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With the talent that 2021 Monarch (FL) WR Jaden Alexis brings to the field, it’s no surprise that he has already caught the eye of the Miami Hurricanes’ new receivers coach Rob Likens. After getting in touch with Alexis this week, Likens is pushing to build a bond with the star receiver.
“[Likens] was just saying how he loved my film and that he wanted to reach out to me and build a relationship,” Alexis said. “I know coach (Rhett) Lashlee had just come in and I was able to meet with him and talk with him on my last visit, so getting to know the new receivers coach was the next step in getting a better feel of the staff and what I’ll be working with when I get there.”
Although he’s just getting to know some of UM new offensive staff, Alexis’ relationship with Miami actually dates back 8 months ago. Last June, the Canes were the first program to see the potential in Alexis and offer him a scholarship, a moment that made a lasting impression on him.
“Coach (Mike) Rumph watched me practice in the spring, and the old OC and O-Line coach came to my spring game. It was probably a week after my spring game, coach Rumph had gotten in contact with me and offered me,” Alexis said. “At the time, it was a lot of emotions because it was my first offer and it was my dream school since I was a little kid. So, it was a really special moment, it really changed my life to be honest.”
As a lifelong fan, the 6-1 175 pound prospect has been looking further his connection with the Miami program, something Alexis was able to do in late January by visiting for UM’s Junior Day event with his family.
“It was really all about the culture and what they’ve built and what they want to keeping building on,” Alexis said. “Me and my parents were there and we really loved the path the program has taken since coach Diaz has gotten in there, it’s definitely on the rise. Some of the kids that have committed in the past year, the program is definitely on the way up. The coaches were very straight-forward with everything they were talking about. They made time to make it more 1-on-1 towards the end when we were eating, so they could get to know some of the kids they were recruiting. I really loved it.”
As previously mentioned, Alexis also got to meet Lashlee on the visit and get a better feel for both him as a person and what type of scheme he will run at Miami.
“I love his scheme, his offense – run and gun, spread offense, let it fly,” Alexis said of Lashlee. “That’s an offense any receiver would love to play in, especially with my skill and talent. He’s a very cool person as well, no only as a coach, but as a human being, as a person, he’s really nice and cool to talk to and go to, so I really love his vibe.
“We went over some of the film from when he was at Auburn and also SMU this past year. So, he got to show what his philosophy was there and what he wants to bring once he comes to Miami this year.”
Ultimately, the great visit plus the entire tradition of the program has Miami high on Alexis’ list.
“It’s probably more of the name that comes with it - once you’re a Cane, you’re a Cane for life,” Alexis said of what interests him about Miami. “Everything you do on that field is being watched by not only people on TV at home, but it’s also the people that came before you and the history and the legacy that you have to fulfill from what they did. It’s just something about the program - as a little kid, I always loved watching the Canes, so did my dad.”
As for upcoming visits, Alexis is planning on seeing Alabama and Georgia Tech next month when the dead period ends before getting back to Miami for a spring practice in April. He has also taken trips in the past to Florida, South Carolina, and, most recently Georgia; he talked a bit about what his experience in Athens was like in seeing the UGA program.
“I really like the coaches, it’s really a big family up there,” Alexis said of UGA. “It’s a different feel since you’re out in the country, a different place, a new environment, so it’s not as much in the city. But it’s really nice, the facilities are amazing, the coaches are top-notch. It’s a really fire program in their own right.”
After his spring visits, the Monarch star is planning on publicly narrowing down his recruitment to 5 to 10 schools that he could really see himself at in anticipation of a decision window of August-October in time to graduate early.
“I’m not anywhere near any official decision commitment-wise, I’m just playing out my full process because I want to get the full experience,” Alexis said. “I want to make sure I tap into every school’s plan for me as an athlete once I get there. I just want to feel everything out and visit as many schools as I can, and then when I do feel it’s the right time to make that decision, I don’t want to have to be that kid goes back and decommits here and commits there. I want to make sure it’s ‘the’ decision once I make it.”
When it does come time to make his choice, Alexis will be looking for a school that can provide development both on and off the field.
“A couple big factors would be how I’ll be used on the field, will my potential be reached at this or that program?” Alexis said. “It will also be off the field help with education and being a young adult as well. A little factor will be the business side, because I do want to be a business major and I do want to go to a school that has a really good business program so I can get a bachelors and hopefully a masters degree.”
