Despite not reeling in any new commitments, the past week has been anything but low-key for Hurricanes football.
With spring practice in the books and the late-spring, early summer doldrums taking over, the occasional commit is usually the only thing making news this time of year.
At least good news anyway. And let's hope it stays that way. Remember AQM and Jermaine Grace this time last year? That kick in the nuts was followed up by Mark Walton making headlines of his own – for all the wrong reasons.
Fast-forward one year and the enthusiasm surrounding the program is on the rebound. Let's be honest, the last time Miami encountered the possibility of opening a season inside the top 15 was in 2010, and we have yet to wake up from that 7-6 nightmare that cost Randy Shannon his job.
However, the program is trending upward, even more so than 2010. Two of the primary reasons are Storm 18 and the new indoor practice facility, that are both scheduled to arrive in Coral Gables for the 2018 season.
As for the upcoming season, Miami received some glorious news on that front.
Two of the top recruits in the Class of 2017, dual threat QB N'Kosi Perry and 4-star WR Jeff Thomas both announced that they will on campus is less than 2 weeks.
Why is that news?
Since signing day in February, much speculation has surrounded Thomas and whether or not he would meet UM's vigorous academic standards. Many doubters questioned if he would be ready to go for 2017. Well, Thomas answered those doubters on Twitter last week. (That was the collective sigh of relief that you heard. Later in the week, those sighs turned into profanity-laced tirades when an FSU D-bag came to the conclusion that mocking the death of Sean Taylor was an absolutely wonderful idea. Then spent the better part of his weekend trying to justify his morally reprehensible tweets by using Aaron Hernandez as “Defense Exhibit A.” Long story short, his anti-Miami, Taylor-hatred went so far overboard that Florida State defensive back Devonte Taylor finally said enough is enough – but I'll get to that later).
Back to football.
As I was saying, Thomas, the fastest man in the '17 recruiting class is on his way to Coral Gables following reports that he would be unable to qualify. However, those rumors have officially been put to rest and the East St. Louis wide receiver that has drawn comparisons to Devin Hester and Philip Dorsett, will provide the offense with game-changing speed – something that has been lacking since the aforementioned Dorsett was torching secondaries a few years back.
(Another thing Hester, Dorsett, and Thomas have in common – the No. 4)
As for Perry, the QB that many fans believe will be the one responsible for getting the ball to Thomas over the next 3-4 years, also announced that he will arrive on campus this month.
If the tweets are 100-percent, to-the-day accurate, Perry will arrive in the Magic City on the 22nd with Thomas trailing him by 24 hours.
Coach Richt will finally have all three starting-QB finalists in one place. And regardless of who wins out, the intense competition that awaits will offer each candidate a choice: compete your ass off, raise your game to never-before-seen heights, and win the starting job at The U, or, possibly drop completely off the two-deep, become an afterthought, and maybe, if you're lucky, hear your name mentioned in the opening 10 minutes of the upcoming ESPN 30-for-30 Films' The U Part 3.
In a perfect world, all three impress CMR so much that he's left with the hardest decision of his life. But even in a perfect world, someone has to fall to third string, and if that turns out to be Rosier, he may begin looking elsewhere for playing time as a graduate transfer. BTW, I doubt Perry falls to third string without getting a redshirt. If Rosier and Shirreffs claim the top two spots, I believe Testaverde will be named QB-3 and Perry lands a redshirt.
Tye Dye Pirate
Clemson grad-transfer RB Tyshon Dye chose East Carolina over Miami last week leaving the Canes' offensive backfield as one of the thinnest areas on the roster.
While all we heard for months-on-end was how UM was the front-runner, something told me he wouldn't be spending his fifth CFB season in South Florida. Although, I thought he would choose Georgia Southern.
ECU allows Dye the opportunity to battle for a starting job, not compete for a few carries here-and-there when Mark Walton needs a breather. Also, Greenville, NC is roughly 5 hours closer (than Coral Gables) to his northeast Georgia hometown of Elberton (about 30 miles east of Athens).
