More recruiting perspective; Canes class ’10

ESPN released their top 25 list regarding this year’s recruiting haul and Miami fell smack dab in the middle at #13. The rest looked like this:

1. Florida… 2. Texas… 3. Alabama… 4. Auburn… 5. Oklahoma… 6. Florida State… 7. Southern Cal… 8. LSU… 9. Tennessee… 10. UCLA… 11. Penn State… 12. Georgia… 13. Miami14. Michigan… 15. California… 16. Ohio State… 17. Texas A&M… 18. Stanford… 19. Clemson… 20. Washington… 21. Notre Dame… 22. Oregon… 23. South Carolina… 24. North Carolina… 25. Mississippi

On paper and according to some online ‘gurus’, twelve teams finished ahead of the Canes… yet Miami fans remain up in arms over this most recent class. Forget the fact that 28 new kids pledged their allegiance to “The U”, par for the course the focus remains on those that got away, as opposed to those who are on board.

Florida snagged the top spot, a program with two titles in four years. Texas rolled in second, just like they did in last year’s title game. National Champion Alabama was third. Perennial BCS staples Oklahoma and Southern Cal were number five and seven, respectively. LSU – a two time champ this decade – was eighth. Traditional powers Penn State and Georgia rolled in eleventh and twelfth. Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and UCLA were also ahead of Miami. Not exactly bad company.

But what about those behind the Canes? Funny how few focus on that.

Big Ten and Rose Bowl winner Ohio State came in at #16. Feel good story Stanford and superstar coach Jim Harbaugh came it at #18. Dabo Sweeney and Clemson #19. Notre Dame and new coach Brian Kelly came it #21. Chip Kelly and Oregon at #22. The ‘amazing’ Butch Davis pulled in the #24 class.

And what about the flavor of the week-month-year type teams? Boise State, TCU, Utah, Cincinnati and BYU were unranked. So was Bobby Petrino’s Arkansas bunch. So was Dave Wannstache’s Pitt program. Same for Greg Schiano and Rutgers. Same for Mike Leach/Tommy Tuberville’s Texas Tech squad.

Mark Stoops at Arizona or Dennis Erickson at Arizona State? Unranked and nothing to write home about. BCS winner Kirk Ferentz, nada at Iowa. In state rival South Florida, nowhere to be found.

Time for some perspective, Hurricane nation. Miami pulled in a top class in 2008 and followed up with a top ten class in 2009. Gone are the days of promising immediate playing time. The Canes are loaded at some positions and are depth challenged at others.

Offensive line is not a ‘sexy’ pick with recruiting sites. (Seriously, there’s a reason these guys are referred to as the ‘big uglies’.) UM took five o-linemen in this class and filled other voids at tight end and linebacker. Miami got some quality four-star players and some three-star kids that should pan out over time. They also rolled the dice on a few two-star guys and took a ton of premature grief for doing so.

This class should be judged at the end of the 2011 season – not days after the ink dried on the LOI.

Give these kids time to make a name for themselves… and pay attention to your surroundings. The 13th rated class in the nation is nothing to sneeze at. Especially in the wake of 9-4, 7-6 and 5-7. Miami is still rebuilding and this is part of the process. Relax.

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14 thoughts on “More recruiting perspective; Canes class ’10

  1. The Canes needed ol lbs and te and they got it they also got a qb to come in time for spring, and I agree lets embrace the kids who want to be canes and lets get ready for 2010.

  2. I really don't see a problem. If you look at all the different schools in the top 25, there are things you have to think about.

    Look at these other schools. Look at how they did this past year and who their coaches are.

    To me, Miami is right where they want to be.

    I don't think that Urban Meyer would want any part of most of these schools on UF's schedule.

    There are a lot of teams here on the way up, so yeah, this is not a problem.

  3. I love the Canes. And I love my fellow Canes fans. But lately, I've been extremely disappointed with our fans (some – although they seem like the majority). These fans that keep calling for Shannon's job really need to check themselves. Here's why:

    1-Against Wisconsin, we got straight up manhandled up front, on both sides of the ball. Jacory Harris was running for his life the whole game. Coop, Baby J, and Berry had no running room. John Clay, all 260 of him, ran all over the place. We all realized that we needed some big guys up front. The Shannon detractors came out in full force on the blogs, message boards, and radio shows saying that he wasn't fit for the job. We all can agree that the game is won in the trenches. So Shannon signs several big guys with potential on the offensive and defensive lines, therefore taking away from signing kids for "glamorized" positions, to remedy the situation. And the Shannon-bashers come out and say he's doing a bad job.

