The Dream Team

Hello All,

I work in television for a living. 

I am obsessed with great TV dramas. I watch them, I GChat my buddies about them, I read books about them; I try to watch them as both a fan and as a critic might.

One of the great fears of the people that create television shows (which, one day, I hope is me), is that they will make a finale that overshadows what they did with the rest of the series.

The Sopranos is perhaps the greatest drama series of all time. The highs it hit had never really been seen before; hell, pretty much nothing that show did had ever been seen before. That one tv show completely  changed the business model for HBO. And yet, when you ask people about the show, they inevitably talk about whether they loved or hated the finale. It is infuriating for anyone that cares about the legacy (and don’t be fooled…David Chase DEFINITELY cares about legacies) of the show.

The same can be said of LOST…a show the revolutionized how we look at broadcast dramas is now only remembered for its crappy finale (which, by the way, SUCKED and still sucks and will forever suck, no matter what you try to tell me).

The same cannot be said for shows like Friday Night Lights (as I wrote in this space at the time) and The Wire….those shows ended beautifully, and now the finales are viewed as merely a well done final chapter to a great book.

I say all that to say this: it is very important that, as fans, we do not forget the season that our Miami Hurricanes basketball team just put together because of a bad finale.

I have wanted to write about this for a few weeks, to say that we should savor every moment of this squad, because the odds of seeing one like it again are not great. After all, this is still Miami, where football comes 1^st, 2n d and 3^rd, and then we worry about baseball and basketball. I was afraid to jinx it, though; I don’t know if y’all notice, but every time I say something positive in the present tense about our team without a litany of disclaimers, it serves as a curse.

So now the season is over and I can confidently say: this was a Dream Season in every sense.

The ‘Canes blew out a Duke squad that was #1 in the country. It could be argued that the Duke squad was at less than full strength, but to that I say *handwank motion*. That was a team that hasn’t left the AP Top 10 for 4 years (think about that). The ‘Canes then almost went in and won the rematch AT CAMERON INDOOR, and would have if not for the greatest game Ryan Kelly will ever play.

The ‘Canes went 3-0 against Roy Williams coached UNC.

The ‘Canes beat Michigan State.

The ‘Canes won both the regular season conference title AND the ACC Tournament, a tournament which CONSISTENTLY is of higher caliber than the NCAA equivalent.

The ‘Canes made the freakin’ Sweet 16.

Shane Larkin was conference player of the year, as voted by the coaches.

Durand Scott was conference defensive player of the year, as voted by the coaches.

Jim Larranaga was conference coach of the year, as voted by the coaches, and most likely will win every national coaching award given out.

Julian Gamble was resurrected as a 6^th year senior.

Trey McKinney Jones and Rion Brown finally flourished as role players. 

Tonye Jekiri showed flashes that he might be a building block for the program.

In other words, this was the best season in the history of the program; and that was just on the court.

This is the team that energized a campus that had grown to used to mediocrity in competition.

This is the team that brought you photobombs and freestyle raps to celebrate wins and unprecedented press access and primetime games and court storming and MOMMA MADE PIZZA ROLLS and Jim Larannaga’s Ali Shuffle.

This was a team that knew exactly how good they were because they knew exactly how bad they had been, and they appreciated every second of it.And better: they made us a part of it.

Coming in to the season, the following was the projected high: if everyone plays to their ability and has made some progress and stays healthy, we could finish 5^th in the conference and be a dangerous 8 or 9 seed in the Big Dance.

Think about that. 

Sure, we managed to time our worst game since December to coincide with Marquette’s best shooting game of the season.

But if I had told you in December we would make the Sweet 16, lose to the Big East regular season champion and be disappointed by it, you’d have tried to sell me your Oceanfront Property in Arizona, because clearly I was insane.

So let us not dwell on a bad finale. This team, like The Sopranos or LOST, just put together one of the great runs we will ever see behind an incredibly likable ensemble cast. 

We will remember Larkin and 40 Minutes of L (props to our students for actually being creative for once), but let’s not forget the Rion Brown game against Illinois, or the Durand Scott explosion in the ACC Semi-Finals, or the Reggie Johnson tip in to beat NC State on the road.

Let’s not forget how amazing this ride was, because I know the following: in 20 years, I won’t remember who won the NCAA Tournament this year without a little bit of thought. 

I will ALWAYS remember this ‘Canes squad when I think about great college basketball teams.

