Chalk up another big time recruit for the Miami Hurricanes. Lauderhill (FL) Plantation High School DB Brandon McGee is headed to The U. Randy Shannon and staff have reeled in another big fish for 2009. McGee chose Miami over Tennessee, Florida State and Ole Miss and had over thirty scholarships offers.
“My whole family loves Miami. My uncle pressures me every day about going to Miami,” said McGee during the recruiting process. Looks like Uncle is a happy man today, as is Hurricane Nation.
McGee is a four-star recruit and is listed as the nation’s 10th best corner, overall. 6’0″, 180 lbs. and running a 4.45 forty, McGee is slated to graduate early and if so, will be another early enrolee.
The U was a good fit for McGee, based on the current standings regarding cornerbacks. Miami has two seniors, one junior, one sophomore, no redshirt freshman and one true freshman. CB is a must-have position for the 2009 class, with Miami looking to nab 2-3 more corners.
Miami now has 11 verbals towards the 2009 class. McGee is the fifth four-star the Canes have landed this off-season, four three-stars and a two-star. Running back Bryce Brown currently is the lone five-star for next year’s class.
IN OTHER NEWS: Only two non-prep school-bound Canes are waiting for the NCAA Clearinghouse OK. Linebacker Brandon Marti and safety Joseph Wylie are the last men standing, with the good news hopefully coming this week.
Most recently admitted, defensive tackle Jeremy Lewis was on the field Monday morning for his first practice as a Cane. Defensive end Gavin Hardin learned over the weekend that he was cleared, both on the heels of C.J. Holton coming aboard last week.
Brandon Washington, Zack Kane, C.J. Odom and Antonio Harper are the four signees who didn’t make the grade, while Holton, Hardin and Lewis did (as should Marti and Wylie).
A far cry from the eight potential signees ESPN reported wouldn’t make the cut a few weeks back.
I welcome Brandon aboard and hope that he doesn’t jump ship. As we have discussed with prior recruits, it’s great that he verballed but I’ll be satisfied when he signs on the dotted line. Verbals don’t stop other programs, especially Urban Myth, from saying whatever they need to, to get players away from us. This may not end up being as great a class as last year’s, but this is just as crucial. It’s a nice start for 2009 and I’m sure we can get some more gems in here (hopefully Orson Charles) and continue to defy the national haters. Great job to the coaches!
-Columbus Cane
I welcome Brandon aboard and hope that he doesn’t jump ship. As we have discussed with prior recruits, it’s great that he verballed but I’ll be satisfied when he signs on the dotted line.
Columbus, I’m as skeptical and cynical as the next guy and I won’t be content until it’s a done deal either.
That said, we’re living in the day of the early enrolees, which really helps. Get these kids on campus in January after they graduate (high school) early and then it’s official. We don’t even have to wait until Signing Day anymore and any last minute change of heart crap.
First off, the site looks great Chris – good job brah.
Secondly, as Columbus said, you said and I’ve come to say … until the name is signed on the dotted line, the ink is dried, and the L.O.I. is faxed on National Signing Day – I’ll save my complete excitement. I offer a “soft verbal” congrats to the following: Bryce Brown, Brandon McGee, Mike James, Prince Kent, Luther Robinson, Olivier Vernon, Curtis Porter, A.J. Highsmith, Billy Sanders, Cory White, and Stephen Plein. After February 6th, I’ll offer a “solid verbal” congrats to them.
Hopefully these kids “words are stronger than oak” like the great Frank Cushman’s dad said in Jerry McGuire. It’s good to hear some of the kids speak of how they wanted to commit and get the recruiting process out of the way so they could concentrate on their Senior season. It’s also good to hear all of the kids speak of the family atmosphere they felt while visiting with the players and coaches at The “U”. What other school in the entire nation has that type of environment, that type of fraternity, that type of close knit brotherhood? None. None at all. ‘Canes that have gone onto NFL”U” – coming back in the off-season to train where they poured their heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears. ‘Canes that have gone onto NFL”U” – coming back to where they’ve helped continue the legacy of excellence that was laid before them and by those before them as well. It doesn’t happen anywhere else like it does down at “tha bottom”. If all the 2009 kids stay true to their word, depth shall finally start to return and The “U” will be even closer to where it needs to be.
I’ve read an article that has said Boss Man Shannon is working his players too hard … by someone who obviously doesn’t remember the ‘Canes of old who were never outworked or tired heading into the 4th with their 4 fingers raised above their heads. I guess the candyass that wrote the article would rather have the Coker Country Club ‘Canes – which I’d be willing to guarantee is the candyass writer’s exact physical personal work ethic. I guess Boss Man Shannon, Coach Hurtt, Coach Barrow, Andreu Swasey, UM medical staff, etc. know nothing about how to condition South Florida athletes. They probably learned nothing from that one place, what’s it called .. the absolute top of the chain .. where everyone dreams about playing … the N .. F.. L .. I believe it’s called? They probably learned nothing on how to run a camp or practice from spending time there at all. They probably know nothing of how much of an advantage it is to work and train in those conditions .. how it gives their players an edge both physically and mentally over opponents as well. I’m sure Lance Armstrong never thought he had superior athletic and mental advantage over anyone either, due to his overly intense training and focus it created that he knew others couldn’t duplicate.
