Randy Shannon and staff continue to deliver on the recruiting trail. On Wednesday night, Miami received and oral commitment from Bradenton Prep senior wide receiver Jermaine McKenzie.
McKenzie, a 6-foot-1, 170-pounder with 4.41-second speed, had originally committed to Alabama, but backed off that commitment when Mike Shula was fired weeks ago.
The Canes lost a few recruits when Larry Coker was fired and could lose a few more if Mario Cristobal accepts the head coaching position at FIU, so it’s only fitting that The U catches a break regarding another school’s firings.
McKenzie caught 17 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns this season and has returned seven punts for touchdowns. He stated that Miami is his dream school and was sold after last night’s in-home visit from receivers coach Marquis Mosely and tight end coach Joe Pannunzio.
McKenzie, supposedly has the grades and test scores to enroll at UM. He’s the 11th player and fifth receiver to commit to the 2007 signing class. Leonard Hankerson (St. Thomas Aquinas) committed on Tuesday adding to an already impressive list including Daniel Adderley of South Carolina, Taurus McKinley (Glades Central) and Kayne Farquharson of El Camino (CA) Junior College. Farquharson will enroll in January 2007.
It’s no mystery the Canes were weak at wide receiver. Recruiting the hell out of that position entering 2007. Shannon has clearly addressed this need and made it a priority his first week on the job. The back-to-back signings of McKenzie and Hankerson are huge and it’s something the past administration failed to accomplish.
Miami’s 2006 class featured wide out Sam Shields, an impact player, as well as George Robinson. The suspension of Ryan Moore, the erratic play of Lance Leggett and the injury to Darnell Jenkins put a hurting on the Canes aireal assault this past season.
The addition of five new receivers in 2007 will ensure the Canes aren’t weak at that position for much longer. Shannon has also made a push to go back after Phelon Jones, a former Miami verbal from Mobile, AL who has since expressed interest in LSU. The Canes staff will also revisit Graig Cooper, another Miami verbal who is now flirting with Ohio State and Florida. Stay tuned.
Congrats to Coach Shannon and his staff. Keep up the great work!
(And bring on Dirk!)
.:Canes305:.
as I stated before…..I’d rather have Randy Shannon as my head coach than have him recruiting against us !!! This decision is already starting to pay the dividends. I’m so ready for next season………big pimpin
I am very pleased that the U has given Randy Shannon the opportunity he so deserves. I am pleased with the choice and I am looking forward to the seasons to come with Randy as the man in charge.
Jermaine is a friend of another Alabama verbal, Tampa Plant’s Robert Marve. Certainly one of the finest QB prosects in the nation and hopefully someone that the Canes staff will target in an effort to change directions and head to Coral Gables.
As a Plant grad myself, it would be great to see Robert making us all proud by staying in-state and helping lead Miami back where it belongs.
JMG
Tampa
Is there any chatter on who the defensive coordinator will be or will Shannon continue to be the defensive play caller?