Hello All,
One of my best friends in Los Angeles is named Tori. Tori is a fellow second generation ‘Cane and one of the sweetest people in the whole world; she does not quite fit in here in Los Angeles.
Last spring, Tori’s dad passed away too young. I never knew the man, but from all accounts he seems like the type of person that makes America awesome. Since his death, Tori has told me some stories about him: mostly about how he played football for The U back before it was cool and how he one time had to have his class ring cut off his finger after getting in (I can only imagine, given his seemingly old school persona and Steel City roots) a bar fight. In short, the guy was a total badass.
Anyway, last time we had lunch Tori was telling me about her dad’s favorite motto. It goes like this:
Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle…when the sun comes up, you better be running.
I think Mr. Riley would like what Al Golden has done with this recruiting class.
At the outset of this recruiting cycle, we knew a few things about what Miami needed. We knew that the secondary and the d-line were areas of great concern, and that the receivers potentially could be.
More to the point, we knew that the team needed a heart transplant after years of playing sub- Hurricane grade football. Character would be of the essence in Golden’s first full class…a class that essentially needed to form the backbone of the next generation of Miami Hurricanes football.
Since the beginning of this recruiting cycle, Golden has faced the pressure of not only finding the kids that would form this backbone, but also having to do so amid swirling allegations of a program-crippling nature, rumors that he would be leaving to take a new job, an ongoing NCAA investigation and a 6-6 season that ended with a self-imposed bowl ban.
Given this hand, a lot of coaches might have folded or played for
second place. Instead, Golden became part Gazelle and part Lion. He was the first to arrive on several under the radar kids, taking “reaches” that he thinks he can turn into stars. He ran down the pack on several others, putting
Miami in position to land several highly rated studs, both early on and late in the game. He closed down players like Duke Johnson and Raphael Kirby early, while staying in the fight for guys like Darius Hamilton and Tracy Howard until the very last moment (both were once considered longshots in the most literal sense of the word…he ended up signing Howard and nearly signing Hamilton).
This class is truly remarkable.
The first thing that will stand out is numbers. The program needed to add depth in the worst way possible. But just as important as adding bodies was adding the RIGHT bodies. This program needed depth of character, the type of kids that want to be Hurricanes and take pride in putting in the work and effort to do so. Unselfish kids that know that playing time is something that is earned and not given, and that surrounding yourself with guys who want it just as much as you is the fastest way to a title.
I call these types Devil Dogs. They go down in to the pits of hell and come out with the football, or the yard, or the touchdown, or whatever it is they need…and they enjoy doing it. That is what this class if filled with. Guys who, no matter what their star rating, show a willingness to do the dirty work needed to win and win big. They know that they might not be the highest ranked kids (even though some of them ARE the highest ranked kids) and they take it personally.
It is that type of character that made this program great, and it is that type of character that you see in spades in this class.
(I hope I don’t eat those words in a couple of years)
Roll Call:
QB
Preston Dewey (Austin, TX)
Dewey is the most polished member of this quarterback class. He comes from Texas, always a plus with quarterbacks, and despite missing most of his senior year with an injury, he was coached by Ty Detmer, a name all Hurricane fans remember with no fondness. The most likely of these quarterbacks to play early, and yet still has room to grow. Early enrollee.
David Thompson (Westminster Christian)
Thompson is the wildcard for perhaps the whole class. He is also a stud baseball player and most assume he is going for the first round baseball money. This has also probably caused him to be overlooked in many circles. However, this kid has “it”. If I were to bet on one of these three quarterbacks to be a Heisman candidate and the leader of a championship contender, Thompson would be it, assuming he makes it to campus, which is a longshot. He has the arm and the ability to scramble. He plays tough, scrappy football and looks like a winner; I do not think it would be far fetched for this kid to have a Colt McCoy type of skill set if he makes it to school. Fingers are crossed, because we sure as hell could use a left side infielder with the power to hit 15-20 bombs as well. The ultimate wait and see.
Gray Crow (Countryside High)
Crow was one of this class’ first commitments and has stood by it. He is built like a brick shithouse, can throw it through a brick wall and looks the part of the classic gunslinger, but has struggled with interceptions in high school. Part of that is most likely due to trying to do too much at a weak program, but Crow certainly has a lot of growth to accomplish before he gets on the field and is trusted with this offense. The consensus is that a lot of tools are there, but the kid needs to work on footwork or he will get decapitated. One word to describe him: project. Early enrollee.
