After this morning’s news regarding two linebackers booted from the Miami program for sexual assault, the Hurricanes needed something positive—and got it late afternoon when 4-star running back Jordan Scarlett pledged his allegiance to “The U”.
Scarlett is a 5’11”, 210-pound prospect out of nearby St. Thomas Aquinas. He was previously committed to Florida Atlantic, but decommited late June and has been showing up in a handful of U-themed social media pics—visiting UM’s campus, sporting the new-look Hurricanes uniform and certainly leading folks to believe a commitment was forthcoming.
Scarlett announced his intentions via Beaverton, Oregon during ESPN U’s telecast of The Nike SPARQ championships. He chose Miami over Florida State, Ohio State and South Carolina.
“I definitely wanted early playing time, two is the education and how the family atmosphere is around the school campus,” Scarlett said.
Scarlett is the tenth-ranked running back for the 2015 Class and will join a backfield that (should) include Duke Johnson, a senior next year, as well as Gus Edwards, Walter Tucker and Joseph Yearby.
After striking out on a handful of running backs this past National Signing Day—including Dalvin Cook, who chose Florida State and Brandon Powell, who flipped to Florida last-minute—Miami needs a back like Scarlett to stick next February.
Aside from the Scarlett pick-up, it’s also being reported that his St. Thomas teammate Sam Bruce has also chosen Miami.
Bruce is also a 4-star prospect and is ranked the sixth-best wide receiver in the 2016 class. He is Miami’s sixth verbal commitment for ’16 and is the nephew of former NFL wide receiver Issac Bruce.
Bruce chose Miami over Notre Dame, Ohio State and Alabama and announced his intentions this evening on the AutoNation Sports Report show on 560 WQAM with Larry Blustein and J.T. Wilcox.