E-Mail Exchange: Donna Shalala and Mark Emmert

Shalala, Donna

To: Emmert, Mark
Subject: Lack of Institutional Control
8:56PM

You sure you want to go down this road, fuck stick?

Emmert, Mark

To: Shalala, Donna
Subject: RE: Lack of Institutional Control
8:59PM

President Shalala,

I have no choice but to stand by my report. We have corroborated evidence!

I sincerely hope we can still be friends.

All My Best,
Mark

Shalala, Donna

To: Emmert, Mark
CC: *NCAA_EnforcementALL
Subject: FW: Statement from President Donna E. Shalala
10:43PM

Earlier today the University of Miami received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA concerning its investigation of the University’s athletics program. The following statement from President Donna E. Shalala is in response to that Notice.

The University of Miami deeply regrets and takes full responsibility for those NCAA violations that are based on fact and are corroborated by multiple individuals and/or documentation. We have already self-imposed a bowl ban for an unprecedented two-year period, forfeited the opportunity to participate in an ACC championship game, and withheld student-athletes from competition.
Over the two and a half years since the University of Miami first contacted the NCAA enforcement staff about allegations of rules violations, the NCAA interviewed dozens of witnesses, including current and former Miami employees and student-athletes, and received thousands of requested documents and emails from the University. Yet despite our efforts to aid the investigation, the NCAA acknowledged on February 18, 2013 that it violated its own policies and procedures in an attempt to validate the allegations made by a convicted felon. Many of the allegations included in the Notice of Allegations remain unsubstantiated.
Now that the Notice of Allegations has been issued, let me provide some context to the investigation itself:

• Many of the charges brought forth are based on the word of a man who made a fortune by lying. The NCAA enforcement staff acknowledged to the University that if Nevin Shapiro, a convicted con man, said something more than once, it considered the allegation “corroborated”—an argument which is both ludicrous and counter to legal practice.

• Most of the sensationalized media accounts of Shapiro’s claims are found nowhere in the Notice of Allegations. Despite their efforts over two and a half years, the NCAA enforcement staff could not find evidence of prostitution, expensive cars for players, expensive dinners paid for by boosters, player bounty payments, rampant alcohol and drug use, or the alleged hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts given to student-athletes, as reported in the media. The fabricated story played well—the facts did not.

• The NCAA enforcement staff failed, even after repeated requests, to interview many essential witnesses of great integrity who could have provided first-hand testimony, including, unbelievably, Paul Dee, who has since passed away, but who served as Miami Athletic Director during many of the years that violations were alleged to have occurred. How could a supposedly thorough and fair investigation not even include the Director of Athletics?

• Finally, we believe the NCAA was responsible for damaging leaks of unsubstantiated allegations over the course of the investigation.

Let me be clear again: for any rule violation—substantiated and proven with facts—that the University, its employees, or student-athletes committed, we have been and should be held accountable. We have worked hard to improve our compliance oversight, and we have already self-imposed harsh sanctions.
We deeply regret any violations, but we have suffered enough.
The University and counsel will work diligently to prepare our official response to the Notice of Allegations and submit it to the Committee on Infractions within the required 90-day time period.
We trust that the Committee on Infractions will provide the fairness and integrity missing during the investigative process.
To read more about the NCAA investigation, visit www.miami.edu/ncaa_investigation.


Shalala, Donna

To: Emmert, Mark
CC: *NCAA_EnforcementALL; *ESPN; *Yahoo_Sports
Subject: RE: Lack of Institutional Control
10:44PM

LOLZ.

I'll tell you what I'm gonna do, Mark. I am going to give you until Sunday at noon to make this go away.

At 12:01 PM this Sunday, I am placing a call to a buddy of mine I go way back with. You might know him: his name is Bill fucking Clinton mother fucker.

And then after that I am getting on the phone with one of the kids I mentor. His name is Barack Obama. We are probably going to have a nice little conversation about that "tax exempt" status you enjoy over there at the ol' N C Two A.

By the end of this, Mark, you are not only going to be out of work, but possibly indicted. That's right, indicted. Want to know why? I just don't like you. You look like Newt Gingrich's slack-jawed brother, and I never liked ol' Newt much either.

My university is going to be fine. I am going to be fine. You, my friend, are in for a world of hurt.

You made a drastic mistake. You fucked with the wrong woman.

Shalala, out.

Emmert, Mark

To: Shalala, Donna
Subject: RE: Lack of Institutional Control
10:47PM

Surely that won't be necesarry, Your Grace.

