Miami might still be trying to piece together its recruiting class this cycle, but just because the Hurricanes focus right now might be on guys like
Amari Carter,
Anthony McFarland Jr. and
Jeremiah Holloman, doesn't meant that the coaches haven't started to look ahead towards the next wave of prospects.
St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Al Blades Jr. is a top priority. (Photo: 247Sports)
UM is off to the nation's fastest starts in the class of 2018 with seven prospects committed, and while it's still way-too-early to project how they will finish, it's worth a shot.
InsideTheU has a 'best guess' of sorts for a 24-man class after reviewing the offer list and talking with people in South Florida.
Quarterback
Casey Thompson — Oklahoma had long been considered the main competition for Thompson, but the Sooners took a pledge earlier this month from
Cameron Rising. That means that the biggest threat to Miami now for the Moore (Ok.) Southmoore Top247 quarterback is likely Clemson. Thompson was in Coral Gables last month for
Mark Richt's inaugural Paradise Camp, but spent a few days before that in South Carolina with Dabo Swinney. The Tigers haven't offered Thompson — or many 2018 quarterbacks for the matter of the fact — but Miami has, and they want the nation's No. 5 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the class. We'll give UM the edge, for now.
Running Back
Lorenzo Lingard — Miami has already hosted Lingard multiple times and while he says that he has no leaders, he told InsideTheU during an in-person interview after the Paradise Camp the the Hurricanes were in his lead group along with Ohio State. Regardless if that's the case or not, the big takeaway is that the Orange City University Top247 running back continues to neglect Florida State when he talks favorites, which is good news for UM. Lingard is expected to visit Miami during the season although a date hasn't been set for the nation's No. 16 overall prospect and No. 2 ranked running back.
Chris Curry — This spot will likely hinge on whether of not Miami takes a second running back this cycle. Curry is a relative unknown on the national recruiting scene after missing much of his sophomore season with an injury, but he was on campus last week for an unofficial visit, and is starting to draw interest from schools like Clemson and North Carolina. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Najeh Davenport's jump on an offer from the Hurricanes if he impresses early this fall.
Wide Receiver
Warren Thompson — The Seffner Armwood Top247 wide receiver was committed to Miami for all of a few hours back in March. While he says that his recruitment is now 'open' and that he and his family want to make sure that he has evaluated all of his options before making another commitment, UM still looks to be the likely destination for the lengthy wideout with top-end speed. The nation's No. 196 overall prospect is also high on Florida and Florida State.
Mark Pope — There might not be a more electric 2018 wide receiver in Miami-Dade next cycle than Pope. The Southridge wide receiver tore up Richt's Paradise Camp and didn't look out of place next to upperclassmen like
Jerry Jeudy and
Devonta Smith. Alabama looks to already be the early favorite to sign Pope, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given the Crimson Tide's success in the area with top wideouts, but mom likes UM, and that counts.
Daquris Wiggins — Wiggins is committed to Miami. The Southridge Top247 wideout had given a pledge to the local school when Al Golden was the head man on campus, but has since turned into a priority for Richt and the new coaches. He was on campus for the Paradise Camp and continues to draw interest from Florida and others.
Tight End
? — Miami loves Texas Top247 tight end
Mustapha Muhammad, but he looks to be a bit of a long shot until he steps foot on campus. That's why we still have a question mark in place. The Hurricanes continue to evaluate guys like Top247 talent
Brevin Jordan and Naples Gulf Coast's
George Takacs, but until more offers go out, or Muhammad visits, it's hard to guess who will be in the class at tight end.
Offensive Line
William Barnes — Like at tight end, the 2018 offensive line board is still coming into focus, but it's clear already that Barnes is a top target for the coaches. The Apopka offensive tackle was on hand for the spring scrimmage back in April and was offered a scholarship on the spot after passing the eye test. He has since picked up bids from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, UCLA and Florida State, but the Hurricanes look to have left an early impression on the tackle, who some say has a chance to be better than former Apopka standout
Martez Ivey.
Cleveland Reed — Miami made Reed's top five last month along with Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky and Louisville. The Fort Meade Top247 offensive tackle hasn't visited UM yet, but a trip is expected to occur at some point during the season. Florida looks to be the Hurricane's biggest competition right now to sign Reed following a few summer trips to Gainesville.
Delone Scaife — Scaife is committed to Miami. The nation's No. 13 guard was evaluated in person by offensive line coach
Stacy Searels back in June and then offered a few weeks later which in turn resulted in a commitment. While Scaife plays tackle in high school, he projects as an interior lineman at the next level given his lack of height at 6-2 and that's why he worked out at center during the Paradise Camp.
