Miami Hurricanes Recruiting From Quarterback to Defensive Back
Article photo of FSU commitment Lawayne McCoy; photo credit to Brian Smith
The 2024 Miami Hurricanes recruiting class has some talented recruits already in the fold. There’s still a long way to go with prospects still on the board.
I’m going to break down each position group, one by one. Before that, a couple of key points that apply to every position from quarterback on down the line.
Timing
When and how the Miami coaching staff focuses on a recruit can change the outcome. It’s a fine line. Just because a certain prospect sits atop the board at any one given position, that does not mean the Canes staff can even remotely recruit the #2, #3, and #4 prospects with any less ferocity.
That’s something that’s being discussed among Canes fans online with regards to Jacory Barney committing to Nebraska, just as one example. Where the truth is with that specific recruitment, I have no idea. It’s interesting though.
Game-Changing Recruits
No matter how this staff recruits from here on out, they will likely be graded most on the ability to get those truly elite players. They should be. That’s usually the difference when it comes to winning big and being a factor for making runs towards the College Football Playoffs.
The prospects like Justin Scott (defensive tackle), Colin Simmons (edge), Caleb Odom (flex tight end), and Chris Cole (linebacker), among many talented recruits, will be the crux of how this class shapes up.
Miami is in good shape with some recruits and trails for others. That’s fine. There’s five-plus months of recruiting left. Miami needs more elite talent. One way or another, the Canes must finish strong with top prospects, period.
Now onto the positions, beginning on defense. I rank each position as concerned, wait and see, or in good shape.
Defensive Line - Concerned
This is the area where I wish I honestly knew more. So many of these recruitments have gone in multiple directions – good and bad for the Canes – that it’s hard to keep up.
Further, many of the key players will likely take a long time to decide, potentially not allowing Miami to pivot and sign other recruits. That's unfortunate but true. Now onto some specific names to know.
I like where Miami sits with defensive tackle Artavius Jones and big end/defensive tackle Kamarion Franklin. There’s a shot to land one if not both. Many other defensive line prospects could still sign with the Canes, too. Again, it's about timing. That's what worries me.
How the Hurricanes do with edge Dylan Stewart and other priority defensive line recruits, that will also be key. Look, Miami’s defensive line depth improved this off season. It’s still not where it needs to be, especially in the middle.
No way around it, at minimum, the Canes need two big-bodied defensive tackles that can come in and compete for playing time. That’s just for starters and that’s far from a guarantee to happen.
Miami also needs edge rushers in every class, like any other college football program. At least Miami’s depth there appears to be better with the tremendous 2023 defensive line class that’s led by former Miami Central star Rueben Bain, Jr.
Linebacker - Wait and See
Miami’s 2023 linebacker haul was absolutely fantastic. No doubt. Georgia and Alabama, they do that on an almost yearly basis though. Miami needs to do that as well.
The 2024 commitment list has two linebackers on it. Cam Pruitt and Vincent Shavers fit today’s modern game well and can help Miami. The Canes still need a bigger linebacker that can play that middle linebacker spot.
I do really like the upside of each of those committed linebacker recruits the Canes already landed though. The speed, in particular, is intriguing for Shavers and Pruitt.
I’m not sure how that middle linebacker spot will play out and I am quite curious to learn more about it. Gotta have a thumper in the middle with just about every recruiting class. Those guys get beat up a lot and that attrition means even more recruiting attention will be needed.
On the other side of the coin, if Miami adds Cole that would be great. Is he a middle ‘backer? Probably not, but he’s a big-time prospect. Too talented to pass up.
From all the positions, linebacker could quickly be filled and in tremendous shape.
Defensive Back - Good Shape
I absolutely love Dylan Day as an all-around player. LSU was foolish to allow him to leave Baton Rouge. He will be a big-time player for The U in time. That can be the case for him at any of safety, nickel or cornerback, too. Day is that versatile.
Few know about Clearwater Academy International safety Isaiah Thomas, but they soon will. He’s a baller that has the long arms that the majority of other defensive backs do not.
With a pair of Saint Thomas Aquinas cornerbacks in the recruiting class – Ryan Mack and Romanas Frederique – the Hurricanes have two players that complement each other well.
Mack fits in as a nickel corner from the outset of his Miami career, while Frederique has the speed and length to play on the perimeter. Each needs to get stronger, but that’s the norm. If Miami gains another cornerback commitment, it needs to be a truly big-time player.