RB
Duke Johnson (Miami Norland)
Best player in the class, period. Fast as hell, with wiggle, and is also a stellar DB, so you know he can get physical (in fact, some have suggested his future might be as a lockdown corner). Should step on to campus in July and immediately seize a role as a return man and work his way in to a role on offense as a freshman. Ceiling is Reggie Bush-esque.
Danny Dillard (Venice High)
Dillard is a below the radar big back who runs hard. Similar to Mike James. Always a role for these kinds of guys on special teams early, and at the high turnover position of running back you can never be overstocked.
WR
Robert Lockhart (Fork Union Prep)
Late switch from Virginia Tech that will most likely play right away. He came out of high school as a late bloomer last season and was long and wiry but had damn good film, including some of the best layouts you will ever see. Now he has grown (his brother has him at 6’3”, 200 lbs) in to his frame a bit. This kid will make some serious noise.
Angelo Jean-Louis (Palm Beach Central)
Speed merchant who could be a great receiver or corner. Thick and physical. Apparently has terrible grades and still some work left to do to actually enroll. Tore it up in practice at the Under Armor All American game and had his man dead to rights a couple times in the actual game before being underthrown. A lot of people will see the speed and relative lack of height and think “slot”, but this is the type of kid that will stretch the field on the outside with his speed and is also tough enough to go over the middle on dig and slant routes…and then make something happen after.
Malcolm Lewis (Miramar High)
Lewis is a stud that could contribute early. Isn’t the biggest or fastest, but he knows how to run routes and get open. Has been a key piece for a Top 5 team in the state for three years and that shouldn’t change in college. Was a big recruiting win for Miami, as he was truly open and got a lot of love from the Big 3, Alabama, LSU and the rest of the big boys. A candidate for early playing time, similar to Phillip Dorsett, although not as fast. Made a catch in the state title game that will be on every Florida high school highlight reel for years.
Herb Waters (Homestead High)
Waters is not the fastest but he is smooth and a great route runner and athlete. Measurables do not jump out but he put on a show at an elite camp in Oregon last summer and just makes plays.
D’Mauri Jones (Leesburg High)
Jones is a bit of a sleeper but has offers from Arkansas and West Virginia, who both know a thing or two about receivers. Jones has the ability to go up and get it, as they say.
Jontavious Carter (Cordele, GA)
Carter is a big body (6’4”, 200lbs) who profiles as a possession guy and red zone threat as a former basketball player. Golden and Co. believe in going out of the state only for impact guys, so the potential has to be high for this lowly rated player to be included in the signing class.
OL
Ereck Flowers (Miami Norland)
Duke’s teammate and a fast riser as a left tackle prospect. Will most likely be afforded the chance to redshirt before pushing for playing time but enrolled early, so playing time will be his to earn. Ceiling in unlimited for kids like this: he is tall and physically built, has a thick trunk and shows a nice natural ability to bend. That sounded bad didn’t it? Alright, moving along…
Danny Isidora (Cypress Bay)
Isidora is a big ol’ boy (330 lbs.) who was recruited as a pulling guard and also had Wisconsin and Michigan bidding for his services; they know what they are talking about when it comes to guards. Quiet kid who lets his play talk. Probably needs to lose 10-15 lbs. before he can get a legitimate shot at playing time.
Taylor Gadbois (Fork Union Prep)
Gadbois is big, mean and nasty and signed last year before being placed at a prep school. Had the quote of the year in regard to prep teammate Robert Lockhart committing: “You’re not being a dumbass anymore.” Apparently had a bit of a…ahem…record in high school; I expect a few personal foul calls throughout his career. Hopefully he can point that aggression in the right direction…nothing wrong with having a mean mother or two on the o-line. Early enrollee.
DE/DT
Tyriq McCord (Tampa Jefferson)
Ultra athletic rush end. He is undersized right now but has a great frame to grow in to and in the right scheme could be an absolute nightmare with the ability to drop and cover or put his hand down and get after the quarterback. Told a national audience at the Army Bowl he would be “taking his talents to South Beach” and picked the ‘Canes over Cackalacky, Georgia, USC and UiF.