Defensive Line
Gregory Rousseau — Disclaimer: Rousseau hasn't played much, if any defensive end at the high school level, but the Hialeah Champagnat Catholic has the frame at 6-6, 205 and quickness to grow into a monster coming off the edge. He visited Coral Gables twice this summer and landed an offer from the coaches in June. USC looms and is the co-leader at the moment, but the 247Sports Crystal Ball reads 100 percent in favor of Miami.
Jonathan King — The Hurricanes are expected to take just one interior defensive linemen this cycle, which means tackle will be a bit of a priority and King is a guy that could work his way inside. The Tampa Bay Tech defensive end was offered by the Hurricanes back in April and there has since been plenty of contact with defensive line coach
Craig Kuligowski.
Jason Mercier — Mercier doesn't hold an offer from Miami, but he has been in contact with defensive coordinator
Manny Diaz and likes everything about the Hurricanes. The Boynton Beach standout was on campus back in June for a camp and has the potential to grow into a 3-techinque at the next level. Louisville has already offered.
? — King and Mercier might be two prospects that can eventually grow into defensive tackles, but Miami is likely going to have to still sign at least one true tackle in the class. The only problem is, that part of the board appears to still be evolving. IMG Academy four-star defensive tackle
Taron Vincent — who is pegged as the nation's No. 14 overall prospect — says he plans to visit, but Ohio State and Florida State are out in front. The Hurricanes have offered a few other top linemen as well, but don't be surprised if bids eventually go out to guys like Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Top100 tackle
Tyler Fridayand Saluda (S.C.) High's
Kelijiah Brown as UM looks to expand the target pool.
Linebacker
Donovan Georges — Miami and Alabama are the early leaders for Georges. The three-star linebacker was on campus a number of times in the spring and then return in July for the Paradise Camp. He was offered by Al Golden & Co. but has since become a top target for the new faces in Coral Gables. Michigan State recently offered, but there's a reason why the 247Sports Crystal Ball reads green and orange right now.
Billy Joseph — Joseph is another Miami-Alabama battle. He recently told InsidTheU that Nick Saban was out in front, but some in his camp say that the Hurricanes are the school that's really out in front. While the 247Sports Crystal Ball is split down the middle for the nation's No. 17 ranked outside linebacker, one could make a case that the former Miami commit is more of a priority for the Hurricanes than he is for the Crimson Tide, and that could land him at UM.
David Reese — Reese is listed as a safety, but the Fort Pierce Central product is expected to grow into a linebacker at the next level. He landed an offer from Miami back in May and was planning to make it to the Paradise Camp, but couldn't because of a team camp with his high school. Florida, Louisville and Mississippi State area also involved.
Cornerback
Al Blades Jr. — Blades Jr. can try to avoid calling Miami his 'leader' all he wants, but it's clear to almost everyone in and around his recruitment that the Hurricanes are the team to beat. The St. Thomas Aquinas Top247 cornerback was at one time committed to the local school and has been more than just a frequent visitor on campus ever since Richt took over for Golden. Blades is expected to be on hand for multiple UM games this season.
Gilbert Frierson — Frierson is committed to Miami. The Coral Gables Top247 cornerback camped three times at Miami this summer and has remained solid on his pledge despite interest from schools like Oklahoma and Florida State.
Thomas Burns — The younger brother of current Pittsburgh Steeler and ex-Hurricane Artie Burns is committed to Miami. He is pegged by 247Sports as a three-star recruit and the nation's No. 31 cornerback.
Demetrius Ivey — Ivey is committed to Miami. The South Dade standout is another prospect that was in town multiple times during the summer and is another defensive back with position flexibility that could double as a safety in a pinch.
Jalen Patterson — If there's one commit that could defect from the class it's Patterson. The Citra North Marion athlete has been committed to Miami since last summer and was on campus in June, but other programs look to be in the mix. He recently told InsideTheU that UM sees him at cornerback, but he could play offense at the next level.
Safety
Josh Jobe — Jobe might be the prize of the class for Miami. The Columbus Top247 defensive back has the looks of a top-flight defensive back at the next level with his size at 6-1, 180 and speed. He'll spend next season at a prep school because of his age (he's already 18) but should arrive in Coral Gables in January of 2018. Alabama continues to try and flip Jobe, but he says that he's all Miami and has been on campus a number of times the past few months.
Gurvan Hall — Hall is another national defensive back prospect in South Florida next cycle. The Palm Beach Lakes safety was on hand for the Paradise Camp back in July and walked away with an offer from the staff after impressing against some of the area's best. He says that no school is out in front, but Miami looks to already have the inside track to land his services.
Kicker
Ten Hurricanes To Know From Fall CampSTART SLIDESHOW
? —Michael Badgley has two seasons of eligibility left which means that Miami will need a new place kicker in 2018. The Hurricanes are always adding specialists to the roster via the walk-on route, but they will likely sign someone to a scholarship. Austin (Texas) Lake Travis' Cameron dikker is a name that's on the radar.
can't find the article right now
while he was waiting to get in
