Based on a decade’s worth of sub par coaching and failed expectations, it’s understandable why many have a wait-and-see approach regarding this new Al Golden era … but those following recruiting have to be excited with this staff’s tenacity as Signing Day approaches.
As of this morning Miami now has a dozen verbal commitments, landing a handful this past weekend, including former Michigan commit and defensive back Dallas Crawford, Hargrave Military linebacker Antonio Kinard, South Broward running back Kevin Grooms and West Hills (CA) kicker Matt Goudis. who was committed to both Boise State and Michigan before changing his mind a third time, after being sold on the Canes.
After a busy weekend hosting recruits in Coral Gables, Golden and recruiting coordinator Brennan Carroll headed to Southern California for a sit down with Inglewood wideout Patrick Onwuasor, a three-star being heavily recruiting by a dozen west coast schools.
On the quarterback front, Miami is still chasing down Dwyer’s Jacoby Brissett (slated to visit in the coming weeks), as well as St. Thomas’ Jake Rudock. Orlando-based Kevin Sousa – a current Wake Forest commit – will be on campus this coming weekend, with coaches looking to sway him south.
Tampa’s Anthony Chickillo remains verbally committed to UM and while Florida and Tennessee are also in the mix, the highly-touted defensive end still says the Canes are the team to beat and he’ll be on campus this weekend for another sales pitch.
Some other names Golden and staff are chasing, according to the Miami Herald: wideout Rashad Greene (currently committed to FSU) … wideout Marquis Lee (on campus this weekend) … wideout Duron Carter (son of Cris; grade issues) … quarterback Tom Savage (Rutgers transfer) … tight end Brandon Fulse … tight end Nick O’Leary (FSU is the fave) … tight end Ryan Malleck (Maryland commitment) … defensive back Byron Moore (top JUCO corner) … defensive back Rashad Wadood (Arizona State commit) … Denzel Perryman (has UM, UF and FSU in dead heat) … Georgia-based defensive end Ray Drew (UM one of five faves; loves Golden) … defensive end / tight end Bryant Dubose (UM or Louisville-bound) … tackle Johnathan Jenkins (Ok. State commit) … tackle Marquise Wright … tackle David Moala.
However the next few weeks shake out, there’s tons to be excited about regarding this newly-titled “Golden Age” of Hurricanes football. Miami’s new leader is building a hungry, young, aggressive staff that seems to get “it” and they’re working tirelessly on the recruiting front. Players are being swayed from other programs, whereas the past few years it seemed Miami was losing kids late in the process.
Furthermore, fences seem like they’re being mended regarding some local high school programs that Randy Shannon and staff burned bridges with. CEO Golden and his staff of fence-menders are finally making thing right again.
IN OTHER NEWS : New offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch arrived on campus today and it slated to start recruiting this evening, barring he finishes all his UM-related paperwork. One more bit of good news regarding the hire; the fact that Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks made one last-ditch effort to keep the up and coming coordinator out west.
Seattle fired offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates after last weekend’s Playoff loss to Chicago and offered the newly-vacated position to Fisch, which he turned down.
If Fisch was good enough for Carroll to offer a NFL offensive coordinator position, then the portion of Miami fans questioning the hire should take note. Fisch is seen as good enough to do this job at the next level and he still chose to join Golden’s staff, taking a step down to the college ranks.
NO BRAINER WE WOULD GET RECRUITS, YET COACH GOLDEN HAS BEEN A 3 STAR GENERAL…….WHERE ARE THE 4 AND 5 STAR RECRUIT PULLS…WE NEED A BIG TIME QB…CHARLIE STRONG STOLE OUR 4 STAR BRIDGEWATER…CAN GOLDEN STEAL SOME 4 OR 5 STAR HIMSELF? LETS HOPE SO OR HOPE THESE GANG OF 3 STAR RECRUITS ARE DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH…LAST BUT NOT LEAST MIKE LEACH WOULD HAVE MADE A GREAT OC!!! WHO IS THIS FISCH GUY???LOL…AND SOME OF THESE OTHER COACHES ..KIRBY AND GOLDEN ARE SOME REAL OUT ON A LIMB CHOICE MAKERS…HOPE THEIR LUCKY!!!! MIAMI 4 EVER!!!!! PWGPLOL
If you really believe Carroll offered Fisch the Seattle OC job, then I have a really nice bridge I would like to sell you.
That's just pr to try to make the Fisch hiring more palatable to doubters.
If you really believe Carroll offered Fisch the Seattle OC job, then I have a really nice bridge I would like to sell you. That's just pr to try to make the Fisch hiring more palatable to doubters.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Fisch, who was the Seattle Seahawks' quarterbacks coach before taking the UM job, is among the candidates to replace Jeremy Bates as Seattle's offensive coordinator.