This is all just part of the process. We conducted a fair* investigation in a timely* manner. Surely you of all people can understand this.

Emmert, Mark

To: Shalala, Donna
Subject: RE: Lack of Institutional Control
11:17PM

Donna?

Emmert, Mark

To: Shalala, Donna
Subject: RE: Lack of Institutional Control
4:17AM

DONNA?!

Sorostitute Superlatives 5.0

Hello All, 

Time once again for one of my favorite posts of the year...Sorostitute Superlatives!

I always recommend enjoying these with a nice Long Island Iced Tea or two. Of course, only after you inhale 3 Sprinkles cupcakes for lunch and then skip dinner...you know, 'cus you're dieting (JUST KIDDING...shout out to all my Zetas and DGs and them)

MOST LIKELY TO BE CHAPTER PRESIDENT

Jermaine Grace

1.)    Jermaine Grace – LB(Sean Spence-like)

2.)    Al – Quadin Muhammad – DE (Future First Round Pick)

3.)    Stacey Coley – WR (Lot of Chad Johnson comparisons, and I like them)

4.)    Beau Sandland – TE (Tape reminiscent of Shockey)

5.)    Artie Burns – CB/S(Maybe the highest ceiling in this class)

TOP 5 SLEEPERS

1.)    Sunny Odogwu – OT (Is this our next McKinnie?)

2.)    Ufamba Kamalu – DL (Stores and stores of untapped potential in a huge frame)

3.)    Ray Lewis III – ATH (Would never bet against this kid)

4.)    Alex Gall – OL (The type of mauler you build o-lines around)

5.)    Alex Figueroa – LB(Loves to run around and hit; the next Eddie Johnson?)

THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY

Al Golden is right…too much of signing day was spent complaining about the players we didn’t get. I agree with him, and I think too little time was spent considering how awesome the kids that chose to sign with Miami are. That said, it is good to have in the record the kids we all freaked out about not getting, if for no other reason than to look back at in a few years and see how it all turned out. 

1.)    Matt Thomas – LB, FSU(AKA Marvin Jones II)

2.)    Jay – Nard Bostwick – DT, UiF (My favorite DT in the entire class; Miami lead the whole time)

3.)     Alex Collins – RB, Arkansas (Very similar style to Clinton Portis)

4.)    Jayron Kearse – ATH, Clemson(Freak athlete who could be anything from a receiver to an outside linebacker)

5.)    Skai Moore – LB, Cackalacky (Undersized, but just makes plays; grew up a ‘Canes fan)

BEST FASHION CHOICE

Stacey Coley, rocking the Orange and Green "SWAG" hat, seen at right.

BEST BIG AND LITTLE

That would go to Kevin Olsen and his older brother, former 'Cane great Greg Olsen. One time for old time's sake: ZLAM!

TWO PEAS IN A POD

Kamalu and Odogwu are of the same tribe in Nigeria. They are both physical freaks...literally just massive human beings. Hakuna matata motha fucka.

DADDY'S BOY

We hope, Ray Lewis III. Because if he is there are going to be some caved in facemasks.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Miami signing dual sport studs Ryheem Lockley, Derrick Griffin and Corn Elder after signing day sent a strong message that this staff never quits and will always find talent. And oh yeah, adds three pretty stellar athletes to the class as well. 
   

BEST QUOTE (Anyone reading this blog, he is probably speaking to you)

"There's going to be a lot of people who didn't stand with us who are going to be remembered for not standing with us," Golden said. "'I Stand With The U' means this is tough right now. This is about as tough as it gets in our business. We've got a bunch of coaches and players that are digging in and rather than running are going to fight their way out of it. Now do you stand with us or not? And that is the truth. That is the truth. From my heart, that is the truth."

This was after Al Golden absolutely went Nas on the Miami beat writers and Ethered them for asking stupid, repetitive questions at his press conference…most of which had to do with players Miami didn’t sign. Christ I love this man.

BEST QUOTE #2

"I have a laptop, a couple of clothes, my running shoes and that's it," he said. "My things I want or need, I never had them. Right now it's not my priority. My priority is to get to school and ball out."

Asked if he hopes his roommate brings a TV, Odogwu simply said, "I haven't watched TV for six months, and growing up I didn't have a TV."

"As a freshman I expect to learn everything I can, stay on top of my work, stay on track all the time which I always do," he said. "I'll give my coaches hell to teach me because I want to learn the game. I'll learn all I can. I'll learn the terminology, everything."

