Signing Day is still a month out and until the ink is dry, verbal commitments are theory. That said, Al Golden and staff have attacked the recruiting trail the past few weeks and are proving tireless in their pursuit.
As a program, the Hurricanes had become stagnant and complacent the past few years and this injection of new blood is proving infectious. Since the bowl loss to Notre Dame – the final nail in the coffin of an inexcusable 7-6 campaign – Golden and the Miami recruiting machine have gone balls out as time is of the essence.
– New Years weekend Golden and staff made their presence felt at the UnderArmour All America game, with personalized notes for individual players. Miami was the only school to add that personal touch and while it may be too little too late this year, it’s a step in the right direction and shows the culture is changing. By next year’s UnderArmour game, expect UM to be a bigger player in the eyes of recruits.
– Days later Golden and staff reached out to Belen Jesuit Prep linebacker and current commit Nick Menocal. While Menocal remained firm in his commitment, he was on the verge of taking some visits to other schools recruiting him but after speaking with Golden, decided that he’s Miami bound and doesn’t need to test the waters. He’s aiming to be on campus in June and is a life-long Cane who has dreamed of playing for his hometown program.
– Tight end remains a priority and aside from inking Brennan Carroll to coach the position (as well as the Son of Pete heading up recruiting efforts), Golden is targeting many recruits nationwide.
– Carroll’s California ties have put Miami in the running for wideout Devin Lucien, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver from Encino. Lucien is a four-star who is also looking at Nebraska, Colorado, Michigan, Arizona State, UCLA and others. Lucien is set to be on campus this weekend and has officially been offered a scholarship.
– In years past it seemed Miami was the program always getting poached closed to Signing Day, but that’s a trend that could change. Miami Central defensive back Thomas Finnie wasn’t receiving much love from Miami’s former coaching staff, but Golden and crew were able to sway Finnie back to Coral Gables at the final hour, as the local product was headed to South Carolina before sitting down with UM’s staff. Golden received rave reviews for this one after driving all night from Tampa after visiting current commit Anthony Chickillo. Golden’s meeting with Finnie took place at 6am after an all-nighter.
Golden is going after two more slated to head to the Palmetto State with four-star teammates – defensive back Cortez Davis and running back Marlin Lane – both out of Daytona Beach Mainland High. Position coaching changes at Clemson have put both somewhat back on the market and both have received UM offers.
– Golden’s northeastern ties have two defensive ends excited about Miami. Paramus Catholic High’s Marquis Wright is headed to campus for an official visit in a few weeks and the four-star prospect has been talking with defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio since his Temple days. Wright is a Pittsburgh decommit who is also looking at Maryland, North Carolina and Michigan State while Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt defensive end Noah Spence has Miami in the mix for 2012, due to a respect for Golden that was also formed after seeing what he did at Temple and coming from that region of the country.
– The search to replace double duty punter / kicker Matt Bosher remains underway. Golden and staff have reeled in junior college transfer Dalton Botts to battle for the job of punter in ’11. Botts is a three-star ad will focus on punting while Miami will have a full time kicker on board. No more wearing two hats this upcoming season – something that seemed to wear Bosher down as the season rolled on.
– One-time Ohio State commit and current Coffeyville CC wide out (and son of Cris) Duron Carter is seriously thinking UM. The three-star wideout is also looking at LSU, Oklahoma, Florida, Iowa and others. A family relationship with Micheal Barrow is the glue and as of now Miami is the team to beat.
– Barrow’s Homestead ties also helped form a relationship with defensive end Ricardo Williams, who verballed to Miami over the weekend. Williams is a three-star prospect who was originally thinking Butch Davis and North Carolina, but changed his tune as soon as Golden and the Canes were interested.
– Quarterback is another position Golden is looking to build depth and some new names have been added to the mix. Orlando Lake Nona’s Kevin Sousa recently got an in-school visit and scholarship offer from Golden and the Canes are also on the trail of Dwyer’s Jacoby Brissett.
– Michigan decommit Dallas Crawford is a defensive back out of Ft. Myers and the three-star prospect has Miami his top choice, though North Carolina, Southern Cal and West Virginia are all said to be in the mix.
– Since ‘losing’ quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and defensive back Albert Jean-Louis, Golden has received commitments from Botts, Finnie, as well as offensive lineman Taylor Gadbois and defensive end Olsen Pierre. Miami also has defensive back Jeremy Davis back in the fold after a year at Milford Prep.
A few were lost, several were gained and more appear to be on the way. Those worried about the Miami Hurricanes and this 2011 recruiting class can start breathing a little easier as Golden and his wrecking crew are making their presence felt – not just in south Florida, but nationwide.
Depth is being built, positions in need are being targeted and come Signing Day there should be more surprises than letdowns. Stay tuned.
It's so exciting to think about the changes that are coming for the U.
Of course there is a ton of talent in the state of Florida, but it is a big country and it's good to know we will be recruiting in places that were probably never really looked at until now.
7 players out of Northwestern? That was crazy!
While it's true that whatever Al Golden assembles, it's going to come down to coaching.