Jelani Hamilton (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Hamilton is a highly ranked end/tackle tweener who is most likely a tackle in the 4-3 package and an end in the 3-4. Was hurt his senior year but if healthy could be a rotation player from year one and a long term compliment as Anthony Chickillo’s bookend.
Jake O’Donnell (Doyleston, PA)
O’Donnell is tall (6’6”) with a lot of weight to potentially add (233 lbs. right now). Will bring the Midwestern attitude to the d-line and after a redshirt projects as a jumbo end that could get up to 260-270 lbs with relative ease. A lot of people questioned the recruitment after he came to camp and accepted the offer, but back when Butch Davis was still at UNC they wanted this kid…so yeah, the kid can play. Also kind of looks like Colin Hanks. Has the potential to be in the Calais Campbell / JJ Watt mold.
Earl Moore (Tampa Hillsborough)
Moore is a bowling ball on the inside who will most likely compete from day one, given the line’s depth concerns. Plays low to the ground and should be a pass rusher on the interior line.
Jacoby Briscoe (Lafayette, LA)
Surged in the state playoffs and started drawing interest from LSU, Tennesse and Texas A&M, but Miami was quicker to the punch. After one in-home visit from Al Golden, Briscoe told him to hug it out and he was a ‘Cane. Big boy (6’4”, 290 lbs.) who, if he keeps his motor running all the time, will be another below the radar steal. However, if he isn’t motivated he will be the type of player who constantly has fans pulling their hair out. Briscoe is a tackle that could contribute to either an even or odd front, fitting the “flexible” profile of seemingly all of this staff’s defensive line prospects.
Dwayne Hoilett (Vero Beach)
Hoilett is an undersized rush end who looks like a “flex” player in the 3-4, pass-rush package. Great athlete who shined at The Opening in Oregon last summer. Could be the natural successor to Andrew Smith with far more upside. Early enrollee.
DeQuan Ivery (Lake City Colombia)
Signing day flip from Louisville who convinced mom that the big old city of Miami wasn’t all that bad. The kid is country strong and a little bowling ball (6’1”, 310 lbs.) who profiles as a clogger in the middle. Won’t be glamorous, and probably never will be an All American, but he might be just as valuable as the sexier pass rusher types (McCord, Hamilton). He also could anchor the odd front as a 5 technique or line up as a 3 in the even front.
LB
Raphael Kirby (Stone Mountain, GA)
Highly considered outside linebacker recruit who could compete for playing time from day one if he can get involved on special teams (like Denzel Perryman). Former teammate of current ‘Cane safety Tyrone Cornelius. Was used as a pash rusher heavily in high school (18 sacks senior year), so could need a year of adjusting to the art of moving backward and playing in space. Played like a heat seeking missile in the US Army All American Game and looked hell bent on hurting people. Which I like. Early enrollee.
Josh Witt (Cypress Bay)
Isidora’s teammate and an absolute maniac on the field. Might be the first of this linebacker group to get on the field as an early enrollee. Witt is smart, gritty, maximum effort guy…and any other cliche for a white linebacker. I honestly have nothing else to say…wait ‘til you see him.
JaWand Blue (West Boca)
Blue was a signing day flip from Virginia Tech to take the place of Reggie Northrup. This was actually quite impressive, not because he is such an outstanding prospect (although he is solid and with a couple of years could be a real good one…very explosive), but because on signing day Al Golden was able to say “fine, Northrup is going to FSU…we’ll just call someone up and take him from Beamer.” This also lead to maybe the loudest riot act ever read to a recruit over the phone by a coach, as a VT assistant really let Blue have it (and in the process said some things he will not be proud of…to the point that VTech’s spokesperson had to get on the line and clarify some things). For the play by play, go follow @mattyports and view his timeline. Seriously, this was a little crazy.
Gabriel Terry (Palm Beach Central)
Terry is a late-bloomer who was on no one’s radar three months ago. Had a monster senior season after moving from Nebraska. Was named MVP of the South Florida All Star Game with 2.5 sacks. Former star wrestler, which is always a good thing, especially in Midwestern states. Great blend of size and speed, with a badass attitude. Could be a special teams coverage nightmare. As I write this, he is 19-0 this season while wrestling at 195 lbs. This tells me he is a badass and also will have to gain at least 20 lbs. before he can get on the field.