Odogwu said, "Oh, gosh, let me tell you: We're coming back. I promise you that. For me, I'm excited. I know how to fight, don't quit. I know everybody wants to bring the name (Miami) back. We're going to go there and take care of business."

Is there any doubt that Sonny Odogwu is going to be a beast?

BIGGEST CREEP

Gatewood takes over and answers the question for him. Saying that AlexCollins has always wanted to be a feature back and not in a "RB by committee" and that was always the draw of Wisconsin.

I mean, anytime you are a grown man and can literally hijack the interview of a 17 year old kid, you have to do it, right?

BEST QUOTE #3

"If im from Cincinnati, Ohio and see that Miami is doing something special how come kids from Florida can't see it?"

This was from Alex Gall’s Twitter. That is a True ‘Cane, ladies and gentlemen.

BEST QUOTE #4

“At Arkansas, I definitely expected some things to be unexpected.”

-Denver Kirkland, on his reason for choosing Arkansas. I…I mean…whatever you say Denver.

BEST QUOTE #5

“I wanted my family to be able to watch me play, so FSU should be good for that.”

-Matthew Thomas, a Miami native.

BEST QUOTE #6

"Hey im sure he did whats best for his future and I cant blame him. I wouldnt wanna compete against me either."

That's Jermaine Grace, when asked about Matt Thomas.   

BEST COMEDY OF ERRORS

Maybe the greatest of all time was Alex Collins suiting up for his Signing Day Ceremony, then disappearing, then the school revealing that Collins’ mother had absconded with his LOI and no one knew where she was. Mama wanted him at Miami, and she knew without her signature Collins couldn’t go to Arkansas, whom he had announced for on Monday night after giving his pledge to Miami coaches earlier in the day. 

Collins responded by getting his (apparent) absentee father to sign his LOI, holding a press conference this morning in a camouflage jacket (talk about rubbing it in to ‘Canes fan, right?), and announcing once more for Arkansas. His mom did not attend, but she DID hire a lawyer from the Cochrane Group. Yes, Johnny Cochrane’s name has now made its way in to this recruiting saga. 

The only thing that would make this better is if Tyler Perry showed up playing a bad cop or something. One day there should be a 30 for 30 on this. “What if I told you that sometimes, a mother’s love knows no bounds…”

THAT'S GONNA LEAVE A MARK...LITERALLY

Rueben Foster originally committed to Alabama. He then switched to the hometown Auburn Tigers, whom he loved so much, he had their logo tattooed on his person. We all know where this is going. Gene Chizik and staff got fired at Auburn, and Foster re-opened his commitment. He signed with...Alabama. Auburn's arch-rival. The lesson, as always...17 and 18 year olds are stupid.

BEST MESSAGE BOARD POST (From TheFranchise on CanesInsight)

This new group of Canes reminds me of some old Hurricanes. Guys like Dan Morgan, Nate Webster, and Ed Reed and Santana and Reggie immediately come to mind. Those guys wanted to be Hurricanes, and they were grinders and hard-nosed guys. They came here when it wasn't the popular thing to do.

When those guys came here we were in the midst of dealing with the repercussions of our last struggle with the NCAA. The Orange Bowl was empty. We would go to games where there was literally 3,000 people in the stands no matter what the announced attendance was. But Freckles Davis, who was a monster at evaluating character, found a group of talented guys who, more importantly, were determined guys. They weren't 5 star guys, and they weren't front-runners; they were guys with that inner drive to succeed that is so tough to evaluate. Our program is in similar condition these days. Our stadium is empty. We aren't the "it" program. But Al managed to find a group of guys who are very talented, and who, most importantly, are no-nonsense grinders who want to be here and relish the opportunity to be Canes.

Look at guys like Carter and Burns and Coley. How much twitter f****try did they engage in? How much diva shyt did they pull? How many times did they commit and de-commit or try to "troll" the coaches and fans?

Think about Alex Gall. Then, think about Martin Bibla, who was a rough and tumble dude from Pennsylvania. Does anyone think that Gall will be anything but a success with his grit and toughness? Come on. This dude's about as close to a guaranteed on the OL as you will find. F#ck the fat 4 star with the puzzy attitude who will cash his chips if things don't go his way. Give me this mean sumbytch any day of the week.

