Hello All,
Another year, another set of high school heroes joining the program. Here are my thoughts.
I think this class has leadership, with kids like Joe Yearby, Braxton Berrios and Kiy Hester.
I think this staff gets an A for the first 11 months of this recruiting cycle, and an F for the last month. There are holes in the class at running back (lost Brandon Powell, did not close on Dalvin Cook, Sony Michel or Tavon Ross OR offer Madre London), OL (lost Reilly Gibbons at the last minute, did not have a Plan B ready to go) and in the secondary (did not close J.C. Jackson, let several local kids go without a fight, such as Juwon Dowels and Deatrich Nichols).
I think the staff needed to close one of Kyle Rudolph, Ermon Lane and Johnnie Dixon at WR.
I think that closing Travonte Valentine at DT would have taken this class from a B+ to an A.
All that said, as usual, the Canes fan base has swung too far in a certain direction. Most of the die hards, including myself, have been very negative lately, and rightly so. However, that has clouded the judgement of many toward this class. There is a LOT of talent here. Whether it will be developed...we don't know. Whether it will be maximized...we don't know. But this is how a Canes class SHOULD look.
National Signing Day was boring, because we did not add anyone to the class, but an early commitment does not diminish the talent. Recruiting is a fickle beast. Fans want great players to commit early, but then as soon as they do, the gleam comes off and all that matters is the next kid. I think that is regrettable.
Without further hesitation, my take on each of the guys that signed with Miami today, guys that all Miami fans should be very happy to have.
QB
Brady Kaaya (Mission
Hills, CA)
Kaaya is a “leader” of this class. As soon as James Coley
came over as offensive coordinator, Kaaya’s name jumped to the top of our
recruiting list. Kaaya is a late bloomer, but all it took was one look at his
tape to realize this was a player with the potential to be special; tall, with
a frame to support more weight, and the ability to throw it with accuracy both
in the medium and long passing games. He committed early on, choosing Miami
over Oklahoma State. He then went to Elite 11 camps and proceeded to put on a
show, rising to a Top 200 prospect and consensus 4 star almost overnight. Along
the way he began recruiting his butt off for the Hurricanes, realizing that if
he wants to win he needs weapon around him, on both sides of the ball…played a
big part in the recruitment of Braxton Berrios over the summer. Miami held off late surges from the hometown
duo of USC and UCLA as Kaaya lead his team to a state championship and shined
in the Semper Fi All American Game. Absolute stud that will square off with
Kevin Olsen for the starting job in the future.
Malik Rosier (Mobile,
AL)
Rosier is a developmental type at QB with nice athleticism. He
is short, but that does not matter as much in James Coley’s open offense. He is
a dual threat quarterback that also had a great tape at safety…I want to see
him have his own package in the Red Zone from Day 1, similar to how Duke used
that big white guy last season. Chose Miami over Tulane. Early enrollee.
RB
Joe Yearby (Miami Central)
Yearby, a local legend mentioned
in the same breath as Duke Johnson since his days in Optimist ball, is an
absolute stud. Comparison that I heard and liked was Warrick Dunn. He has been
ultra productive for a long time, and has the ability to run physically between
the tackles, use moves in the open field, and catch the ball out of the
backfield. Broke his ankle late in his senior year and was unable to contribute
to his team’s 2nd consecutive state title run, but if he is healthy
and on campus he will be an absolute nightmare as a complement to Duke Johnson.
Committed to FSU early but flipped to Miami when James Coley came over to the
light side of the force. Early enrollee.
WR
Braxton Berrios (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Berrios is a small, incredibly
quick slot receiver that could end up the best friend of Kaaya and Kevin Olsen.
He played quarterback in high school but should be able to contribute right
away at receiver and on special teams. He plays with a chip on his shoulder
that will serve him well, as was on display in the Under Armor All American
Game, where he made several big plays, including a touchdown after returning
from a tweaked knee…which ended up being a torn ACL. Will most likely have to
redshirt as he rehabs. Chose Miami over South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio State
and Oregon. Early Enrollee.
Tyre Brady (South Dade)
Brady is a big, fast receiver
(6’3”, 180 lbs) that is kind of an Urban Legend. He has been talked about for
years, and yet no one has seen tape for the kid. Part of that is because he
bounced around to a bunch of different schools (READ: CLEARINGHOUSE ISSUE) and
at one point even moved to Texas. Apparently when he does play, he is compares
favorably to Ermon Lane, the top rated receiver prospect in Florida for this
class that is also from Homestead. He at one point committed to Kentucky and
had reported offers from UiF and FSU, but no one really knows much about this
kid to be honest. Coaches liken him to Allen Hurns, but slightly more explosive.