At this point in his career, he's looking for attention from the League. And while spending a year at Running Back U can only help his pro stock, it's doubtful that a backup would garner more than a late round selection. Meanwhile, a breakout season at ECU could propel him into the first two or three rounds.
As for Miami, true sophomore Travis Homer is the only returner not named Walton that saw the field last season. Redshirt-junior Trayone Gray has battled injuries but has yet to pan out at UM due to getting stuck behind the likes of Duke Johnson and Joe Yearby.
I've always been a fan of Gray and believe 2017 will provide him with his best opportunity to see significant playing time and get his career back-on-track.
Most recently, reports have been floating around that Miami has contacted Blinn College RB D'Anthony Hopkins. The 6-2, 220-pound, 3-star Texas native would have two years of eligibility at UM after two seasons in the JUCO ranks.
Following a ho-hum 2015 campaign where he totaled 261 yards and 4 Tds on 37 carries, Hopkins shined last season with 1,114 yards and 18 scores on the ground. Despite the impressive numbers he only drew interest from the likes of New Mexico, UAB, Utah State, Western Kentucky, and Wyoming.
The addition of Hopkins would give Miami enough depth at the position if incoming freshman Robert Burns is healthy. Will any of the backups prove reliable enough to prevent Walton from getting his brains beat out by running into 8-man fronts, 25+ times on a weekly basis? Let's hope so, because until a QB proves himself capable, defenses are going to stack the box vs Walton. Hell, can you blame them?
Speed, speed and more speed (is on the way)
In off-the-gridiron news, several Miami commits stood out at the finals of the Florida state track and field championships.
Over the weekend, IMG Academy of Bradenton played host to the event where UM was represented by not only your usual track stars – receivers, defensive backs, and running backs – but by tight ends and linebackers, as well.
Tight end commit Will Mallory – who joined the nation's top TE Brevin Jordan last month as the second blue chip tight end to pledge themselves to the Hurricanes – reached the state finals in the 110M Hurdles where he posted a time of 14.99 seconds to take third in 1A. Mallory, who stands 6-5 and weighs in at 210, also placed seventh in the 300M hurdles, clocking in at 41.33.
Meanwhile, 5-star running back (and Storm 18 ambassador) Lorenzo Lingard added a pair of 4A State Championships to his already impressive resume. His time of 14.02 was fastest in the 110M Hurdles, then he followed that up with a 36.63 in the 300M Hurdles to claim his second gold medal of the weekend.
Trajan Bandy and Josh Jobe made up one-half of Columbus High's 4A State Champion 4x100 Relay team that crossed the finish line at 40.97. Bandy and Jobe are both 4-star DB commits, however, Jobe turns 19 this year, making him to old to compete - per Florida High School football rules – and forcing him to play his final season at Cheshire Academy, a prep school in Connecticut.
Gurvan Hall, a DB commit out of West Palm Beach, took third in 3A with a time of 14.8 in the 100M Hurdles.
Recent decommit Thomas Burns won the 3A championship with a 35.9 in the 110M Hurdles. He also placed second in the 110M Hurdles with a 14.54.
Miami DB target Tyson Campbell matched Lingard in the 3A finals with state titles in the 100M (10.76) and 200M (21.35).
Class of 2019 linebacker commit Jesiah Pierre also took home the 1A state title in the discuss with a toss of 47.34 meters before flashing “The U” on the medal stand.
The IPF countdown is underway
The University of Miami began construction on its indoor practice facility with a groundbreaking on campus last week.
The facility's namesake Carol Soffer and her family, along with University President Julio Frenk, Athletic Director Blake James, former University President Donna Shalala, coach Richt, members of the Miami football team, along with donors and other guests were all on hand for an event that was “groundbreaking” in more ways than the obvious one.