    2-ESPN ranks the Hurricanes #13 in the nation. In 2008, we were #1 – coming off of a not so great season. (Do you now see the correlation as to why FSU has such a "great" class this season?) You must take into account that most of the 4 and 5 star players are QB, RB, WR, and ATH. No highly regarded QB is going to commit to us while Jacory's got the keys to the car for the next 2 seasons. We got RBs from football hotbeds: FL and GA; and both are enrolled for January. Additionally, we have a stable of RBs already on the roster already: Mike James, Berry, and Redshirt phenom Lamar Miller (Lee Chambers too). WR – we have so many, guys are being asked to think about switching positions; and I firmly believe no incoming freshman in the nation is better than our starters: Byrd, Hankerson, Benjamin, NOR second string: Aldarius Johnson, Streeter, Collier. Maybe they can COMPETE with scout team WRs: Davon Johnson or Kendal Thompkins. But, the Shannon-bashers come out and say he doesn't know how to do his job…After having a #1 recruiting class 2 years ago. The reason why we didn't sign so many glamorized athletes is because WE ALREADY HAVE THEM ON THE SQUAD!…I guess that's not recruiting… It's straight up asinine to say Shannon doesn't know how to recruit.

    3-For all those that say Shannon must go, think about what you're saying. Who's going to replace him? He wasn't even the 1st choice when Coker was fired. No one wanted this job besides Shannon. The cupboard was absolutely bare. If Shannon was let go, and someone brought in and does well, it'd be the same thing Coker is accused of: win with someone else's players. Unless you have the money to help the university bring in a big-named coach, I suggest you try to fall in love with Coach Shannon.

    4-Lastly, I've read and heard people say that they don't care about anything but winning. They don't care about graduating players or running a clean program. What I'd say to you guys is: If you have kids or a younger brother/sister like I do, go tell your own that. Go tell them to just be good football players, drink and drive, steal other students' laptops, beat a girl up, get busted for buying and smoking weed, use a dead person's credit card, and not care about school. If you won't, I'd suggest you don't say that you don't care about anything but winning. Look, I want the Canes to win as much as the next guy. But, I think it's commendable that Shannon is holding these guys accountable and making them men. The winning will come, trust me.

    We need to just embrace the guys that we're bringing in. This isn't the NFL. We can't get a better player on the waiver wire or trade guys. Let's just hope our coaches can develop these guys into great players and great men. We all can admit, that we're going in the right direction. That's one thing we all can admit. Let's keep that in mind.

    Go Canes!

  4. Hey look – it's Daddy Chris railing against the fans again.

    By the way, do you get a bonus every time you use the phrase "par for the course"?

    A sampling:

    – 02/10 – "…par for the course the focus remains on those that got away, as opposed to those who are on board."

    – 01/10 – "Par for the course with sports fans, "winning" superseded everything else."

    – 11/09 – "Par for the course, many are again calling for the head of Randy Shannon after this most recent loss."

    – 09/09 – "Par for the course, the critics are out."

    – 02/09 – "Par for the course regarding the fan base, many in Hurricane Nation focused more on the ones who got away instead of those who came aboard."

    – 11/08 – "Par for the course, the online contingent of Miami's fan base led the cries of 'good riddance'"

    – 08/08 – "Par for the course, a slew of knee-jerk reactions from Miami's fan base."

    – 10/07 – "Par for the course, the doom and gloomers are in full force."

    – 02/07 – "Par for the course, the Canes message boards are in meltdown mode…"

    – 01/07 – "Par for the course, the message boards are blowing up this morning and the emails are pouring in."

  5. Hey look – it's Daddy Chris railing against the fans again.

    1. Is that nickname supposed to be an insult – the fact that I'm a new dad? I don't get it.

    As for 'rallying against the fans' – I'm rallying against the 'idiot fans'. Big difference.

    Those who love and support the program there's no issue with. It the small percentage of morons who do nothing but bitch incessantly, seeming to take zero pleasure out of being a Canes fan and doing nothing more than pissing and moaning every chance they get.

    By the way, do you get a bonus every time you use the phrase "par for the course"?

    … what can I say – I work for a pro golfer, too.

    You're right. I guess I beat up the phrase a bit much over the past few years. Had no idea. I will drop it from my arsenal. Definitely used it too much and there has to be something better.

    Thanks for pointing out. You got me there.

  6. We filled needs this class, loading up on linemen, TE's and then versatile jumbo players who can be plugged in where needed. We already have the skill players and needed the guys who give protection, time and pressure on the other side. I think we did that. As I said before, we got players who want to be part of The U, and not just following who's on top right now like a lemming off a cliff. We want hungry guys who want to compete and have the fire internally. It takes a special player to come to Miami: It's a big city with lots of competition for fan attention; a private school with a smaller population; and coaches who expect you to get it done on and off the field. Not everyone's ego can make it at Miami and I like it that way.