Think about Standish Dobard and how badly he wanted to be a Cane. And this dude has skills to go along with it. When the chips are down, these are the guys who will make plays when the divas are quitting because it's too hot or too tough.

Think about Kevin Olsen, who never got shook even when Fisch split. Then, think about Ken Dorsey.

Think about Gus Edwards, and then harken back to a different era with Steve McGuire or Alonzo Highsmith. Tough dudes with skill.

How about Sonny? You think there's any chance that dude will let himself fail? His mom sleeps in dirt, and his little brother got kidnapped by a 200 pound mosquito last week. This dude is fighting for real life shyt, not thinking about some dumb shyt he can say on twitter. Big Bryant McKinnie was playing the tuba a couple years before he got here. He wasn't a hugely heralded guy.

I applaud our new group of guys and can't wait to see them develop.

I think that sums it up pretty nicely.

We Didn't Skate - Free Agency Edition

Hello All,

SO Al Golden decided to go all Pat Riley and start signing free agents. Since National Signing Day, Miami inked 6 more guys to National Letters of Intent. I figured, since kickoff is getting close, an update for those keeping track at home would be good. So, without further ado, the updated class of 2013. NOTE: I left the original write up here and bolded any edits. Ya know...for laughs and to remind us all how fluid this sport is.

Today was National Signing Day. It was…not ideal.

In all my years following this schandenfreude know as recruiting, this was by far the craziest year. I hazard a guess that we are far from done with news about this class, just because getting here has been so full of momentum swings that there is no way they can stop today.

Never have I seen such a large percentage of a team’s signing class wait until the last moment to make their choice. That invariably leads to much consternation on the part of fans and, more importantly, coaching staffs.

Miami lost some battles today. They won some battles today too. Already the “Fire Golden” legions are forming.

Losing out on some of the players Miami failed to sign today hurts, but I am not so ready to point fingers at the coaching staff. A coach’s job is to identify the players it wants and then recruit them as hard as they possibly can.  I think it is indisputable that the staff did this. As Al Golden said in his press conference, the staff only went on in home visits with 27 prospects...and signed 16 of them.

So to say they failed, unless speaking in a very binary manner, is wrong.

Instead, I think this is the result of a lot of different factors coming home to roost.

First, let’s start with the basics. Kids start getting heavily recruited during their sophomore and junior years. That means the kids that signed today spent almost their entire recruitment being told that Miami was under NCAA investigation, and surely a candidate for the Death Penalty. For two years, it was hammered in to their head that Miami was on Death’s Door...and all Miami could do was make non-definitive statements in their own defense.

Add to the fact that Miami has had to rebuild from the ground up on the field. 

And the fact that Al Golden showed some backbone this class and refused to grovel at the feet of certain coaches…and the results that can bring, which I detailed in my last post.

And the fact that because of a hard cap on scholarships this season, the class size was limited.

And the fact that this year, Miami just didn’t get the breaks they got last year.

What do you get? A highly tenuous platform to recruit from. This isn’t excuse making, it is reasoning. This was going to be a difficult class. We had higher hopes for Signing Day, to be sure. You could see it on Al Golden’s face.

A popular refrain amongst ‘Cane fans these past two years has been “We skate.” It means that we are going to get off with a slap on the wrist at the conclusion of this NCAA investigation. Now that the NCAA messed its drawers, this saying has become more popular than ever.

Newsflash: we didn’t skate. We could wash our hands of this mess today and still have missed out on an ACC Title Game and 2 bowl games, plus countless recruits, because of the cloud that came with it. At the end of the day, the NCAA got us. 

Now we are through signing day, and came out just fine. 

There are a lot of difference makers in this class; we just didn’t get all our targets. That is recruiting. Now it is on the staff to focus on next year’s class, and develop what we already have. That, after all, is how you win…develop your players. And usually it is easier if the players want to be there. And with all the excuses to not sign with Miami this year, the list below is doubly impressive.

On to the breakdown:

First, we start with a couple of HUGE coaching hires that have essentially made the Miami coaching staff the best recruiting staff in the country.

Mario Cristobal (Assistant Head Coach / Tight Ends Coach)

Cristobal came on board to replace George McDonald on the staff, and it was a grand slam hire. Cristobal won a title as an offensive lineman and as an assistant coach with this program in the past, and had FIU doing things they had never done before when he was surprisingly fired by Crazy Pete Garcia following a rebuilding year. Cristobal will probably not be around for long, as he will be a head coach again. But until he leaves for greener pastures, he will be a great recruiter, given his ties to the South Florida area, and a good Tight Ends Coach.
UPDATE: Left to be OL coach at Alabama. Grrrr.