Darrell Langham (Santaluces High)
Langham came into one of Al
Golden’s summer camps as a little heard of prospect, and left as a Miami
commit. Was also heavily chased by FSU, because at 6’5”, 200 lbs, with run
after the catch ability and sure hands, what Langham lacks in name recognition
he makes up for in potential. Watching his tape recalls images of Tommy
Streeter almost immediately. Was a steal when the staff jumped on him, and very
quickly rose to 3 star status after his commitment. Could be the most
underrated player in the class when all is said and done.
TE
James Herndon (Norcross,
GA)
Herndon is a big athlete at 6’4”, 230 lbs. He came into Al
Golden’s summer camp with an offer from Mississippi State to his name and
little else in the way of recognition, and left as a Miami commitment, and the
‘Canes staff continues to extend its reach in to Georgia. Is a big time athlete
that was fast enough to get behind the National Champion Booker T Washington
defense multiple times in their game; many consider him one of the biggest late
risers in the nation. Could also play defensive end/JACK Backer.
David Njoku (Cedar
Grove, NJ)
Njoku, another Jersey boy, is a hybrid big receiver/ Tight
End that will probably grow into the same H-Back type as Herndon. Good looking
athlete at 6’4”, 220 lbs, but very raw and will need a redshirt. Originally
committed to Rutgers, but chose Miami over Ohio State and Penn State in the
end. Hopefully turns into a Dedrick Epps – type.
OL
Trevor Darling (Miami
Central)
Darling was Miami’s first commitment of the class and never
wavered. He is a massive prospect who could be a mauler at guard or right
tackle. Plays with absolute reckless abandon and tenacity…all the things you
want in your offensive front. Dominated in practice at the Under Armor All
American Game. Had offers from everyone. Early enrollee.
Nick Linder (St.
Thomas Aquinas)
The younger brother of Brandon Linder, Nick is arguably the
top center prospect in the state of Florida. Chose Miami early on and shut down
his recruitment. Proved instrumental in landing Kc McDermott.
Kc McDermott
(American Heritage)
Considered the top OL prospect in the state, McDermott is
huge at 6’7”, 310 lbs and should compete for immediate playing time. The
younger brother of current Cane center Shane (Who is best friends with Brandon
Linder), McDermott looks to be the linchpin and leader of the future Canes
offensive line. Was the best lineman at the Under Armor All American Game. Has
been compared to Jake Mathews of Texas A&M, a player that will likely go in
the Top 5 of the coming NFL Draft. Chose Miami over Notre Dame. Early enrollee.
DL
Trent Harris (Winter
Park High)
Canes history is filled with stories like Lamar Thomas and
Clinton Portis. Both men grew up in North Central Florida as fans of their
hometown team, the Florida Gatas. Neither was wanted by the Gatas, so they came
down to Miami and became legends. Harris is the next guy to attempt the feat.
Harris is a compact (6’2”, 235 lbs) defensive end that is aggressive in getting
after the ball. He is yet another player in this class that will just straight
up get after the ball. Grew up a Gata fan, but committed to Miami when UiF took
the commitment of Justus Reed in his place. His other finalist was Ohio State.
Reminds quite a few people of Olivier Vernon coming out of high school. Early
enrollee.
Calvin Heurtelou
(Scottsdale C.C.)
This JUCO transfer was a surprise signee that could see
immediate time as a strongside end, and possibly down the road at nose tackle.
He will be a solid depth guy right away and probably step immediately into the
2 deep. Chose Miami over Mizzou and Tennessee. Early enrollee.
Demetrius Jackson
(Booker T Washington)
Jackson is a super athletic defensive end prospect that had
never played football before spring of his junior year of high school. After
tape of his 5 sack spring game performance made the rounds, Jackson’s
recruitment blew up, and kept getting bigger as he started impressing on the
field, memorably dominating Georgia Norcross on national television. He
committed to Randy Shannon at Arkansas before flipping to the hometown ‘Canes. His
recruitment was all over the place, and several times it was rumored that he
had decommitted, but the important thing is the Canes captured this high
ceiling prospect. Will probably need a year to gain weight but could become a
dynamic pass rushing outside linebacker. Unrelated, but had 35 rebounds in a
high school basketball this season.
