It’s only been a few days since Miami’s newest receiver made it official that he’s headed to The U, but the more and more I read, the more I am digging Kayne Farquharson.
This product of Homestead High took the scenic route to Coral Gables, by way of El Camino Junior College in Torrance, CA. Kayne grew up a Cane and called The U his “dream school.”
Weak at the wide receiver position the past few seasons, a kid like Farquharson is a dream pick up for Miami. Forget that he’s 6’2″, 185 lbs., runs a 4.4 forty and is a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com.
With Kayne, it’s all about the attitUde. This kid oozes orange and green.
He was interviewed in today’s Miami Herald and as sick as I am of the cliche and overused term “swagger” I’ll still use it every now and again. Kayne has that swagger some recent Canes have been missing. Let’s summarize his thoughts expressed in today’s article:
– Feels he has a little bit of Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin in him skills-wise. Calls himself “all-purpose” as a receiver, kick returner and punt returner.
– Immediate goal; beating Florida State. From there, winning the ACC, a National Championship and being in the running for the (Fred) Belitenikoff Award for the nation’s best receiver.
– Regarding opponents covering him, Farquharson stated he feels like he’s in the Matrix and everyone else is in the “real world.” He also knows his brash talk won’t win over opposing defenses, but feels he’ll be respected because he’s a hard worker and a competitor.
– Feels he has a crack at being a playmaker in 2007 because in Randy Shannon’s system, “the best man is going to play.”
– Regarding past Canes he’d like to get in touch with regarding picking their brain and seeking guidance – Santana Moss, Sinorice Moss, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow II. A complete contrast in regards to stories of Ryan Moore shunning the advice of past Miami greats like Lamar Thomas and The Playmaker.
– Stated that his phone will be off from now until spring ball so he can get himself ready to compete for a starting job. Said he’ll bring his A-game and that he’s a talker, “if you don’t like talking, you’re not going to stand me.”
If that doesn’t get the juices flowing, I don’t know what will. I can’t recall the last time a highly touted recruit came into Coral Gables with this much enthusiasm – not just regarding playing college ball, but with such an undying passion for the University of Miami.
Farquharson doesn’t sound like a recruit – he sounds like a diehard Canes fan about to strap it up and dive headfirst into an incredible experience. He has personal and team goals. He wants to tap into the incredible resource that is the Miami Football Alumni Family and let them make him a better player.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Hurricane,” said Farquharson. “I had to wait and wait and wait. But I believe I’m a good reason why people always say the best things come to those who wait.”
And wait, he did. Some other tidbits on this new recruit:
– After playing Pee Wee league football, Farquharson put high school football on hold to be the man of the house. His mother (Carrie Pearson) worked the graveyard shift while he helped raised his two younger sisters, Charcarrie and Lashonda. At 13, Farquharson took a job at Winn Dixie to help make ends meet.
– It was a six year sacrifice for Farquharson. He graduated Homestead High with a 3.0 gpa but no college offers.
– Farquharson attended a local football camp organized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A family friend got him a shot at El Camino in California. He saved up, convinced his mother that it was the right move and he took off for the west coast. In a two year span he developed into one of the best JC players in the country.
– Two weeks ago Farquharson led El Camino to its first California Community College championship in 35 seasons. He was named MVP after scoring a 30-yard touchdown on a reception, an 84-yard kick return and a 7-yard reverse.
– Former Miami receiver coach Curtis Johnson saw one play of Farquharson’s first season before offering him a scholarship. Current coach Marquis Moseley was sold equally as fast.
Kayne is gonna be a big time Cane. Bank on it. This kid has the physical tools, but more importantly, he has his head on straight. There’s no experience for life’s lessons and there’s something refreshing about a young kid who “gets” it.
We’re living in a world where 17-year old high school phenoms are being treated like superstars. Microphones in their faces, recruiters calling the house and getting used to having their asses kissed off the field. The five-star primadonna who waltzes in, expects starting time and makes his demands – that’s all too common in this day and age.
Farquharson is a stand up young man, headed to Miami to play football – not to play high school head games. This kid is just what The U needs and hopefully coach Shannon and staff can add more Canes like Kayne.
.:Canes305:.
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Kayne Farquharson, you are as welcome as sunshine on a rainy day. Our 'Canes have been in a funk, but with players like you coming on board, with the winning attitude you have, we will once again be the team they love to hate that wins !!! Having spent a few years living right across the street from SD high I am very proud to have another deep South Florida young man play on the team I live and die with.
Welcome aboard Kayne. And Chris, I loved the story you did on him....what a stand up guy he is. Now we only need more with his heart !
big pimpin
I'm liking this guy already. Working for something makes a big difference.
Great piece on Kayne. I'm excited for him. He seems like a stand-up guy and he is certainly reminiscent of past Cane greats in terms of attitude and ambition. It is certainly refreshing to see a young man who genuinely wants to play for the Canes. I'm happy that he received his Christmas gifts early and I can't wait to see him out in the Orange Bowl!
I like the talking as much as the next guy, believe me. But I'm about to be to the point that The U should make a rule that unless you actually make plays on the field to change a game, you can't talk. We have these guys talking like the old players from The U, but they have yet to win any big games on the field. Wright has talked and then goes out and makes no plays. Lineman have talked and then gone out and given up 6 sacks against their QB's. So I do like the bravado, but talk on the field and back it up already. Get the play up to the level of your talking. Hopefully Kayne can join the level of young studs Sam Shields, Kenny Phillips, Javarris James and we can build from there. I'm looking forward to the bowl game, which better be a blowout, recruiting and then the 2007 season.