James Coley (Offensive Coordinator)

When Jed Fisch, who we love here at Stein on the Sidelines, left for the Jacksonville Jaguars 3 weeks before signing day, our buttholes puckered. So what did Al Golden do? Nothing, except grab a Nick Saban tutored Miami native (who happened to be FSU’s Ace recruiter) to take over. If this guy recruits up to his reputation…well, sometimes life is unfair. And the Seminoles and Gators will quickly learn how that feels.

Now on to the players.

QB

Kevin Olsen (Wayne, NJ)

Or as he is known on the message boards, “Baby Jesus”. The younger brother of former All American Tight End Greg, Olsen is considered the QB of the future, and has been for several years now. He is still growing, and every time he is seen he appears to have added more weight, which makes sense given that all of his brothers were huge. He is the son of a legendary high school coach and will redshirt behind Stephen Morris this season, before becoming the favorite to win the starting job as a redshirt freshman. ESPN compared him to Louisiana Tech’s Colby Cameron…the most common comparison is a bigger, stronger armed, right handed Kellen Moore. Those are very good things when you look at the talent being assembled around him. Chose Miami over Wisconsin and South Carolina.

RB

Augustus Edwards (Tottenville, Staten Island)

Edwards became a man in much demand at the end of the recruiting cycle, as he went from a Syracuse commitment to yet another Miami / FSU battle. He went down to the last day before making his decision. He is a favorite of James Coley, who most likely will look to use him in a Lonnie Pryor / Quad Hill fashion…a big hybrid running back – fullback that can be used as a ballcarrier, a blocker and a receiver while being paired with a more traditional tailback. Essentially, Edwards, the nation’s #1 ranked fullback prospect by Rivals, is another versatile prospect in a class full of them.

Corn Elder (Nashville, TN)
Elder is a two sport star that signed more than a week after signing day, picking the 'Canes seemingly out of nowhere. He is small but extremely explosive, a player in the mold of a former 'Cane by the name of Albert Bentley. Everyone that has seen him play says one thing: "tough". Will also try to play point guard for the basketball team. Absolutely great signing at a position of need.

WR

Stacey Coley (Northeast High)

Coley was the best receiver prospect in  the state of Florida. He is smooth and polished, and plays with “swag” (go to the 1:40 mark…or the 4:35 mark…really just watch the whole thing because it is incredible.). Buzz began to build around him when we has a sophomore and tape of a tryout (go to the 1:57 mark) for a 7 on 7 team was released. In the tape, he made Tracy Howard (a 5 star player and #1 corner in the entire class of 2012) look silly, and went toe to toe with Deon Bush. There was much rumor of off the field issues (namely that was is a punk on the field and uncoachable, which remains to be seen), but Golden decided he was worth the risk, and Miami won a head to head battle with FSU for his services.

Derrick Griffin (Rosenberg, TX)

This is a giant wideout prospect at 6'6" and more than 210 pounds. Rated as the No. 3 overall receiver prospect in the country by Rivlas, Griffin was a long time Texas A&M commitment, but reported grade issues lead him to pick Miami over the Aggies and Auburn nearly two weeks after signing day. Will go to prep school for a semester before transferring into Miami, where he will start off playing basketball in the winter and then football in the spring.

TE

Standish Dobard (New Orleans, LA) – Early Enrollee

Dobard is a rare bird…a top recruit from SEC country that picked Miami early, never wavered, and then helped recruit players to come in and compete at his position. He is 6’5”, 235 lbs and has no problem blocking. Will benefit immensely from enrolling early, as he will go through UTough and learn the playbook in the spring, giving him a very good chance of getting snaps at the tight end position and on special teams.  Had offers from all the big boys in the SEC.

Ryheem Lockley (Saluda, VA)

Lockley is a 100% lock to be going to prep school…the always beloved gray shirt. He is a very impressive athlete at 6’4”, 217 lbs. This is another steal from the backyard of Virginia and Virgina Tech, and says he will most likely be a tight end/ receiver hybrid for the ‘Canes…but as someone who believes in putting elite athletes that could go either way on defense, I want to believe he might be an edge rusher as well. Chose Miami over reported offers from UVa, VTech, West Virgina and Florida.
UPDATE: Did not qualify. Headed to prep school, where he will play receiver and tight end before hopefully transferring to Miami in December.