Sure, if Ellis Robinson IV or Jamari Howard want to head to The U, absolutely! Otherwise, Mario Cristobal and his staff can be selective.
Without a truly talented cornerback still wanting to join the Miami fold, I would expect the Transfer Portal to be the only other way the Hurricanes add to the cornerback depth chart from this point forward.
Quarterback - Wait and See
I need to see Judd Anderson play in live action before passing judgment. That’s it. He’s been a starter for one season. Let’s all wait and see how he improves and go from there.
Emory Williams was a good addition to the 2023 roster as well. If Anderson can make the jump forward that Williams did during his senior season, Miami will have each of them, plus Jacurri Brown, for 2024. That's a good start to the depth chart.
Running Back - Good Shape
The Canes are killing it at running back from back-to-back recruiting classes. In fact, the 2023 and 2024 running back recruits, combined, might be the best consecutive running back hauls in the country.
As a side note, anyone that has not watched the film for Chris Wheatley-Humphrey to date, make sure you check it out. Here’s his HUDL film link. Also, here’s a great clip from the Miami camp as well. Note that this young man could play many roles for the Canes!
Miami RB commit Chris Wheatley Humphrey @hellcatchris gets the interception while covering Florida State commit LaWayne McCoy at camp.@canes_county | @Rivals https://t.co/rQRrehmPjJ pic.twitter.com/oKxx18sPDp
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 25, 2023
Wheatley-Humphrey is not receiving the attention from recruiting analysts that he likely should.
Wide Receiver - Concerned
Miami has one heck of a recruit in the fold with Chance Robinson. He’s a recruit that can come in and play right away, including being a deep threat. The Miami staff did a great job of recruiting Robinson.
The issue, however, would be numbers. There’s a really good chance that multiple players leave after this next season that are prime components of the offense at the wide receiver position. Therefore, three or even four wide receivers will be needed in the 2024 recruiting class.
What happens if one or both of Colbie Young and Xavier Restrepo turn pro?
That’s rough even if one leaves. So, let’s break it down more specifically. How does UM get more talent and depth if Young heads off to the NFL?
With Jeremiah Smith all but assuredly heading to Ohio State, that’s the biggest question because Miami's current roster lacks proven depth with size out wide. Hard to find 6-foot-2 and taller receivers with deep speed from the prep ranks, too.
There are some, for sure, but does Miami lead for any of them? Not to my knowledge. Hope I am dead wrong here. I could be. Miami needs an impact wide receiver recruit with natural size.
As for flanker and slot, Robinson is the flanker. He fits that role well. It would be great to get another one with similar skills like Joshisa Trader, a player that could honestly play several roles. He’s a great prospect and Miami just needs him.
It’s just that he will make a late decision. Is what it is. Miami has been all over Trader though. The staff has done a great job with the Chaminade-Madonna prospect.
The disappointment of not getting Barney leaves the slot position a little bit in question. He would have been good there. There’s also the recruitment of current Florida State wide receiver commitment Lawayne McCoy from Miami Central. He’s a tremendous prospect and one the Canes would love to flip.
I am not sure where that stands, but several people I’ve communicated with in the recruiting industry believe Miami gets that one done. If that’s the case, my cause for concern goes down considerably. McCoy is a really talented playmaker that could play slot or flanker. Placing him next to Robinson, man, that would be a great tandem.
Tight End - Good Shape
With Elijah Lofton now in Miami’s 2024 recruiting class, it has a versatile player that’s capable of lining up at fullback, H-back, tight end and even out wide like a receiver.
If the Canes land Odom, it would be fantastic! Still, Miami is not in dire straits at this spot or anything. There’s talent. Remember, two talented tight ends from the 2023 class are now on campus in Coral Gables. Miami is heading in the right direction at tight end, without question.
Offensive Line - Wait and See
I want to know where Deryc Plazz commits before truly having a good feel for this offensive line class. I like Miami commitment Juan Minaya and his long-term potential at offensive guard or tackle. Miami probably needs two more talented offensive line recruits though.
It’s important for Miami to land at least three talented offensive line recruits each year, overall, to keep pushing the older players and have the depth needed to win big.
That 2023 offensive line class though, wow! That is a tremendous start to Miami’s future!
Plazz will announce his college choice on July 7. What happens with that decision will be key. It’s Miami or North Carolina State for the Jacksonville (Fla.) Andrew Jackson offensive line recruit.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.