20 (Okunlola); 25; 33; 42; 46; 81, and 93. So basically 6 5*s and we got 2 of em. IOL was about the same each year.

So it is a down year for OL but a plethora of DL. Instead of reaching and prob overpaying for an OL guy this year we have a plethora of top DL talent and very easily could snag 2-3 5* again. If Mario and crew were looking ahead, it makes sense to focus more on OL last year as this year pickins seem slim

 

[Suhrthing]

Not even Okunlola is a day-one starter is he?

 

[Cribby]

Ole Butt Smelliot

 

[Macca]

yeah I actually just posted this in the Flo thread about how this year is just a down year for OT and we were smart to put our chips into OL last year when there was a plethora of talent. This year, 6 guys at OT in the top 100, 1 5*, last year their were 6 5* OTs alone....

I assume this was done by design but my initial theory was Mario wanted to go big on OL first, focus NIL there as those guys usually take some time to gel and get their bodies right. As opposed to DL where I think edge guys can make an impact faster, DT's usually take some time but I would guess on average less than OL.

Looking at the rankings this year:

Top OT
Brandon Baker (Santa Ana, CA) #23 overall
Josiah Thompson (SC) #59 overall
Jac McRoy (AL) #60
Daniel Calhouh (GA) #70
Ben Warren (TX) #85
Jimothy Lewis (IMG) #99

So only 1 5* and only 6 in the top 100. Out of the six, even with a heavy NIL, it likely is a tough pull grabbing a kid from Cali, Texas, Bama, and GA

Top IOL

Deandre Carter (Santa Ana, CA) #57
Jason Zandemal (FL) #62
Jordan Seaton (IMG) #84

That is it. No 5* and only 3 in the top 100.

I will save the room but last year the top OTs were ranked #5, 6 (Mauigoa); 16; 20 (Okunlola); 25; 33; 42; 46; 81, and 93. So basically 6 5*s and we got 2 of em. IOL was about the same each year.

So it is a down year for OL but a plethora of DL. Instead of reaching and prob overpaying for an OL guy this year we have a plethora of top DL talent and very easily could snag 2-3 5* again. If Mario and crew were looking ahead, it makes sense to focus more on OL last year as this year pickins seem slim

Thought Lambert would be on that list. Big boy, good feet, tackle body for sure.

 

[JgDaCane]

These recruits must think we have the best line in the country because they **** sure ain't scared to compete at other schools

Exactly. This narrative floating around is dumb. No other big time schools have trouble stacking the same positions year after year. Down class? sure. Worried about the guys in front of them? Never heard of it before.

 

[Ghandi]

Not even Okunlola is a day-one starter is he?

He’s going to start at some point this year.

I thought he was going to do it, but what I saw this spring out some apprehension on his immediate readiness.

 

[bobbydigius]

Mario has said that he wants to be recruiting a year or two down the line. It's obvious they pushed for Samson and Francis to get into the last class cause they knew this class wasn't the same.

I also think the DT class this year is also much stronger than last year.

 

[Page305]

Exactly. This narrative floating around is dumb. No other big time schools have trouble stacking the same positions year after year. Down class? sure. Worried about the guys in front of them? Never heard of it before.

Yeah definitely no disrespect at all to Dmoney or anyone else who's on the side of this narrative but that **** just sounds ridiculous to me. 2 freshmen who have yet to play a down of college football is scaring off recruits at their position? So how else does "stacking chips" work? I'm confused.

 

[JgDaCane]

Yeah definitely no disrespect at all to Dmoney or anyone else who's on the side of this narrative but that **** just sounds ridiculous to me. 2 freshmen who have yet to play a down of college football is scaring off recruits at their position? So how else does "stacking chips" work? I'm confused.

I'm with you man. Respectfully of course
as you said.

 

[DMoney]

Exactly. This narrative floating around is dumb. No other big time schools have trouble stacking the same positions year after year. Down class? sure. Worried about the guys in front of them? Never heard of it before.

Note the bolded words and you, @Page305 and @Rellyrell will have your answer as to why that won't work for Miami in 2023.

We aren't a big-time school. We can't sell championships and multiple first round picks every year. Playing time is central to our sales pitch for these elite kids. That's what we sold to Francis and Samson, along with NIL and an OL head coach. You can only play that card so many times.