Let me quote someone who even this candyass ‘Cane beat writer might recognize:
“They don’t understand the dog days and the legwork .. see, I don’t train for reps, I don’t train for time .. I train for failure. I like to see my body fail, I like to stay in bed the whole day b/c that’s how tired I am from working. I know there’s nobody working as hard as me. I know you weren’t up at 6:30 in the morning. I’m tellin you, it ain’t about my past, it’s about what I do in this off-season.”
– some guy named Ray Lewis
I read an article speaking of the ‘Canes ultimate irrelevance in the paparazzi NCAA world by a prepubescent looking little nino who must abhor and be ashamed of his 305 roots for some reason. Since when did it matter if any national media presence was at your Media Day? Who sincerely gives a flying f*ck if they’re there or not? Does that give your program some kind of instant credibility approval from a divine higher power if some faceman or talk show voice who gets national air-wave time is there? Does that have any kind of affect on how the team prepares or performs? Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t Desmond Howard work for the “Worldwide Leader”? Does he have a twin brother? If not, there was some cat sitting next to Arthur Brown at the UM Media Day that must’ve spent tons of cash to get plastic surgery in order to look like Desmond. Talk about being the ultimate stalker or fan, huh? Getting a “Face Off” John Travolta/Nicholas Cage style, just to look like Desmond Howard? Crazy.
I’ve read an article written by an asinine half-wit female Hoosier grad proving her and once again her “Worldwide Leader” employer’s ignorance toward The University of Miami Hurricanes, stating: “Somebody at Miami will win Rookie of the Year, But … somebody else will be ineligible or in trouble.” Not to forget her response to a ‘Cane fan calling her out about “someone getting in trouble”, and she brought up that Zach Kane was not there at Saturday’s first practice along with 8 other Frosh … I had no idea Zach Kane was on the Miami Hurricane roster or even within 500 miles of the campus. Maybe she can enlighten all of us to what # he got this year and how he’s done so far in the Spring Practices. She does work for the “Worldwide Leader” and I’m pretty sure they have the resources to pull that answer for us all. Oooh, I have my fingers crossed and eyes closed nervously praying that Zach won’t get injured out on Greentree during these Spring Practices. That way he can suit up on August 28th and take the field against Charleston Southern. I can’t wait to watch him in action this year, running through the smoke and all … right Heather Dinich? Right? How many Frosh recruits aren’t practicing again? Eight? Keep up the outstanding display of lazy journalism Dinich, you’ve exceeded and gone above/beyond in carrying on the “Worldwide Leader” ignorance of everything ‘Cane in fine fashion.
Chris,
I like the rolling photos at the top of the blog of the past greats at The U.
-Columbus Cane
I dunno if this helps but according to espn…
McGee discusses commitment to the Hurricanes
ESPNU 150 athlete Brandon McGee talked to affiliate Web site InsideTheU.com about his decision, “It was real important for me to get it out of the way with practice and the season starting and going out the best way I can without dealing with the recruiting process.”
He continued, “I thought to myself why go to another state and help their program, when I have a good program at home that I can help bring it back up to the top.”
McGee’s high school coach added, “Brandon is committed to Miami and that’s what I will tell all of the college coaches. I made it clear to him and said, if you are going to commit, then that’s it. He’s a very mature young man and he told me that when he makes a decision, then that will be it.”
S.Woodward,
Great points. All these “journalists” spewing excrement out of their keyboards and mouths, ignoring what’s actually going on right now with the program, really just reflects poorly on them. It’s like they read articles from the 80’s and just rephrased what was being said back then. The young lady from ESPN obviously had not done her homework, and showed her ignorance. Hopefully the general public wasn’t buying her false claims.
By the way I don’t have nor had any issue with the Cane attitude back then. I LOVED that we wore fatigues to the desert. That was just the mentality – of being ready for war – of course just a metaphor for those too PC to realize it. You do what you have to do to pump youself up and create a chip on your shoulder. I have no issue with Winlsow’s rant. It was after a horrible loss to a garbage Tennessee team in Little Havana, if I remember correctly. Shame on Mark May for chastizing the young man in front of a national audience. We all know the war had started in Iraq and he was not really a soldier. The comparison of football to war is nothing new and is not meant literally, but this grandstander wanted to jump on The U once again. My response was, “You know what he was saying”. We all know what he meant. Stop trying to be Mr.PC.
“Journalists” like these need to be held as accountable as they like to hold these young men. They should be even more-so, given their ages and positions. They can easily influence those who don’t know better, and often put their agendas ahead of reporting what actually is going on. It’s just a shame.
-Columbus Cane
Great article on “The Myth” and his “top one percent of on percent” recruiting and coaching:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/andy_staples/08/12/fla.wilson/index.html