As a junior in 2019, Alexis recorded 49 receptions for 920 yards and 8 TD’s, along with 43 rushing yards and a TD on the ground on his way to being named 1st Team All-County in Broward.
“[Likens] was just saying how he loved my film and that he wanted to reach out to me and build a relationship,” Alexis said. “I know coach (Rhett) Lashlee had just come in and I was able to meet with him and talk with him on my last visit, so getting to know the new receivers coach was the next step in getting a better feel of the staff and what I’ll be working with when I get there.”
Although he’s just getting to know some of UM new offensive staff, Alexis’ relationship with Miami actually dates back 8 months ago. Last June, the Canes were the first program to see the potential in Alexis and offer him a scholarship, a moment that made a lasting impression on him.
“Coach (Mike) Rumph watched me practice in the spring, and the old OC and O-Line coach came to my spring game. It was probably a week after my spring game, coach Rumph had gotten in contact with me and offered me,” Alexis said. “At the time, it was a lot of emotions because it was my first offer and it was my dream school since I was a little kid. So, it was a really special moment, it really changed my life to be honest.”
As a lifelong fan, the 6-1 175 pound prospect has been looking further his connection with the Miami program, something Alexis was able to do in late January by visiting for UM’s Junior Day event with his family.
“It was really all about the culture and what they’ve built and what they want to keeping building on,” Alexis said. “Me and my parents were there and we really loved the path the program has taken since coach Diaz has gotten in there, it’s definitely on the rise. Some of the kids that have committed in the past year, the program is definitely on the way up. The coaches were very straight-forward with everything they were talking about. They made time to make it more 1-on-1 towards the end when we were eating, so they could get to know some of the kids they were recruiting. I really loved it.”
As previously mentioned, Alexis also got to meet Lashlee on the visit and get a better feel for both him as a person and what type of scheme he will run at Miami.
“I love his scheme, his offense – run and gun, spread offense, let it fly,” Alexis said of Lashlee. “That’s an offense any receiver would love to play in, especially with my skill and talent. He’s a very cool person as well, no only as a coach, but as a human being, as a person, he’s really nice and cool to talk to and go to, so I really love his vibe.
“We went over some of the film from when he was at Auburn and also SMU this past year. So, he got to show what his philosophy was there and what he wants to bring once he comes to Miami this year.”
Ultimately, the great visit plus the entire tradition of the program has Miami high on Alexis’ list.
“It’s probably more of the name that comes with it - once you’re a Cane, you’re a Cane for life,” Alexis said of what interests him about Miami. “Everything you do on that field is being watched by not only people on TV at home, but it’s also the people that came before you and the history and the legacy that you have to fulfill from what they did. It’s just something about the program - as a little kid, I always loved watching the Canes, so did my dad.”
As for upcoming visits, Alexis is planning on seeing Alabama and Georgia Tech next month when the dead period ends before getting back to Miami for a spring practice in April. He has also taken trips in the past to Florida, South Carolina, and, most recently Georgia; he talked a bit about what his experience in Athens was like in seeing the UGA program.
“I really like the coaches, it’s really a big family up there,” Alexis said of UGA. “It’s a different feel since you’re out in the country, a different place, a new environment, so it’s not as much in the city. But it’s really nice, the facilities are amazing, the coaches are top-notch. It’s a really fire program in their own right.”
After his spring visits, the Monarch star is planning on publicly narrowing down his recruitment to 5 to 10 schools that he could really see himself at in anticipation of a decision window of August-October in time to graduate early.
“I’m not anywhere near any official decision commitment-wise, I’m just playing out my full process because I want to get the full experience,” Alexis said. “I want to make sure I tap into every school’s plan for me as an athlete once I get there. I just want to feel everything out and visit as many schools as I can, and then when I do feel it’s the right time to make that decision, I don’t want to have to be that kid goes back and decommits here and commits there. I want to make sure it’s ‘the’ decision once I make it.”
When it does come time to make his choice, Alexis will be looking for a school that can provide development both on and off the field.
“A couple big factors would be how I’ll be used on the field, will my potential be reached at this or that program?” Alexis said. “It will also be off the field help with education and being a young adult as well. A little factor will be the business side, because I do want to be a business major and I do want to go to a school that has a really good business program so I can get a bachelors and hopefully a masters degree.”
As a junior in 2019, Alexis recorded 49 receptions for 920 yards and 8 TD’s, along with 43 rushing yards and a TD on the ground on his way to being named 1st Team All-County in Broward.
