When Will Top Miami Recruits Decide?
Article photo of Zaquan Patterson; credit to All Hurricanes
Based on interviews and intel, here are five of the prospects that Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes covet, and a general guide to when they will decide.
This recruiting timeline will outline some of the schools each prospect has shown a prime interest in as well. Do note, there’s also some personal interjection from yours truly with regards to being around these young men.
Zaquan Patterson, Safety, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Full disclosure: This is the defensive prospect that intrigues me more than any other in Florida. Patterson could end up playing safety and nickel, just to begin to discuss his talent. Plus, when a defense goes to dime he’s both physical enough to play a linebacker role yet athletic enough to cover a running back on a wheel route.
With all that talent, Patterson can all but pick his school. That stated, look for him to get his college choice out of the way this summer after taking some official visits. I like Miami here; a lot. That’s my gut talking and the intel has leaned that direction as well. Georgia, FSU, and many others will not just give up though.
Joshisa Trader, WR, Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Early in the recruiting process, Trader was honest and forthright enough to let it be known that he would most likely make a decision around National Signing Day. Obviously the 5-star talent will be a prime target for the entire Miami staff, but they will probably be playing the long game.
Based on Trader’s talent, he’s well worth the wait. Miami, FSU, UF, and OSU will be the best bets for official visits, but that could certainly change.
David Stone, DT, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
If there’s a prospect that has a broader range of schools he’s considering, where is that prospect? From Washington to Miami, Stone has a true national feel to his recruitment. He’s admitted that a summer decision would be likely, but do not count on him just completely shutting down his recruitment regardless.
He’s a rare 3-technique that can rush the passer, and that’s what college programs covet. Look for his final decision to be much closer to National Signing Day. Oklahoma should probably be considered the odds-on favorite, but he also continued to communicate with and even visit Miami twice recently. Stone’s college choice will be interesting.
Miami, Michigan State, and Oklahoma should be three schools that make it to the end of Stone’s recruitment.
Justin Scott, DT, Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius
Arguably just as difficult to project as Stone’s recruitment. The rare Midwest prospect with numerous offers from down South, Miami included. As for where the Canes stand with Scott, recent intel has strongly conflicted with one another.
Based on that intel and from a personal perspective, this is the one prospect on this list I would not remotely touch with betting on where he signs. I cannot even remotely place into words how rare it has been for information to be so opposed, so keep that in mind, too.
MORE: 2024 Miami Commitments
Scott has that rare frame of 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, and he can really move well laterally. That’s why Miami, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State continue to come at him, among numerous other schools, and probably also at least part of the reason why the intel from different sources has been so different from one another.
Scott’s final college decision has National Signing Day written all over it, and that’s the case regardless of whether or not he commits some place earlier than that.
T.A. Cunningham, DL, Miami (Fla.) Central
Out of everyone on this list, Miami’s chances might be the best. Point blank, Cunningham really took to the Miami coaching staff when he first took a visit earlier this spring. He was also back for the Hurricanes spring game as well.
Cunningham does have a long list of suitors (Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, etc.) that could end up extending his recruitment, but he did not deny his appeal for The U during any conversation I’ve had with him.
Best guess sees the talented defensive lineman making a decision this summer. He’s a smart young man and will navigate the final stages of his recruitment as well or better than most, helping to expedite the process.
AllHurricanes.com is your home for all things Miami Hurricanes football, recruiting, basketball and other athletics, all the time. Follow along on social media at @AllHurricanes on Twitter and All Hurricanes on Facebook for round-the-clock news and analysis.