Football Recruiting: Canes’ Main Targets, 2013
With signing day just under two weeks away (Feb. 6), recruiting is in full force. As teams work round the clock to land their coveted targets, let’s have a look at who Miami is going after.
Oct 13, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Al Golden arrives at the Sun Life Stadium before a game between the North Carolina Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Thomas, OLB, Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington)
Thomas is listed as a five-star recruit per 247Sports. In what was once considered a Miami-Florida State battle, Miami may have inched closer to landing Thomas with the recent hire of Florida State offensive coordinator, James Coley. Considering Coley was Thomas’ main recruiter at Florida State, his addition to Miami will have most likely put Miami in the driver seat. Expected to announce his decision on signing day, Thomas lists offers from nearly every major program including Florida State, Miami, USC, Georgia and Alabama, per 247Sports.
Prediction: I look for Thomas to end up at Miami.
Jermaine Grace, OLB/Safety, Hollywood, Fla. (Miramar)
Grace is listed as a four-star prospect per 247Sports. With Grace’s main recruiter, Jedd Fisch, bolting to the NFL, don’t count Miami out just yet. Former high school teammates and current Hurricanes Tracy Howard and Malcolm Lewis are likely trying their hardest to convince Grace to sign with Miami. In what appears to be a Louisville-Miami battle, Grace just may pick the hometown team. Grace lists offers from Miami, Louisville, Tennessee, Florida State and North Carolina, per 247Sports.
Prediction: I expect Grace to be wearing orange and green next year.
Jay-Nard Bostwick, DE, Port St. Lucie, Fla. (St. Lucie West)
Bostwick took his official visit to Miami on Jan. 18th, but is scheduled to make an appearance at the University of Florida on Feb. 1. In what appears to be a Florida-Miami battle – in which Miami may hold a slight lead – Florida will get the final visit so don’t rule out the Gators. Miami is in need of defensive tackles and the four-star Bostwick would help to fill that need. Bostwick lists offers from Florida, Miami, Michigan, Alabama and Cincinnati, per 247Sports.
Prediction: In the end I think Bostwick picks Miami.
Stacy Coley, WR, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Northeast)
Four-star wide receiver Stacy Coley has recently re-emerged on Miami’s radar. Although Miami isn’t in dire need of signing receivers for their 2013 class, the addition of Coley wouldn’t hurt. Coley has been considered by many to be a hard Florida State lean, but Miami may have recently gotten his attention. Coley lists offers from Miami, Florida State, South Florida, Florida and Louisville, per 247Sports. If Coley were to sign today, I would expect him to end in Tallahassee.
Prediction: Coley ends up at Florida State.
Rashard Robinson, DB, Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely)
Robinson is currently committed to Les Miles and LSU but that hasn’t stopped Miami from trying to flip him. Robinson was rumored to be at the Miami-Duke game and he has begun to show interest in the Canes. If anyone is capable of flipping the four-star prospect, Al Golden is the one to do so. Robinson holds offers from LSU, Miami, Florida State, Arkansas and Houston, per 247Sports.
Prediction: I think Robinson flips to Miami come signing day.
Keith Bryant, DT, Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic)
Oh, Keith Braynt – where do we begin. The one-time Miami commit is rumored to have dropped the Canes’ because they were recruiting more than one defensive tackle. One day Bryant likes Miami and the next he likes Florida State and the next South Carolina leads. Perhaps the four-star prospect is toying with fans, but at this point Bryant is a toss up. The defensive tackle lists offers from Florida State, South Carolina, Miami, Auburn and Louisville, per 247Sports.
Prediction: I think Bryant chooses Florida State over Miami.