Special thanks to http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/signingday/ for providing live coverage of today’s events. Today is the most exciting day in college football!!! It’s like Christmas for coaches and fans.
Loving the enthusiasm today of Cane Nation!!! Twitter and Facebook are blowing up with Canes fans.
Here are some random thoughts and updates as they occur:
By 9am EST Randy “Duke” Johnson, Danny Isadora, & Deon Bush had all faxed in their LOIs. No surprises here, as all three had verbally committed. But worth mentioning the top all-purpose back in the country (think Reggie Bush with power), a road-grading guard to make a path for him, and a play-making defensive back could all be cornerstones of monster class.
Early enrollees: The big news here is quarterbacks Preston Dewey and Gray Crow arrived in time for the spring semester. While we fully expect either Stephen Morris or Ryan Williams to emerge as the starter, both guys give themselves a better chance to play early on by enrolling early. Dewey appears to have the bigger arm and the higher upside. Linebacker Raphael Kirby is also on campus. I can’t help but to compare him to Sean Spence after watching his highlight reels. Also on campus are offensive lineman Taylor Gadbois and Erick Flowers along with corner Ladarius Gunter (JUCO transfer), and linebacker Josh Witt.
QB Preston Dewey could be a key to the class.
Sleeper Alert: I am hearing nice things about defensive end Jake O’Donnell, a 3 star prospect from Pennsylvania. At 6’6 233 he runs a 4.6 forty. Once he fills out he could be a strong run stuffer as well as a nice pass rusher.
9:52 AM Tracy Howard is coming to the U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Best corner in the nation makes signing day even sweeter!! This kid might play right away. The U nation is erupting right now!!!!!
Welcome to the U, Tracy Howard!!!
10:02 am: Reggie Northrup to FSU. A bit disappointing, but with Kirby in the mix and some of the other young linebackers on the roster, UM should be fine. Also LB Josh Harvey-Clemons to UGA, no surprise there either.
10:07 am: #1 DT Eddie Goldman to FSU. Our bitter rivals are putting together a nice class as well. FSU war room erupts on ESPNU.
Another huge piece in this year’s class is Tyriq McCord. The 4 star defensive end from Tampa is rated as the #7 DE in the nation. He could pair nicely with Anthony Chickillo over the next few years. 6’5 250 pound Jelani Hamilton from powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas also figures prominently.
Future UM stars Tyriq MCord and Deon Bush flash the U
10:17 AM: All World WR Dorial Green-Beckham announces he will attend Mizzou!!! Big Surprise. He is already drawing raves and being compared to Calvin Johnson. With Missouri headed to the SEC they just got a major piece to compete with the Alabamas and LSUs.
(Josh asks did Haith recruit him? LOL)
Breaking down the WRS: Angelo Louis-Jean has the highest upside. If he can get his academics in order, he might play immediately. He’s a burner with good hands and superior athleticism. Malcom Lewis (from Miramar, same school as Tracy Howard) could be a Steve Breaston type. He’s shifty as well as sure handed and may be a punt returner as well down the line. He also has the experience of making a bunch of clutch catches in the state playoffs. D’Mauri Jones is 6’4 red zone threat, who could step in to the void left by Tommy Streeter. Herb Waters is a 3 star guy who may be a project early on. Rayshawn Jenkins may end up at DB, but is another good athlete. The sleeper of the group might be Robert Lockhart, a 6’2 do it all type from Fort Union Military Academy in VA, who will come in more mature then your average freshman. Jontavious Carter is another talented kid in the mix. Louis-Jean and Lewis look like future starters, but overall a very deep and potentially special group.
10:45 am: Will Avery Young come to the U???? The 4 star O Lineman would be another nice pickup. Alabama proved that National Championships start up front. Fingers crossed here!!
Sleeper Alert Part 2: Watching some highlights of RB Danny Dilliard may not make you forget Duke, but he looks like a load. Already 210, he should get bigger and provide a “smash” to Johnson’s “dash”.
11:04 AM: Miami adds DT Dequan Ivery 6’4 310, originally a Louisville commitment. Ivery is a 3 star prospect who adds depth to the D line. Ivery looks to be a run stuffer. A nice steal by Golden and Co.
(Jerry wonders, Can he dunk like Dequan Jones?)
My top 5 UM recruits:
1) RB Randy “Duke” Johnson
2) CB Tracy Howard
3) DB Deon Bush
4) WRs Angelo Louis-Jean/Malcolm Lewis
5) LB Raphael Kirby
Another steal: 4 star DB Antonio Crawford and his 4.4 speed are headed to UM. Crawford was a verbal commit to Georgia Tech. Along with Larry Hope, Vernon Davis, and of course Howard, Crawford adds to Miami’s very deep class of DBs. Are the days of Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, & Ed Reed returning?
Rumor has it, 3 star MLB Jawand Blue has switched commits from VA Tech to UM. Coach Beamer must be steaming!!! Al Golden is a closer!!!
1:40 EST: Andrus Peat declares for Stanford, phew. Was worried he’d go to FSU. The massive offensive lineman is a steal for the Cardinal!!
2PM EST: Avery Young announces he will be attending Auburn. War Eagle it is.
At this point all of the major announcements affecting Miami are through. We will do a full write-up on the class in the next few days for those interested. What an exciting day so far!!!! The big news being the addition of Tracy Howard. Congratulations to all the newest ‘Canes and Al Golden and staff.
Don’t forget this evening’s signing day party at the BUC, leading up to Miami’s critical home Men’s Basketball game against Maryland starting at 8pm EST. Go ‘Canes!!!!!
