Golden and staff locking down recruits

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.

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