No offense, but why would ESPN give two shits about selling Canes doubters on the new offensive coordinator?
If it was a beat writer who said it or if it came out of Miami, your claim might have some weight … but no one nationally is trying to 'sell' that story for the sake of UM doubters.
What's up wth Devin Lucien? Suppoedly Michigan only wants him for a DB yet he is primarily a WR (4 star) and Michigan people are themselves questioning it, saying I guess he's going to go to Miami instead now. Anyone?
MY NAME IS CANESINCEDAY1 AND THE U WILL NEVER WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP WITHOUT HIRING MIKE LEACH IF THERE ARE ANY DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS HE WILL MAKE PLAYERS STAND IN THE SHED HE IS THE GREATEST FOOTBALL MIND THAT THERE HAS EVER BEEN I WOULD MARRY HIM IF I COULD ANYONE WHO DOESN'T THINK HE IS THE GREATEST EVER IS STUPID LOL. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE GETTING HIRED? THEY'RE NOBODY!! MIKE LEACH… HE IS THE ANSWER.
I understand the idea of schools going after the 4 and 5 star recruits, but in my opinion, the star system for rating high school recruits is way overrated. You have to consider a lot of things when recruiting but I think Golden is trying to find the right people to work in HIS offense/defense. Just because they are a 5 star recruit, doesn't mean they have the will to learn and grow as a player. That was part of Miami's problem in recent years like many have said before, these recruits come to Miami expecting to play instead of having to earn it. Hopefully, these guys get in there like those players at Temple did and work their butts off to do well. Plus, if I'm correct, didn't Jacory Harris come out of high school as a 4 star?
I still find it amazing that 5 players are in the NFL just from the short time Al Golden was at Temple. Once again, I'm sure none of them were 4 or 5 star recruits but they are good enough to play on Sundays, even if they are reserves.
hey allcanes
i'm sure you heard about that mysterious anonymous "letter." in your opinion, do you think that it is genuine or is it an elaborate ruse created by a fan?
Hopefully all of these talented young men realize the oppurtunity before them. They have a chance to be a part of one of the greatest college football programs in the history of the sport and play an important role in restoring it's past glory. These players also need to know that the feeling of self entitlement will be checked at the door, so expect to come in and compete, be pushed hard to reach your full potential and asked to give 110% every snap. Miami wants young athletes who want to be at Miami, point blank. I hope all of these guys have the true desire to become hurricanes and have a serious sense of pride in this program if they ink that letter of intent. This is THE U, and WE WILL win championships again…you can count on it!!!
And just who fed Adam Shefter the bogus report?
Look who Seattle is actually likely to hire:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6038824&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines
Can you for one second compare Fisch's qualifications with his?
It was a plant. I love the canes as much as you do but you need to be more objective.
Mike leach DOES NOT RUN a pro style offense. He is not needed here. Even maryland didn't hire him and at one point he was the front runner. If you want a stable successful program you go with someone like golden. He has brought excitement back to the program. As for 4 and 5 star recruits some pan out and some don't. Give me a 3 star that can turn into a five star that helps the team over a five star that doesn't play up to his potential.
Point is no one knows how good any of these players are gonna be until they start playing but I have 100% confidence in coach golden and staff that they will bring the best out of these players. And no one on the Seattle Seahawks or at ESPN is going to start a rumor just to ease some canes fans concerns for those that have concerns. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The U is in good hands and it's time to stop complaining and start praising
I think Golden and staff have done a nice job so far as I've said in past blogs. It's the 3 star recruits who are the foundation of a program. We've had plenty of 4 and 5 star recruits in the past. How have most of those panned out? I'll take more guys who are hungry, ready to fight to play, than someone who wants guarantees and is afraid of competing. The staff has been relentless so far and I love it. 2 weeks to go.
Columbus Cane
Coming from a very accredited source, Golden and Fisch were both at Dwyer High School talking to Brissett, O'Leary, and Maggitt. I have also been told that "The Big 3" would like to play together.
Yo allcanes, whats your take on the old school uniforms? Been reading stories about golden's attempt to bring back the glory days by starting with the old school look. I know that should help the shop.
You preach from November to February that verbal commitments mean nothing, that they are the whim of a high school kid looking for attention. But now Golden's staff is "locking down" recruits? Laughable. I especially like the one about the kicker who changed his mind twice before, but his commitment to the U is the real deal. Signing day isn't far off, let's try to keep it in our pants until then.
3 star recruits or 5 star recruits.. who gives a crap? The question is can the new staff coach the players up regardless of star rankings. Those 5 star players we went after so hard and landed between 2003 – 2008 sure the hell never did anything. I'll take a 2 or 3 star kid any day of the week as long as he works his ass off and has a passion to make UM football a success again. (Ed Reed anyone?)
