2009 is proving to be effective instead of exciting. Void-filling and solid, instead of up, down and all around.
An ounce of drama remains, regarding top-ranked running back Bryce Brown. While the verbal to Miami is still in tact, Team Brown has made it clear there will be no news on Signing Day, as they play the game and go through the process.
With Mark Whipple calling the offensive shots and big brother Arthur Brown already one year in the program, the Canes are still the team to beat… but it’s definitely taking something away from the excitement of Signing Day when your top prospect chooses to mull over a decision he made and confirmed almost a year ago this time.
Sheldon Richardson looked to be a guy who would give Miami a Signing Day boost, but the St. Louis prospect announced earlier that he’s sticking to his Missouri commitment. The Canes went hard at the five-star, but the DT/TE chose to stay home. Same for OT Marcus Hall, who stayed local and committed to Ohio State a few days back.
Miami doesn’t look like there will be any Signing Day surprises this year, which is obviously good and bad. For every Richardson or Hall who got away, those who verballed with the Canes days, weeks or months back, are sticking to their commitments. Sadly, in this ‘instant gratification’ Internet society, the process makes the fans numb.
The Canes inked nineteen commitments today and according to ESPN, reeled in the seventh-ranked class. Par for the course regarding the fan base, many in Hurricane Nation focused more on the ones who got away instead of those who came aboard.
Fans are suckers for hat trickery and last minute signing day hijinx. ESPN U provides half a day’s worth of coverage, in an effort to fill a need feed the hype machine. Last year, Miami was knee-deep in the Signing Day hoopla. A healthy dose of national champions from Northwestern and Booker T. Washington. Last minute commits televised live. It was a shot in the arm for a program hurting talent and depth-wise.
A year later, a different feel as Shannon and staffed filled needs, flew under the radar and started locking down commits last spring. Today “signing day” was a formality in the sense that early enrollees were already on board. Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s isn’t as exciting as a full day of chain-yanking, as kids draw out the process.
Adding four to five offensive linemen simply isn’t as sexy as bringing in half dozen top flight receivers. For some, losing a Kayvon Webster felt worse than gaining a Billy Sanders. Why, I don’t know.
Four to five new members added to to the secondary today, yet people lament a three-star who defected late for South Florida. Ray Ray Armstrong and Jamal Reid on board at safety and corner, but some folks prefer to sweat losing Webster?
Proof that some fans are lost causes, impossible to satisfy. Crying the blues on a doom-and-gloom message board has become more trendy than logic and optimism.
Sanders, an early Miami commit who defected for UCLA, recommitted to the Canes. The 6’4″ and 235 pound tight end helps fill a much-needed, big time void… yet some still focus on the ones that got away. Amazing.
For those who say Shannon couldn’t close. you’re off base. Closing is more than signing day – it’s the process down the stretch. Reeling in Rutgers commit Malcolm Bunche weeks back is closing. Same for Shayon Green, a Georgia prospect already committed to Purdue.
Landing Armstrong and Dyron Dye at the UnderArmour game is closing. Keeping Luther Robinson and Oliver Vernon on board, when both long-time commits started getting distracted as February approached; that’s closing.
Each late commit each as big as getting Sanders back day-of.
Miami is coming off 7-6 and hauled in the seventh-ranked class. A year ago, 5-7 and the top-ranked class. Shannon’ first year, less than two months on the job and he still backed into the top ten when he first proved he could close.
Six teams finished ahead of Miami this year. Four were in the BCS. The others, last year’s preseason number one and the past two national champions. After them, a program that went 19-19 the past three seasons. Fiesta Bowl loser Ohio State finished ninth. Orange Bowl winner Virginia Tech came in 18th. Rose Bowl loser Penn State didn’t even crack the top fifteen.
What other 7-6 teams are selling their program and rebuilding project the way Shannon and staff are? No one. Depth is being built at all the right positions. More freshman will have an immediate impact this fall. Last year’s superstar newbies are coming back proven sophomores.
Today wasn’t a flashy day for the University of Miami, but it was a much-needed, effective one. Those who aren’t excited by this class, check out last year’s depth chart and pencil in this most recent class. There’s reason to be excited.
A hearty welcome to this year’s freshman class.
Ray Ray Armstrong (ATH)
Malcoim Bunche (OL)
Dyron Dye (DE)
Shayon Green (DE)
A.J. Highsmith (ATH)
Mike James (RB)
Jermaine Johnson (OL)
Prince Kent (ATH)
Brandon McGee (DB)
Lamar Miller (RB)
Stephen Plein (TE)
Curtis Porter (DT)
Jamal Reid (ATH)
Luther Robinson (DT)
Billy Sanders (TE)
Oliver Vernon (DE)
Brandon Washington (OL)
Jared Wheeler (OL)
Cory White (TE)
Only name missing is Brown, on vacation, fasting away and heeding the advice of mentor Bryce Butler. Should that situation work itself out, with Brown sticking to his commitment, Shannon will have again outdone himself and pulled in a stellar class.