DB
Tracey Howard (Miramar)
This was a BIG ONE. Howard is the best corner in the nation and could start from the second he steps on campus. Two weeks ago we had no shot at this kid. On signing day he announces on national television he is a ‘Cane. This was just pure Al Golden…as well as a lot of help from Duke Johnson, Malcolm Lewis, Deon Bush and Herb Waters. This kid can flat out cover, but does not sacrifice physicality to do so. Very confident, which makes up for the fact that he isn’t the physical freak Patrick Peterson was. Will come up and bump you or drop in to space just interchangeably. Long arms and big hands. Really, this was a home run and made National Signing Day a good God damned day.
Deon Bush (Miami Columbus)
Broke Miami’s curse when he chose the ‘Canes at the Army game over Alabama and Auburn by proclaiming “I gotta put my city back on the map”. This is what you love to hear. Also, teamed up with Duke Johnson, Herb Waters and Malcolm Lewis to become huge recruiters in the chase for Tracey Howard during the final two weeks of the recruiting season. Has long arms and nice hips. Hasn’t quite lived up to his potential in games yet but could be a nasty press corner, a ball hawking free safety, or a combination in the Merriweather / Antrell Rolle mode.
Rayshawn Jenkins (St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut)
Jenkins is an absolute playmaker and a great athlete who for some reason is under the radar. Played quarterback, receiver, and defensive back in high school as he lead an undermanned team to the state finals, where their inadequacies were apparent in a blowout loss to North Florida Christian (a team lead by Clemson recruit Travis Blanks). Potential to be the ball-hawking safety this team has lacked for a LONG time, and has the right attitude to do it if nothing else.
Vernon Davis (Coral Reef)
Davis is another lowly rated, physical guy who is probably better in the slot but has a lot of time and opportunity to figure that out. Returned 4 punts for touchdowns his senior year, playing in Dade county, so he can make things happen on the field, regardless of how highly he is rated. Potential grades casualty according to some reports.
Antonio Crawford (Tampa Plant)
This kid did epic battle with Malcolm Lewis in the state title game and was a late switch from Georgia Tech. Crawford is a little raw, as this was his first year on defense, but has obvious natural ability as he picked off 4 balls and defended another 28 passes as he was named First Team All State. As good as he is at a position of need, it may be just as important that he is the first recruit toward rebuilding a relationship with one of the top 3 high school programs in the state, which soured after the Robert Marve fiasco.
Larry Hope (Miami American)
Hope is physical and not afraid to stick his nose in there in run support from his corner spot. A little rough around the edges but could turn in to a solid cover guy who fits the system well and plays early. At best he could be a nightmare on the corner blitz and a similar player to Brandon Harris. Early enrollee.
Nate Dortch (North Ft. Myers)
High school teammate of current ‘Cane safety Dallas Crawford and Clemson receiver Sammie Watkins and relative of former All- Pro Jevon Kearse, Dortch is another below the radar corner that Golden targeted, stealing his commitment from North Carolina (again, Butch Davis). Has just as good a chance to succeed as anyone and certainly will provide some depth, but needs to bulk up first, as he is reed skinny. Tape shows a physicality that belies a man as slight as he is.
Ladarius Gunter (Fort Scott Junior College)
Gunter has three years of eligibility left, and has fantastic size (6’2, 200 lbs.) and speed (4.4 forty, reportedly). Is listed at corner but with his size could very well be a safety as well. Early enrollee.
So there you have it.
This class has everything you could ask for. Numbers. Guys at positions of need. Local high school heroes and out of state blue chippers. Highly ranked and below the radar guys. Guys that will come in an contribute immediately and projects that could blossom in a few years’ time.
Most of all, this class serves as a reminder. Miami is still Miami, no matter what. If we can pull this type of class now, imagine what we can do without all the turmoil, once we start winning some games.
Better yet, for one day in February it is a reminder of how awesome college football is and how awesome it is to be a Miami Hurricane.
Go ‘Canes, always guard the inbound passer.
And make sure when the sun comes up you hit the ground running.