Beau Sandland (Pierce C.C.) – Early Enrollee

This is THE instant impact recruit of this class. Sandland is a 6’5”, 250 lb monster that has a tape reminiscent of guys like Jeremy Shockey and Kevin Everett.  This guy has the potential to take the offense from very good to elite, almost on his own. In the last 3 games of last season we saw what happens when the tight ends produces …40 points each time out. “Enter Sandland” is more talented than anyone we had on the roster last season, and is being brought in for one reason…create mismatches and wreck gameplans.  Chose Miami over Arizona State and Nebraska.

OL

 

Alex Gall (Cincinnati, OH)

The type of recruit you love. He is nasty and profiles as an interior lineman. His high school is a perennial powerhouse, and he committed early, took no visits, and became a recruiter for the ‘Canes. Not much more to be said…this is the type of guy that becomes the glue of an o-line. Had offers from Lousiville, Illinois and Cincinnati according to Rivals.

Hunter Knighton (Princeton, NJ) – Early Enrollee

Knighton is, by all accounts, a nasty nasty player with a lot of athleticism whose rating was hurt by not having a set position. Knighton could play any of the three o-line spots or on the d-line…but will start off at tackle most likely. This staff has a type of guy they like to recruit more than others, and he is it…well spoken off the field, mean between the lines, and quiet enough to stay out of the spotlight. Chose Miami over Boise State and Boston College.

Sonny Odogwu (Hargrave Military Academy) – Early Enrollee

Odogwu is the definition of a ‘Project’, but could end up a superstar. Odogwu is 6’9” and looks more like a power forward than a football player, and has elite athleticism at the position for a man his size. He is raw, having moved from Africa as a 16 year old, but with a couple of seasons on the scout team could develop in to the type of player they do College Gameday features about. Maybe the highest ceiling of anyone in the class, and with the depth we currently have at the position, worth the gamble. Chose Miami over Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Mississippi State.

DL

Julio Derosier (College of the Sequoias)
Derosier is a late add to the class. He is a tall, powerfully built prospect who probably profiles similarly to Kamalu, listed below. The coaches have identified defensive line as the position on this roster most in need of immediate help and depth, and Derosier is part of the solution. Most likely will not set the world on fire, but a big, strong edge setter is always in high demand. The late riser, a Homestead native, also reported offers from Oregon and Washington.


Ufomba Kamalu (Butler County C.C.)

Kamalu is another tall, athletic Nigerian to add to Odogwu in this class. He is listed to be 6’5” or 6’6”, and right around 280 lbs. He will most likely be an edge setting defensive end; this was an off the radar recruit who came on board with only a couple of weeks left before Signing Day. While many fans are panning him already, I love the signing. His tape says that he will be able to set the edge and fight through blocks. He has the potential to develop into someone with JJ Watt’s size, and if his athleticism is as high as his coaches say, he could be an absolute handful for opposing offenses. He also has the potential to slide inside and play tackle, giving Golden and Crew yet another versatile defensive lineman to mold, just like Olsen Pierre, Jelani Hamilton and Jake O’Donnell before him. He came on as the Junior College season progressed, peaking in the National Title game, in which he had 2.5 sacks. Auburn and West Virginia were the main competition for his signature.

Naim Mustaffah (Alpharetta, GA, via Oklahoma State)
A "Waiver wire" addition that initially committed to UGA and then signed with Oklahoma State. He participated in spring ball before deciding to leave the program. He told the coaches at Hawaii he would be transferring there, but then signed with Miami. I don't know what the fuck any of that means about his mind state, but the reality is that this kid is 6'4", 240 lbs and was a Top 20 DE recruit according to several sources. Will sit out 2013 as a transfer redshirt and then have 4 years of eligibility starting in 2014.

Al- Quadin Muhammad (Ramsey, NJ)

Elite prospect as a rush end from the elite Don Bosco program. Chose Miami over Alabama and Notre Dame two days before those two squared off for the national title…yes, he is pretty damn good. Will most likely figure in to the rotation as a freshman, both with his hand down as a traditional end and in the Tyriq Mccord role from last season. Future first round pick.

Ernest Suttles (Tampa Gaither High via Nebraska)

Suttles signed with Nebraska on Signing Day and went through spring practice there before getting kicked off the team for fighting a teammate, allegedly with a beer bottle. He will get a second chance in Coral Gables after sitting out a year per NCAA transfer rules. Suttles is 6'5", 250 lbs and still growing. He came to football within the last two years as he previously played only basketball. He profiles as a strongside end that could crash the pocket or, if he grows enough, and interior pass rushing defensive tackle. Really solid late get. 

