Miami hosted its first official visit weekend of the new year beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday morning.
The visitors were as expected: WR Evidence Njoku, WR Jordan Pouncey, DL D.J. Johnson, CB Trajan Bandy, CB Jhavonte Dean, and WR Mike Harley.
None of these were a surprise to Canes coaches, including Harley, who Miami had expected to go through with his visit plans even when he publicly said a few weeks ago that he was "shutting down" his recruitment.
Evidence Njoku: The New Jersey product was already a solid commitment prior to this weekend. There was a point near the end of the season where there was talk that Larry Scott and Tennessee could come swipe him, but that is no longer in the picture. Miami's lone wide receiver commit won't be the only commitment at his position for long.
Jordan Pouncey: Miami were the favorites for Pouncey heading into the weekend and this weekend only enhanced the chances that he signs with the Canes. Miami felt like they were the reason he decommitted from Notre Dame in the first place. He made the trip down from Winter Park with his father. Pouncey will announce on signing day. He is scheduled to visit Texas next weekend and Tennessee after that, but Miami likes where they are sitting.
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D.J. Johnson: This was an important weekend for Miami with Johnson because it was the first time that his parents made the trip to Coral Gables with him. The Canes were not in danger of losing him from the class, but it's always better when the parents are 100% on board with their son's decision. The national experts predicting a flip to Washington are going to want to hold back on that because Johnson is staying put with Miami.
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Mike Harley: As mentioned above, the Miami staff was expecting for Harley to take this visit to Coral Gables even though he was saying that his pledge to the Mountaineers was solid. Multiple Miami commitments who have been in contact with Harley told me this weekend that they expect him to sign with the Hurricanes. I was wrong on Harley before because I was sure he was flipping, as was Miami, but there is still plenty of smoke here. Based on the way his recruitment has gone though, there's no way to predict what will happen until the LOI papers are sent in
If both Harley and Jeff Thomas want in the class, Miami would take both, and that is just the infusion of speed that Mark Richt has been talking about needing at receiver since he took the job last year. There is a ton of positive buzz surrounding Thomas and Miami right now.
Jhavonte Dean: It looks like it's only a matter of time before the Alabama commit Dean flips to Miami, according to multiple sources close to the junior college corner. This visit was a big step towards securing his commitment though, because it was his first time on campus as a Miami recruit. Dean is from Homestead, but was not recruited by the Canes out of HS, so he was able to get his first true taste of the University of Miami this weekend. He would be a pivotal pickup for the defense next season and is an automatic candidate to start at one of the corner spots. Look for an announcement prior to signing day.
Trajan Bandy: One of Miami's most solid commits made the trip from West Perrine to Coral Gables with his father and mother. All Cane here.
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**Miami sent multiple coaches to the Dade-Broward all-star game last night including Manny Diaz, Ephraim Banda, Mike Rumph, and new staff member David Cooney. Miami target Brian Edwards and commitment DeAndre Wilder were playing in the game.
This was not so much them recruiting those guys, but more of an attempt for a canes coaches to show their presence in the community.
**Visits on tap for the Canes next weekend - Brian Edwards, Jeff Thomas, and potentially Kai-Leon Herbert. Herbert has not completely locked in the visit with Miami, according to a source, but it looks like he will end up taking the visit. We will see if the departure of UF OL coach Mike Summers will make a difference for Miami.
Edwards plans on visiting with his mother, while Thomas is expected to travel with both parents.