  7. Rivals had us at #24, i think that is more accurate! I am down on the class because of all the talent in south florida this year, and we almost got shut out…even in our own backyard(maimi northwestern)! This class on paper is easily the worst recruiting class Miami has signed this decade! When are we gonna get a legit qb to back up Harris? 9-4 and outstanding grad rates are good, but we have hit the ceiling for a Shannon coached team. Just saying that i appreciate Shannon, but he will not put us in bcs contention.

  8. Rivals had us at #24, i think that is more accurate!

    Norm, no offense, but based on what? Honestly, are you a recruiting guru or expert? Just goes to show you how arbitrary these rankings are if ESPN says #13 and Rivals says #24.

    Sorry, but the whole thing is idiotic — rating kids based on 'potential' instead of results. Rate this class in 2012, not 2010.

    I am down on the class because of all the talent in south florida this year, and we almost got shut out…even in our own backyard(miami northwestern)!

    Miami Northwestern 2010 was a shell of the 2008 team, hence no MNW kids. MNW had five kids drafted this year. Two kids went to Louisville, one to Central Florida, one to South Florida and one to FIU. NOT ONE MNW kids went to a big time program this year.

    In 2008 Northwestern had FIFTEEN kids drafted off that championship team and the Canes got EIGHT of them.

    Case in point, when it's a strong year in Dade County, Shannon has reeled in top talent. There were some good kids this year, but they didn't fit Miami's needs. Shannon turned to St. Thomas for some offensive linemen. Went to Booker T. for Clements. Allen Hurns from Carol City.

    This class on paper is easily the worst recruiting class Miami has signed this decade!

    So you say, but the 2004, 2005 and 2006 classes were better on paper – and were chock full of busts that never panned out. Further proof that "on paper" doesn't mean s**t. Let these kids gets on the field and judge AFTER the fact.

    Miami needed offensive linemen, tight ends, linebackers and cornerbacks and filled their needs. Also landed some quality running backs in this class.

    When are we gonna get a legit qb to back up Harris?

    … next year when the senior class is full of better quarterbacks. 2010 wasn't exactly a stellar year for graduating senior QBs.

    Teddy Bridgewater will graduate Northwestern next year and is already on Miami's radar.

  9. Anyone with a tittle of digging can see how "Cane" this class is. Go watch the Delmar Taylor NSD interview, read a few articles about Kevin Nelson or watch a Jeremy Davis vid & laugh at the "3 Star" designation–these kids are thick with leadership & determination. I don't care who rated them or who didn't. Asante Cleveland goes from a 2 star nobody to the #15 TE because RS wanted him. We filled our needs out incredibly with talented kids who have drive & edge.

    We did exceptionally well. Did we get everyone? No, but we also upgraded at the DL coaching position, which is better than getting Ferguson & Lemonier. Calm down Canes; with everyone else we have, this is the squad that wins you NCs~

  10. From MiamiHerald.com….

    "Minnesota Vikings and ex-UM standout Bryant McKinnie said St. Paul-based offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, the nation's top prospect, told McKinnie, in text messages Thursday, that he is re-considering his decision to go to Southern California and wants to take another visit (unofficial) to Miami “ASAP.'' Henderson announced Wednesday he picked USC over UM and Ohio State but hasn't signed; he's waiting to see what happens with an NCAA infractions committee investigating USC."

    http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/1467105-p2.html

  11. Its not that this class is bad, it's that there was real south Florida talent out there and Randy was unable to fence off our back yard and lost kids, even some at Northwest and Central, to Damn Gators and South Florida. The philosophy needs to be keep the studs at home and fill the voids with kids from elsewhere!! I agree that the criticism is premature, but its a snowball effect, once we start losing kids out of are back yard it becomes exponential!! I'll be interested to see how this current crop of studs at Northwester like Teddy Bridgewater decide to do.

  12. Carl, good info on the henderson kid!! Any idea when he will take that visit?

    This was one of the kids I was disappointed we lost. I was also really disappointed we lost that DL from NY to Florida, he seemed like a Cane!

  13. Looks like one of the true Cane greats, Bennie Blades, isn't too happy with the way the recruiting went down this year either, in regards to keeping the local kids home:

    Miami's inability to sign more elite local players last week concerns at least one prominent alum. “If we allow these kids to leave South Florida and go to the Gators, we will keep starting below the curve,'' College Football Hall of Famer Bennie Blades said. “I love Randy Shannon. But if we cannot start keeping these kids at home, then we have to focus on finding someone who will.'' (UM lost out on some top local players but didn't pursue others.)

    Miami Herald

    Shannon HAS to make sure we dominate Dade and Broward counties in '11, like he did in '08.

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