LB

Devante Bond (Sierra C.C.)

Bond is a pass rush specialist whose main attribute is undeniable speed. He is a smart player who could potentially become an everydown guy, but his immediate objective will be to bring heat off the edge and spark a pass rush that was non-existent last season. He is what Spencer Adkins could have been for this program…a short, compact edge rusher who can at the very least be an impact player on obvious passing downs. Chose Miami over Oklahoma, Cal, Fresno State and Tennessee.
 UPDATE: Did not qualify. Will try to make it in December.

Alex Figueroa (Stafford, VA) – Early Enrollee

This is the mystery man in this class. Figs was an elite performer as a high school junior and then kind of disappeared due to grades. He was set to play prep school ball this year before getting injured. A lot of “experts” have panned this as a Plan C type, but his highlight tape screams Plan A. Our best player on defense last season was Eddie Johnson, and when he was signed a couple of years ago his tape screamed “fast and physical, but raw”. The same could be said last year of Gabe Terry, who showed promise as a true freshman playing 40 pounds underweight. Figueroa, to me, is the next in that line of prospects…fast, violent, and raw. Also, when you have guys like Terry and Johnson on the team that are…to be polite…a little out there, it is nice to have insurance. Figs will most likely redshirt but as an early enrollee might find himself playing minutes in packages and on special teams.

Jermaine Grace (Miramar)

Grace was the Broward County big school defensive player of the year, and when you watch his film you see a lot of what made Sean Spence great. Grace plays with reckless abandon and is always willing to come up and thump people, as exemplified by his big hit on a 265 lb running back in the Semper Fi All Star Game. While Grace weighs in at 208 lbs on his 6’2” frame right now, he will end up in the 225-235 lb range and be an asset in the passing game as a coverage linebacker as well. Grace played at one of the best programs in South Florida and is no stranger to big games against big opponents. Grace is a great pickup to continue the pipeline started last year with Malcolm Lewis and Tracy Howard. Chose Miami over Tennessee, Texas A&M and Louisville.

Walter Tucker (American Heritage)
Tucker was a very late addition to the class. He is a world class hurdler who originally was set to go to Clemson to compete in football and track, but switched to Miami when the Tigers tried the ol' bait and switch.  The coaches will start him at linebacker.

DB

Artie Burns (Miami Northwestern)

Burns is perhaps the best athlete in this class, and certainly the most explosive. He is 6’1” and will probably end up around 200 lbs, but has the talent to play either corner or safety..a la Deon Bush last season. When that is combined with world class speed (he was the fastest hurdler in the nation as a junior and has Olympic potential), you get a guy that will contribute early. Burns will be a terror as a kick blocker, and could see time in the return game as well. Miami’s biggest competition for him was LSU. FSU and Alabama…that says pretty much everything you need to know when it comes to defensive backs.

Jamal Carter (Miami Southridge)

Carter is the best size/speed combo Miami has recruited at safety since Ray Ray Armstrong.. He can come up and hit or drop back in coverage, and is deadly on the blitz. He will compete from day one to get in to the safety rotation, and between Burns, Carter, Bush and Rayshawn Jenkins, Al Golden has turned a weak spot in to a position group of tremendous talent in only two signing days. Chose Miami over LSU and Clemson.

Corn Elder (Nashville, TN)
Elder is a two sport star that signed more than a week after signing day, picking the 'Canes seemingly out of nowhere. He is small but extremely explosive, a player in the mold of a former 'Cane by the name of Albert Bentley. Everyone that has seen him play says one thing: "tough". Will also try to play point guard for the basketball team. Absolutely great signing that will start out at DB but could end up at running back or receiver and will definitely contribute on special teams.

ATH

Ray Lewis III (Lake Mary Prep)

Yes, he is the son of THAT Ray Lewis. While the Ray the Third played at a small school and is not the biggest kid, he has done nothing but dominate since he was in middle school…and it is hard to deny those bloodlines. He has the potential to line up on offense at running back or in the slot, or on defense in the secondary, but we all know one thing…every play, he will fight his ass off. He will do whatever it takes for this program to win, and he will do it with a smile on his face. Some things are inarguable. One of those things is that having a Lewis on the field is never a bad thing for the Miami Hurricanes.