Even without Brown, there’s a lot of meat on the bone with these nineteen.
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thanks for calming my emotions... ur right... go canes
I was hoping to get Sheldon. I was sold that he was coming to The U. But..hey it wasnt for him. As far as Bryce. Something is telling me that he is coming. I know he is. But great sing. Cant wait for Spring Practice and The OU game...lets goo canes. My favorite out of this class would have to be...Brandon McGee. Him and Harris at CB....nice.
ZarOKoN
First off, let me say I am not one of those fans. I am really happy with this years class. But I want to say one thing...
...HOW 'BOUT THEM 'CANES BLOWING OUT WAKE!!!! It stinks that a team like Wake is down here and the place was empty. People like me that decided to go got a great night of McClinton lighting it up and rushing the court when the game ended. My brother, pops, unle and I had a great time. And to think that that were the tickets we chose when buying the tickets vs UNC. Also took a picture with Jacory Harris and he has to be the nicest individual I have ever met.
I was heard the Richardson's grade's aren't very good and he might have to get the grades up before he plays for Mizzou and that could take a year or two to accomplish and once that's done he could choose another school. Is this true?
M-I-A-M-I FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!
A very strong class we have coming in and i`d like to welcome each and everyone of them to the U family..Whether BB comes or not we still have guys in this class that will contribute big in the coming year..I agree as to why some focus on losing KW..to me it seems hes not willing to compete for a starting position as the case with another kid that left the program because of that reason..im excited to see the growth of this team..DAU
I would have liked to see one or two more OL and I would be bit more comfortable. Otherwise awesome year, considering the 7-5 record and a bowl loss to end the season. Rated number 7 at ESPN, 11 at Rivals, and still we have people that want to look at the negative side of things. WTF people, what is your problem. We are right there in recruiting with teams that are in the hunt for National Championship every year, yet there are still a large amount of you who don't see us put the pieces together. What the heck do you all want. We could have signed eight 5 stars, ten 4 stars, a couple 3 stars, and you would still find something to complain about. I think we did great considering we have been playing at the level of mediocore teams, but recruit with elite. Do me a favor and get on this train and shutup, or just get the hell off and go somewhere else.
As far as the dilemma with Bryce Brown, same for you man. Get on the train to the NC, or go play somewhere else. We don't need individuals on this TEAM. Either be a part of what is going to be something big, or go away. You have had long enough to make your decision. Enough said!!!
Kavyon Webster.... hope you get layed out and torched all day by our stud recievers.... can't believe how you disrespected the U man.... poor taste in the way you chose your team.... you don't deserve to have any canes clothing touching your skin..we don't need somebody who wanted the easy way out anyway.... hmmmm... compete with best.... or go get quick playing time at usf.... bad decision
Thanks to the recruits who made their commitments and stuck by them like real men. Congrats and welcome to the U.
UKNOW
I'm very excited that Ray Ray signed with the Canes. Spence and Ray Ray should be a great combo for the Miami Secondary the next few years.
It's also great to see another "Highsmith"!
Bring on the Sooners!
GO CANES!
we don't NEED bryce!!! STOP SWEATING this PUNK!!!THE U SIGNING CLASS IN 2010, 2011, 2012 WILL BE LOADED!!!...LETS GO CANES!!!
Some troubling comments from Shannon on Sunsentinel.com...
"Shannon said there was no conflict in philosophy with Nix — before repeating his preference for a conservative offense."
"Did you watch Ben Roethlisberger?" Shannon said, referring to the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback in the Super Bowl. "What did he do? He managed the game."
Sure, but he also made plays.
"You are going to make plays when you manage the game," Shannon countered.
I don't like what I'm hearing. We need an aggressive, attacking offense, not more of the same.
Why can't Randy see that?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/sfl-flspmikec05sbfeb05,0,3525598.column
Great insight!
I love the fact that we're bringing some hogs on the O line. Shannon did a great job addressing needs. I can't wait 'til next year. We'll be tested early with Oklahoma and FSU.
Go Canes
Well spoken. Another ditty that everyone is sleeping through: Shannon did this with about 1/2 a coordinator. Whipple just got hired & we've got white noise on the DC radar.
I'm thrilled with this class, because of just what you said AC: it fills the voids, regardless of the missing BB. Not a shot at him; none of these guys are playing for Brown--they chose the U today, yesterday & last month. That's the kind of athlete we like.
If you're pulling for hype, you're going to miss the small successes that make a program great. Go rent NCAA 09 & make a fantasy team.
79-52? WAY TO PROFANE WAKE, BOYS.
Go Canes~