Beast said it best, Miami fans need to get on board or GET OFF THE SHIP! You wanna know why Pete Carrol got 5 stars to come and sit the bench at USC?? Their fans didnt bash, bash, complain, bash, complain. Root for the Canes or go join the lame Gator fans who hate us. But stop the baby crying
You preach from November to February that verbal commitments mean nothing, that they are the whim of a high school kid looking for attention. But now Golden's staff is "locking down" recruits?
Verbal commits mean nothing, but the point is that the culture is changing.
Setting up slews of visits, getting kids excited, getting kids to switch their commitment to Miami from somewhere else (when the Canes are usually the ones left standing at the altar) — it's simply a reason to get excited.
Miami finally has some professionals at the helm and they are proving that there is much more of a science to recruiting in 2011 than this last staff was acknowledging.
The proof will be in the pudding in a few weeks, but let's not nitpick over a phrase like 'locking down', grammar police. C'mon now.
Hey Anonymous, who the hell is Darell Bevell? You act like the Seahawks just offered one of the greatest minds in the game. Bevell has been an OC four a few years and before that has been nothing more than an assistant.
Carroll just spend the past year working with Fisch and he understands Seattle's system. You really don't think he was offered the job and that someone at Miami planted the story in an effort to appease fans who weren't happy with the hire? Care to tell us how many shooters were on the grassy knoll while you're at it, conspiracy theorist??
Fisch is an up and comer and he's a good fit for Miami and Bevell is hardly the name you're making him out to be to sell your point.
Simply because an ESPN staffer tweets that Seattle's interested in Fisch does not equate to an offer to Fisch.
Unless, you have another source…
Do you?
Other than the Seattle OC to Fisch, your piece is dynamic and analytically sound.
canesinceday1 you're a hater and we don't need the caps JACKASS. Leech will never be a coach at UM. There will be championships back in Miami. Do you see how hard this guy works. Jimmy Johnson was a work-a-holic, can't dispute that hard work produces results. It seems like there aren't enough hour in the day or week for this new staff.
Just wait and see instead of talking shit.
Go Golden Go Canes
Who cares about stars! Randy got a LOT of 4 and 5 stars!
Those 4 and 5 stars = 7 wins per year. 5 Star players are not the answer!
Simply because an ESPN staffer tweets that Seattle's interested in Fisch does not equate to an offer to Fisch. Unless, you have another source… Do you?
I don't and I could give two shits about debating it.
Al Golden hired Jedd Fisch to run his offense. There was a report that Seattle wanted to keep Fisch. Fisch honored his commitment to UM and landed in Coral Gables yesterday.
If Fisch is good enough for Golden, he's good enough for me.
Kehoe coming back? Wow, I hope this rumor is true! It seems to be gaining some momentum here lately! The quarterbacks might actually get time to throw the ball to the right team with Kehoe coaching up the offensive line.
What is this "anonymous letter" I keep hearing about?
I love it how many in this fanbase piss and moan about some of the coaches hired to this staff, stating that they were "bad hires", before they've even coached a down of football at Miami. They quickly point to their past resumes and bring up shortcomings in their statistics at previous schools, as if they're going to be coaching the same calibur of athletes, facing the same opponents and working with the same staffs. They do the same to recruits, when they have a change of heart in commiting. Suddenly, these fans label recruits as not being "Miami guys". Give me a break, Can we show some support and confidence in our head coach and his staff? Can we show some patience with these recruits and their decision making process? Mike Leach or any other fiqure of your imagination for an OC ain't happening, GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!
ML,
I love it. Well said.
Be part of the solution, not the problem.
Columbus Cane
To Jack, who said: "Who cares about stars! Randy got a LOT of 4 and 5 stars!
Those 4 and 5 stars = 7 wins per year. 5 Star players are not the answer!"
Recruiting and Star rankings do matter, more than most believe. 5 star recruits turn into studs at the next level at a higher rate than 4 star recruits, and 4 star recruits turn into college studs at a higher clip than 3 stars. Here are some articles explaining this fact:
http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/2008/1/21/1614/43228
http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/2008/2/5/182213/3837
http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/2008/3/17/71811/4082
Shannon failed to develop this 4 and 5 star players to their full potential, but those highly rated recruits were still the best players on the team.
For example, Brandon Harris, Sean Spence, Allen Bailey, Marcus Fortson, Ray Ray Armstrong, Travis Benjamin, Lamar Miller, Greg Cooper, Damien Berry, Oliver Vernon, Ramon Buchanan, Vaughn Telemaque, Seantrel Henderson, were all 4 and 5 star players and made up the majority of the Canes starting lineup in 2010. There are probably some I left out, too.
Some have not lived up to their full potential of course, but that's due to poor coaching and player development. Without the talented players shannon managed to bring in, his record would have been WAY worse.