Weeks back the message boards were blowing up with fans talking about the Canes not focusing hard enough on the wide receiver position.
Randy Shannon and staff had a windfall in 2008, hauling in seven pass catchers – Travis Benjamin, LaRon Byrd, Thearon Collier, Aldarius Johnson, Davon Johnson, Tommy Streeter and Kendal Thompkins. Even though some redshirted and the others are entering their true junior season, fans of The U seemed to feel the position was in trouble.
No wideouts were landed in 2008 and only two were part of the 2009 class – Allen Hurns and Jeremy Davis. A few others left Miami at the altar at the final hour, which most likely helped lead to recruiting coordinator Clint Hurtt being pushed out the door…. which has allowed former Florida receiver, Miami product and current wide receivers coach / receiving coordinator Aubrey Hill to work his magic.
Seems almost as soon as the recent bitch-fest started, the 2011 class began taking shape receiver-wise. Miami Northwestern three-star Eli Rogers started the process weeks back, followed up by four-star Phillip Dorsett out of St. Thomas Aquinas. This week word is that four-star Devaris Daniels out of Vernon Hills, IL is thinking Miami. Thought to be a Notre Dame lock, Daniels can’t make the grade for the Irish and the Canes were his number two. Some are calling him a lock while other sites expect him to make things official any day now.
(A nice little twist of fate as UM has lost its share of top flight recruits due to grades. ND happens to be one of few major programs with stricter academic policies than The U.)
Just under eight months until signing day and the majority of these verbally committed kids will continue taking their recruiting trips – as they should. Whether they make it official in February remains to be seen, but it’s time the self-appointed know-it-alls step off this coaching staff. There’s a reason these guys get paid to do what they do, while he toughest critics take out their frustration on a plastic keyboard.
Where Larry Coker didn’t have a clue how to recruit or develop talent, Shannon and staff have proven the opposite. Needs are being met, players are being developed and depth is being built. No one on this staff needs the unfriendly reminder that wideouts are a necessity. With last year’s two, the three “on board” for next year (as well as those who will still be recruited) and the handful that redshirted in 2008, the Canes will be fine in 2011 and beyond.
Miami remains on the mend, top talent is interested and this staff knows how the game works — recruit the best local talent and cherry pick other ballers across the nation.
Have faith in the process. The Canes are becoming a national power again right before your eyes.
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This article says that Daniels canceled his press conference and is keeping his options open:
http://canespundit.com/2010/06/22/wr-davaris-daniels-commits-to-um/
Thanks for the link.
That's why I stated in the article that some had him a lock and others said he wasn't .
At the end Rogers and Dorsett could wind up elsewhere, too. Until they sign, who knows what to believe.
The point was the fact that Miami coaches are addressing the need at wide receiver -- something many fans online didn't believe they were doing.
I realize that nothing is set in stone until these young men ink in, but if your a canes fan you have to applaud the job Shannon and his staff are doing with these players. Our class for 2011 is shaping up to be a good one, and by february could be a great one. Along with bridgewater, rogers and dorsett among others, we're still in the hunt for alot of spectacular players. Davaris Davis, wayne lyons, and reports are out now that Seantrel Henderson is re-examining his options and the canes remain front runners. Although it's up to Shannon if he wants to deal with the drama Seantrel and his father bring with them. I think you'll see us finish with a top 10 class but there's a long way to go, and performance on the field this season will undoubtably play a major role in alot of these young atheletes decisions. That, and persistance by the coaching staff.