Signing Day… the latest

Signing Day is officially here. We’ll update this post as things progress. It’s late afternoon now and it seems things have quieted down a bit.

Miami’s last big name guy they were waiting on was Deonte Thompson and he committed to Florida within the last hour. Par for the course, the Canes message boards are in meltdown mode… chastising the 18-year old for his decision instead of focusing on the 20 or so new additions to The U. Get your priorities in check, people.

How about what Randy Shannon was able to poach or steal back from Florida? Demarcus Van Dyke signed with Miami this morning, after verballing to the Gators back in December.

The Canes also nabbed Allen Bailey, a linebacker out of Georgia who was down to Miami and Florida and went with The U.

Regarding losing Thompson, it is what it is. Welcome to big time college football recruiting. The Belle Glade, FL product is headed to the home of the current National Champions.

In the end, Thompson proved to be caught up in the recruiting game, promising a “signing day shocker” which he delivered. Thompson had been talking up The U, wearing Miami gear, downplaying Florida, flirting with Southern Cal and in the past few days there were rumors that Florida State entered the big picture.

As of last night, Miami assistant coaches were feeling good about their chances, but as Signing Day approached, that good feeling slipped away. I’m sure more will come out on that later. Right now, it reeks of 2005 when Antone Smith played everyone like a fiddle with his last minute decision to become a Seminole.

While I’d have loved Thompson’s skills at The U, I can do without these childish Signing Day hijinx and I believe coach Shannon feels the same way. I can’t see him kissing ass or licking boots to get a 17-year old kid to Miami. Here’s the game plan, here’s his vision, get on board or get out of the way.

More to come as the day progresses, but for now, here’s the official list of signees. Welcome to The U, gentlemen:

Daniel Adderley
Allen Bailey
Jared Campbell
Lee Chambers
Kayne Farquharson
Orlando Franklin
Graig Cooper
Harland Gunn
Leonard Hankerson
Tyler Horn
Robert Marve
Jermaine McKenzie
Joseph Nicholson
Adewale Ojomo
Chris Perry
Demarcus Van Dyke
Doug Wiggins

On a side note, one more big, collective “kiss my ass” to ESPN U and their lack of coverage on Signing Day. I swear to the good Lord above that in the 2+ hours I watched their worthless program, I saw absolutely NOTHING on the University of Miami.

I saw Ron Zook and heard all about Illinois. I heard more flip-flopping from Urban Meyer and stroking of the National Champs. I heard about Louisville, Rutgers, USC and a slew of other programs – but nothing on Miami. Nothing on coach Shannon taking over. Nothing on the class the Canes are putting together, the solid recruits they stole last minute from Alabama and Florida or the fact that Shannon has done what he’s done coming off a 7-6 season and with only one month on the clock.

The bias continues… but I’ll never get used to it or accept it.

.:Canes305:.

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