Golden and staff pounding recruiting trail

Signing Day is still a month out and until the ink is dry, verbal commitments are theory. That said, Al Golden and staff have attacked the recruiting trail the past few weeks and are proving tireless in their pursuit.

As a program, the Hurricanes had become stagnant and complacent the past few years and this injection of new blood is proving infectious. Since the bowl loss to Notre Dame – the final nail in the coffin of an inexcusable 7-6 campaign – Golden and the Miami recruiting machine have gone balls out as time is of the essence.

– New Years weekend Golden and staff made their presence felt at the UnderArmour All America game, with personalized notes for individual players. Miami was the only school to add that personal touch and while it may be too little too late this year, it’s a step in the right direction and shows the culture is changing. By next year’s UnderArmour game, expect UM to be a bigger player in the eyes of recruits.

– Days later Golden and staff reached out to Belen Jesuit Prep linebacker and current commit Nick Menocal. While Menocal remained firm in his commitment, he was on the verge of taking some visits to other schools recruiting him but after speaking with Golden, decided that he’s Miami bound and doesn’t need to test the waters. He’s aiming to be on campus in June and is a life-long Cane who has dreamed of playing for his hometown program.

– Tight end remains a priority and aside from inking Brennan Carroll to coach the position (as well as the Son of Pete heading up recruiting efforts), Golden is targeting many recruits nationwide.

– Carroll’s California ties have put Miami in the running for wideout Devin Lucien, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound receiver from Encino. Lucien is a four-star who is also looking at Nebraska, Colorado, Michigan, Arizona State, UCLA and others. Lucien is set to be on campus this weekend and has officially been offered a scholarship.

– In years past it seemed Miami was the program always getting poached closed to Signing Day, but that’s a trend that could change. Miami Central defensive back Thomas Finnie wasn’t receiving much love from Miami’s former coaching staff, but Golden and crew were able to sway Finnie back to Coral Gables at the final hour, as the local product was headed to South Carolina before sitting down with UM’s staff. Golden received rave reviews for this one after driving all night from Tampa after visiting current commit Anthony Chickillo. Golden’s meeting with Finnie took place at 6am after an all-nighter.

Golden is going after two more slated to head to the Palmetto State with four-star teammates – defensive back Cortez Davis and running back Marlin Lane – both out of Daytona Beach Mainland High. Position coaching changes at Clemson have put both somewhat back on the market and both have received UM offers.

– Golden’s northeastern ties have two defensive ends excited about Miami. Paramus Catholic High’s Marquis Wright is headed to campus for an official visit in a few weeks and the four-star prospect has been talking with defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio since his Temple days. Wright is a Pittsburgh decommit who is also looking at Maryland, North Carolina and Michigan State while Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt defensive end Noah Spence has Miami in the mix for 2012, due to a respect for Golden that was also formed after seeing what he did at Temple and coming from that region of the country.

– The search to replace double duty punter / kicker Matt Bosher remains underway. Golden and staff have reeled in junior college transfer Dalton Botts to battle for the job of punter in ’11. Botts is a three-star ad will focus on punting while Miami will have a full time kicker on board. No more wearing two hats this upcoming season – something that seemed to wear Bosher down as the season rolled on.

– One-time Ohio State commit and current Coffeyville CC wide out (and son of Cris) Duron Carter is seriously thinking UM. The three-star wideout is also looking at LSU, Oklahoma, Florida, Iowa and others. A family relationship with Micheal Barrow is the glue and as of now Miami is the team to beat.

– Barrow’s Homestead ties also helped form a relationship with defensive end Ricardo Williams, who verballed to Miami over the weekend. Williams is a three-star prospect who was originally thinking Butch Davis and North Carolina, but changed his tune as soon as Golden and the Canes were interested.

– Quarterback is another position Golden is looking to build depth and some new names have been added to the mix. Orlando Lake Nona’s Kevin Sousa recently got an in-school visit and scholarship offer from Golden and the Canes are also on the trail of Dwyer’s Jacoby Brissett.

– Michigan decommit Dallas Crawford is a defensive back out of Ft. Myers and the three-star prospect has Miami his top choice, though North Carolina, Southern Cal and West Virginia are all said to be in the mix.

– Since ‘losing’ quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and defensive back Albert Jean-Louis, Golden has received commitments from Botts, Finnie, as well as offensive lineman Taylor Gadbois and defensive end Olsen Pierre. Miami also has defensive back Jeremy Davis back in the fold after a year at Milford Prep.

A few were lost, several were gained and more appear to be on the way. Those worried about the Miami Hurricanes and this 2011 recruiting class can start breathing a little easier as Golden and his wrecking crew are making their presence felt – not just in south Florida, but nationwide.

Depth is being built, positions in need are being targeted and come Signing Day there should be more surprises than letdowns. Stay tuned.

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