The IPF, which is expected to be ready next year, is another step into the 21st century and narrows the gap on the recruiting trail with the likes of Bama, UF, FSU, and even Michigan and Ohio State, who continue to cherry pick South Florida talent.
Coach Richt explained other benefits as well, “we lose or must reschedule 22 practice sessions every year due to weather-related issues.” The IPF will allow UM football to reach maximum preparedness, and according to Richt, The U will be able to “compete at the highest level, build champions, and win.”
The IPF still needs help to cross the finish line. The project remains approximately $2 million shy of its $34 million price tag. Whether its $5 or $50 or $500, every little bit helps. Donations are being accepted at: www.hurricanesfootballfacility.com
The IPF still needs help to cross the finish line. The project remains approximately $2 million shy of its $34 million price tag. Whether its $5 or $50 or $500, every little bit helps. Donations are being accepted at: www.hurricanesfootballfacility.com
NCAA rule changes
In other recruiting news, the NCAA recently approved an early signing period in December for football recruits.
Only time will tell what this has in store for Miami, but with the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, the spotlight on Storm 18 will be magnified as December draws near, especially if UM finds a home among the top 10 or 15 teams in the CFB polls while remaining atop the recruiting standings.
If things go well on those two fronts, you can guarantee CMR will face a plethora of questions regarding the “impact” of the early signing period.
The Sean Taylor-Twitter fiasco
For those that missed it, an FSU homer (who's somewhat well known by CFB fans in Florida) spent Friday insulting Taylor, mocking his death, his legacy, his abilities, his fans, basically anything to get a reaction from Canes Twitter.
I won't mention his name, but he seems like a successful, intelligent individual, so why he felt the need to troll (he blamed tequila and a Patriotic Mexican Holiday) then refer to Taylor as the “god” of Miami fans, before stepping waaaay over the line with: (paraphrasing) Miami fans will be upset when they get to heaven and Taylor isn't there.
His defense: “Miami fans made jokes about Aaron Hernandez's death.”
First of all, I didn't see many AH jokes, and the majority of the ones I saw weren't made by Miami fans. In fact, FSU Twitter – along with New England haters – were just as responsible, if not more so, that UM Twitter.
Second: He's a Nole, but I now have tons of respect for Levonta Taylor for speaking out against the “disrespect.”
Best of luck this season, Levonta.
Third: AH was a convicted murderer who took the cowards way out and laid more even more baggage (if possible) at the feet of his young daughter and other innocent members of his family.
Taylor died while defending his wife and children from scumbags LIKE AARON HERNANDEZ. Taylor died a hero.
Taylor, like Hernandez, and many of us for that matter, faced adversity in their youth, but UNLIKE Hernandez, Taylor didn't succumb. He faced it head on and came out a better man, a stronger man, and most importantly a father that his daughter could be proud of, UNLIKE Hernandez
So, as far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely no comparison between the jailhouse suicide of a convicted murderer and a man who succumbed to his injuries after fighting off two home invaders, while his wife and daughter were in the house.
I could go on about Sean Taylor all night. He is one of my all-time favorite Canes. The day he passed away is one I will never forget.
11-27-2007.
A roller coaster day that began with the tragic news of Taylor's passing and ended with the birth of my first-and-only child.
11-27-2007 are 8 numbers that will forever hold a special place in my heart. But for Taylor's family, will remain the most painful of their life. That close to the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas will never be the same for them again. I try my best to say a little prayer for 26's family every Thanksgiving Day and/or 11-27 – whichever comes first each year. And on more than one occasion, they've fallen on the same day.
Go Canes and God Bless the Sean Taylor family.
And just so we don't end on a depressing note: there's always the Florida Gators – the gift that keeps on giving – and once again they've blessed our offseason with this juicy nugget: (Am I the only one who hears South Park's Kanye parody “Gay Fish” playing in their head when they see this picture?)