Courtel Jenkins (Wayne,
NJ)
This was the best player at the Chesapeake Bowl All Star
Game, and he has been a Cane for a long time. Jenkins is a nose tackle prospect
that plays low to the ground and with good burst. Chose Miami over Ohio State,
Penn State and Pitt; his production will most likely start 2-3 years down the
road.
Anthony Moten (St.
Thomas Aquinas)
Prototypical kid you bring in for a 3-4 look that can play
end in the base package or slide inside and rush the passer on 3rd
down. Much wider than I thought, and was double teamed the entire game at the
Semper Fi All American Game…although that didn’t stop him from recording a
sack. Was considered a Miami lean since his junior year of high school, then
shocked everyone by committing to Florida. Backed off his commitment and then
chose Miami over Florida State in November.
When all 3 schools in the Big 3 are on your tail, you bring something to
the table. Stood next to him in line at a port-a-john after the UiF game and my
buddy Trent said “can’t wait to watch you next year.” Pretty sure that’s what
wrapped him up.
Chad Thomas (Booker T
Washington High)
Thomas is one of the stars of this class and my favorite prospect.
He is a lanky speed rusher with surprising strength, as evidenced by him
pancaking Damien Papa, a 360 lb guard, at Nike’s The Opening camp. His best
days are ahead of him, and he will certainly add a lot of muscle to his 6’5”,
245 lb build. The future of the pass rush is in good hands as Thomas joins Quan
Muhammad and Tyriq McCord, among others, coming off the edge. Thomas is a true
DE but has the versatility to play as a linebacker at times or slide inside to
tackle on passing downs. Chose Miami over Louisville, FSU and Alabama; had
offers from everyone.
Michael Wyche (East
Los Angeles C.C.)
Wyche is a huge nose tackle prospect that was originally
committed to Ed Orgeron at USC, then flipped to Miami the day the NCAA
sanctions were announced, then decommitted for 48 hours late in the process due
to an ACC rule that said he hadn’t been at JUCO for long enough and needed
another semester, and then decided to ride it out…this seems far from a done
deal. If he makes it to campus, as 6’4”, 330 lbs he has the size to play
immediately if he is in shape. Barry Jackson reported that Canes coaches feel
he would have been the best lineman on the team LAST season, and therefore
should figure in early. Former gang member who seems very grateful for his opportunity.
LB
Terry McCray (Pompano Beach Ely)
McCray was a productive high
school player (13 sacks his senior year) whose skill set is similar to that of
Mike Smith. McCray has projectable size (6’3”, 225 lbs) and will have to learn
to play more in space if he hopes to become an everydown linebacker and not
just a pass rush package / special teams player. Cousin of one of the great
over achievers in the history of the program, Teraz McCray. Chose Miami over LSU.
Darrion Owens (Oakleaf High)
One of my favorite recruits in
this class. He did 3 semesters worth of online course work in 6 weeks in order
to enroll early, spending 12-15 hours a day at this computer, even sneaking in
homework cram sessions during the practice week for the all star game he
attended in California. This Jacksonville product has possibly the highest ceiling of anyone in this class.
He is a rangy, athletic linebacker that played safety until his senior year of
high school, when he outgrew the positon. Miami fought off Georgia, Auburn and
Ohio State for Owens’ services, and he should be devastating as a SAM
linebacker, as his off the charts athleticism should remain intact even as
Owens gets to the 240-250 lb range. The
easy comparison is Alec Ogletree but also possibly the most accurate for this
type of prospect. Not ready to play right away, as he needs a lot of weight and
to acclimate to the linebacker position, as was apparent at the Semper Fi All
American Game, where he was unable to make much of an impact. Early enrollee.
Mike Smith (Miami Northwestern)
Smith was a pass rush specialist
in high school. Miami sees him as a pass rusher whose athleticism may enable
him to play middle linebacker down the road; for now, he will play the hybrid
pass rush role occupied by Tyriq McCord. Smith is one of the good kind: a head
nodder that wanted to be a Cane, committed early and then shut his mouth. Chose
Miami over FSU, Clemson and West Virginia. The comparison most often made on
the message boards is to Bruce Irvin or Vic Beasley.
Juwon Young (Albany,
GA)
Young is a “southern savage”. He combines great athleticism
with a hatred of ball carriers in his 6’1”, 230 lb frame. This is the type of
middle linebacker that made Miami feared by all receivers going over the
middle. Initial grade concerns lead to a slow start to his recruitment, but his
ability was never in question. Maybe the most underrated prospect in the class.
Chose Miami over UNC. Early enrollee.
