Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated penned a piece earlier today regarding the state of college football recruiting and there was a great blurb on future Miami Hurricane / current Northwestern Bull quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Staples recently accompanied the South Florida Express travel team (including 25 of the state’s top prospects) on an unofficial recruiting trip to four schools from the South, focusing on Southridge High safety Gerrod Holliman tipping his hand by wearing an Ole Miss hat after the Express visited the Rebels.
Players aren’t allowed to visit with coaches on these trips (a written offer can’t be extended until August 1st) but Staples mentions that Holliman might’ve offered a verbal commitment and goes on to explain the difference between a “soft verbal” (if a player will visit other schools) versus a “solid verbal” (a commitment with no other visits planned).
Bridgewater is considered a Miami commit and took this recent Express visit to prove his UM adoration and disdain for Canes rivals:
Ole Miss coaches should hope Holliman and Johnson treat other suitors the same way Miami Northwestern quarterback Teddy Bridgewater does. Bridgewater, who is committed to Miami, preaches the gospel of The U wherever he goes. He also doesn’t entertain many calls from other suitors. “I have a button on my phone that says Ignore,” Bridgewater said. “And I do use it.” When the Express visited Florida State on June 29, Bridgewater laughed when tour guides shooed Express players off the grass at Doak Campbell Stadium. “I’m going to tear up this field in a few years,” Bridgewater said.
Bridgewater on the field at Doak Campbell, rocking his Canes gear, letting anyone within earshot know that he’s all about The U and making it clear that he’s ignoring other suitors — the kid is basically your dream recruit (barring these actions continue between now and Signing Day).
When Randy Shannon talks about recruiting “Miami-style” players and “character guys”, Bridgewater seems to fit that mold. A local kid who sings UM’s praises, wants to be part of this new tradition and let’s everyone know where his loyalties lie — doesn’t get much better than that in the offseason.