Miami coaches jumped to fix the OL first and foremost.
This year is about fixing the DL. Miami has too many non-pro body types at DT and wants to focus on that this cycle for freshman, while hitting portal as well.
I do like the fact that the coaches are not interested in a country club. Finding competition everywhere seems to be the mission.
Have to close on it and not just talk a good game, but I’m liking what I’m hearing from a program-building standpoint.
This is how targeted NIL spending and recruiting should be. I’m convinced that Mario is trying to build for the next 8 years, not 2. Think of it like building a house. If you want the house to stand a long time you start with the foundation; Oline and Dline. Last year the big money and recruting time went ot Oline. That was step 1. This year the big money and time will go to Dline. Step 2.
I will bet anyone that once Mario feels he has replenished the numbers on the lines he will continue to go for the big names, but UM will start spending more NIL money and recruiting time on skill positions, including QB.
But there is literally no point in paying 5 star NIL QB money, or even RB/WR money until the Oline exists to give them time or create running holes.
This requires patience, and planning from coaches, admin and fans. But that must be what Mario told them UM people before he took the job.
This is a different approach than FSU and even USC have taken. And if it works, this approach will create sustainable success at the highest level.
Right now the results on the field are not good, and won’t be UM standard for another 1-2 seasons. But if/when the breakthrough happens (nothing in life is guaranteed except death and taxes), it will look like 2000. Right now we are 1997/98. Lose to some mediocre teams, get destroyed by FSU and V-Tech By 1999 a true freshman QB came in for an injured Kenny Kelly and we won the Gator Bowl. By 2000 we were a few points and a stupid system from whopping Oklahoma.