The Miami Herald had some good ink on defensive end Adewale Ojomo in Wednesday’s edition. Click here to check it out.
Outside the fact it was a solid article on the redshirt freshman budding defensive star, it should also serve as notice not to judge a book by it’s cover.
Dig back in this blog regarding some recruiting-related posts and read some of the comments left by fans. Seems a lot of folks are way too caught up in the hype regarding the rankings sites like Scout and Rivals give high school seniors.
While Ojomo is starting to terrorize offensive backfields this season and preps for his third career start in what looks to be a breakout year, two years ago the Hialeah High defensive end was an under the radar three-star prospect.
Ojomo chose Miami over NC State, but also had offers from Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Not USC. Not Ohio State. Florida and Florida State didn’t want him. Texas and Alabama never came calling. Miami was Ojomo’s biggest fan and in turn, the hometown kid stuck with the hometown school and now potentially looks like the next great Canes defensive end.
Randy Shannon preaches about keeping local talent home and he’s also talked about not getting caught up with rankings.
Instead, Canes coaches are focusing on finding Miami-style kids and athletes who are a good fit for the program, instead of someone highly touted simply because a few websites say so. Shannon and staff are looking for diamond in the rough-types and kids with that intangible not measured by recruiting websites looking to make a buck and stir the pot.
For those caught up in the rankings, remember that Ed Reed wasn’t highly touted and chose Miami over Tulane. Santana Moss came to The U on a track scholarship and was thought to be too small. Same for Roscoe Parrish, regarding his size.
Take it back a few decades and remember that a guy like Russell Maryland wasn’t a big time recruit and contrast to some four and five-stars Miami reeled in earlier this decade. Kids who wanted to get on board after Miami was a national championship caliber program, instead of the type of kids who signed on to be part of the rebuilding and resurgence.
Kids like Ojomo are part of the rising, the same way guys like Moss and Reed were ten years ago.
It’s three-star players with five-star heart who are going to make Miami into “Miami” again.
Chris, right on the #’s with that final sentence brother……”3 star players with 5 star hearts”. More of those young men and opponents WILL be saying again, “Oh hell, we play the ‘Canes this year !”
There is a great article about Matt Bosher in th ePalm Beach post go to http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/10/29/1029um.html if you wanna check it out.
allcanes…how bout dem HIALEAH BOYZ!!! LOLOLOL
I couldn’t agree more. Ojomo is like many of the prior great players. Rankings and stars are great but give me an athlete who wants it anytime. Guys like Reed and Moss as you said weren’t highly ranked but they had athleticism and out worked everyone. Problem with too many of the guys lately is a lack of the work part. I remember reading about the line pushing a truck with other linemen in it on their own. Things like that are guys who want to be the best and are willing to shed the sweat and blood to get there. Luckily Randy is getting it back to where it needs to be. He seems to have learned a thing or two from Jimmy about ignoring the stars and just getting players.
It is coming. The storm is a brewing and soon enough the Canes will be back.
For the good or for the bad,,,,,,, the only stars I ever cared about are the ones that are made, or not made, while wearing the green and orange.
As always right on the money. He is going to be a big time player next season. As a diehard canes fan i am looking forward to the good times again once all the young talent grows up a little bit more and truly become MIAMI HURRICANES.
GO Canes