One thing I do know is this…
The Canes absolutely cannot be worse than they have been.
I've been following the recruiting news like a hawk and love Golden's passion and effort regardless of surprises or let downs on signing day. For the situation he walked into and an embarrassing beat down in our bowl, I think he is doing incredible! We know he can recruit now, we know he can handle the business and media side of coaching….that's 2 for 2. now lets see him DEVELOP players. Although I am not crowning him the next big anything yet, I have a really really good feeling & love his body of work so far. C-A-N-E-S!!
So I will ask this question again. Why has damien berry not been invited to the shrine or senior bowl games? He is the closest back have had to hitting 1000 yards in years. He needs to be invited to one of the games.
We'll see where we stand at the end of signing day. We still haven't cracked the EPSN top 25 draft classes list…
go canes.
Good work as usual. I am starting to wonder about Frank Haith's job security. What's the buzz? Would love a post on your thoughts?! Keep up the good work.
Would love to help the coaching staff in recruiting. I have indirect ties with wideout Devin Lucien. I grew up in Northridge, CA, attending Crespi Carmelite High School and attended the University of Miami.
I understand Devin will take an official visit to the U but I could be available to speak about life in Miami. I know longer live in Miami, currently working in Houston, TX.
Question…. How many scholarships are there this year. Last I knew it was 15 and Harris leaving makes 16. With I believe 9 taken already, how do they ensure we take the best possible players. When more offers go out than the U has, is it first come first serve?
I've read some reports saying Jeff Stoutland has accepted a position with Alabama. If this is true, is there any possibility Al Golden will pursue Art Kehoe to come back to The U to coach all the talented offensive linemen the Canes currently have? Since his hiring, Al Golden has spoken ad nauseum about how he wants all the Old Canes to come home and remind the current players about hard they had to work to establish The U's legacy. What better person to do that than a fiery guy like Art Kehoe?! I feel like he would be a perfect fit. Thoughts?
Seems like most the high profile juniors are stayin put. Wish harris would reconsider due to the fact that there won't be a season next year. The players are sayin no season unless its a full one the nfl and goddel is sayin no season unless the players hand over a bunch of money and allow for rookie salary caps
Players also want these new hit rules to go away but goddel wants them to play two hand touch so no one gets hurt.
What's the status concerning Jeremy Davis? Is he still a Cane recruit?
I agree with BPuckett, you can get all the players, but if they aren't playing up to their potential a couple of years down the road, it won't mean much.
Big loss for those of you that didn't hear yet:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/hurricanes/miami-hurricanes-offensive-line-coach-jeff-stoutland-resigns-1181341.html
Can't say I blame the guy, since Miami's situation is in flux. Not to mention he will have the opportunity to make much more money that he could with the Canes. Of course people always will knock him for 'not sticking it out' or whatever, when he's trying to make a better opportunity for himself and his family in the long run.
Unfortunately, as of right now, it seems like this is 2007 all over again
Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch has been hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Miami Hurricanes.
I like Golden's passion! That being said, all the hype & promise sounds like when Shannon came on board as hc. I know Golden has come in late in the recruiting game, but face it…the guys he has gotten are 3 star & lower. We have (maybe ) one impact recruit in Chickilio. Golden could not keep under armour all Americans ol Jackson, qb Bridgewater or cb Jean-Francis. I was all happy about keeping the 3 coaches we needed most, now 2 of them are gone. I wanna believe in Golden, just haven't seen much to make me believe again!!
Norm4 – Jackson was always a soft verbal, Bridgewater doesn't appear to be Golden's type of QB (based on others he's looking at) and Jean-Louis stuck with the hometown team late in the process when the staff that recruited him was let go.
Judge Golden on what's in his control — not a few kids that got away, who might never have signed in the first place. (Especially someone like Bridgewater, who had been teetering since before Randy was canned.)
45 visits set up this month, getting kids on board from programs where there have been coaching changes (or going after local kids that Shannon snubbed). Golden and staff are recruiting their balls off and there will be more "haves" by Signing Day, than a few "have nots" who didn't return after Shannon's firing.
Norm 4 – I'd rather see 3-star players who want to succeed (ala Leonard Hankerson) than 5-star players who are stagnant (Kyle Wright, Jacory Harris, Robert Marve.)
Well put. Don't form an opinion on Golden based on people that were halfway out the door before he came, turnover in staff, or the program's state right now. Those kids were already halfway gone when they watched Shannon and our team underachieve early this year. Any new staff will experience some turnover, that's way it's called a change. And he inherited a program that has underachieved for way too long and got publicly humiliated as bad as ever in a bowl. Don't even judge him on what he did at Temple. Judge him on what he does as a Cane. So far, things have looked incredibly positive. He is a hard-nosed professional that I believe will fix our discipline issues on the field (penalties and executing the scheme). He is great so far with what he can control. That being said, let's carry that over to the field and develop these guys as they grow up. Honestly, who cares if they are 3 stars or under? I will take a disciplined 2 star over a talented, penalty happy, under achiever who came in as a 5 star. I hope Golden takes anyone he brings in to the next level. That will translate into success.