DB
Marques Gayot (Park Vista High)
Gayot is a physical safety
prospect from Palm Beach county. The one thing that jumps off his tape is his
explosive hitting. He may be limited in his range down the road, but at worst
is a solid backup that can be a core special teams guy and crack down on
running backs. At safety, where depth is a MAJOR issue for this squad, that is
a good thing. Chose Miami over Louisville.
Kiy Hester (Wayne, New Jersey)
Hester, a teammate of Courtel
Jenkins and good friend of current ‘Cane Al – Quadin Muhammad, is one of the
top safety prospects in the nation and could see early playing time. He is
physical, but also very rangy…major ballhawk potential. Major upgrade,
immediately, from the Kacy Rogers / AJ Highsmith duo, and will compete with
Deon Bush, Reyshawn Jenkins and Jamal Carter for playing time. Decommitted from
Rutgers and chose Miami over Michigan State (which is a GREAT sign).
Jimmy Mayes (Miami Northwestern)
Was a complete unknown until he
came to Golden’s camp and won DB MVP for the day, making himself a 3 star
prospect over night. Lanky athlete (6’1”, 170 lbs) and seems more like a glider
than a sprinter, but Mayes shows playmaker ability and looks like the type that
you redshirt and let develop for 2-3 years before throwing him in to live fire.
Could be a corner or safety. Chose Miami over Syracuse, FIU and FAU. Early
enrollee.
ATH
Trayone Gray (Carol City High)
99% sure this kid will end up in
Prep school or JUCO. Gray is a sudden, explosive athlete with a ready-to-go
body (6’2”, 205 lbs) that will play either receiver, running back or safety for
Miami. Another player who emerged from off the radar to grab an offer, a look
at his high school tape shows you an ultra athletic quarterback that has the
physical abilities and frame to live up to the player he is most often compared
to: Anquan Boldin. I like him best as a running back (he was a running
quarterback and this is the closest thing to that), but there is no denying his
potential impact at safety or receiver. Much like Darrion Owens, has incredibly
high upside. Grades concern, which is probably why his offer sheet didn’t blow
up.
SUPERLATIVES
SUPERLATIVES
5 Blocks of Granite
Kaaya – Potential franchise QB
Yearby – Leader and heir apparent
to Duke Johnson
Darling – Leader, and a mauler
Mcdermott – Franchise tackle
Thomas – The Kracken, an elite
pass rusher that can come from all angles
Sleepers
Gray – Comparisons heard
frequently, depending on who you listen to: Anquan Boldin, Darren McFadden,
Nick Marshall
Young – Just a beast of a middle
linebacker who has flown below the radar
Herndon – Big, fast, athletic…all
the traits you look for when you want to find your version of Eric Ebron;
doesn’t hurt that he comes from a two time state championship program
Brady – Allen Hurns comparisons
Rosier – No one talks about him,
but scouts seem quite enamored
Best Quotes
"The Urban Meyer thing was
just funny to me. He came to my school a week after I told his assistant that I
wasn't even interested in them. I told him no to his face, and it's got to be
one of the top five reactions of someone ever. His facial expression was just
so funny. My coach was tearing up and had to go in his office and laugh. It
literally looked like a kid the first time you tell him ‘no, you can’t do
something’. It looked like he was a baby about to cry. It was so funny." –
Kc Mcdermott…even if he never pans out, he is a legend forever.
“Congratulations to everyone that will
officially become a Hurricane tomorrow and for those that aren’t *******” –
Artie Burns …Note: Exactly 7 asterisks
“Canes haters need to cool it
with that ish. Canes comin’ strong in 2014.” – Joe Yearby…you might not agree
with him, but it is good to hear anyway.
“Blessed to be compared to the
Miami greats, but no disrespect I’m tryna be the best DB to come out of Miami
ever!! I’m working” – Kiy Hester…solid used of ‘blessed’, although more hash
tag would have been nice.
“I will be attending the
University of Florida State / Louisiana State University” – Too many to
name…seems fitting, given their school selections.
“The bad boys of football are
back. Like it or not, get ready for it.”
-Braxton Berrios…strong.
“This ain’t a boy’s game, that’s why I made a
Man’s decision. And being a Man I will always stand by my word. I’m a
Cane.” -Braxton Berrios… very strong.
“Never would have thought this
growing up on 17th street…my people got something’ to be proud of…my
family something’ to be proud of…UM stuck by me when I had no stars, they saw
something in me, they saw the potential, and that showed out later in the
season…it’s exciting man.” – Demetrius Jackson, through tears. Great moment.
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