Miami Hurricanes 2015 Recruiting Class: Defense
As we approach National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 4th, commitments and de-commitments will began to happen at a higher rate than ever before. To help keep tabs on the Miami Hurricanes’ 2015 class, here is a complete list with a breakdown and film on each of the current commits as well the total class and player rankings according to each major recruiting site.
2015 recruiting class ranking:
Rivals: 27th overall (5th in ACC)
247sports: 28th overall (5th in ACC)
ESPN: 20th overall (3rd in ACC)
18 current commits
Defense: 8 current commits
You can view the offensive commits here.
(players listed in alphabetical order, not by ranking)
6’4-290 Ryan Fines: Defensive Tackle, IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL
Rivals: 3 star
247sports: 3 star
ESPN: 3 star
Some other offers: Arizona, USF
Ryan Fines is a big body inside that can help to stop the run, but can also get into the backfield pretty well for his size. Fines is coming from an elite football academy at IMG, so he should be very sound in his techniques. To be able to handle the bigger and more developed opponents he will face at the next level, Fines must continue to work on his overall strength and his ability to shed blocks. Fines finished his senior year with 55 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks in 11 games.
Check out his senior highlights here.
6’4-235 Jamie Gordinier: OLB/DE, Red Bank New Jersey
Rivals: 3 star
247sports: 3 star
ESPN: 3 star
Some other offers: Boston College, Michigan st., Nebraska, among others
Jamie Gordinier was named the New Jersey defensive player of the year and was first team all state as well. Gordinier is a player who’s tape will surprise many people. He has great size to play either OLB or DE and he recognizes plays very quickly. Jamie attacks well downhill and is a very strong tackler. While he has flown under the radar, I think that he can be a player that really makes an impact at Miami. Gordinier finished his high school career with over 250 tackles and racked up 117 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, a sack, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble return for a touchdown in 12 games during his senior year.
Check out senior tape here.
6’2-190 Michael Jackson: Cornerback, Spain Park High in Birmingham, Alabama
Rivals: 4 star
247sports: 3 star
ESPN: 3 star
Some other offers: Clemson, Nebraska, Memphis among others
Michael Jackson is a physical corner that uses his size and length to his advantage. He has good ball skills and is an excellent open field tackler. Jackson can play press coverage or can give his man a cushion and be able to come up and make the tackle. He lacks elite speed, but Jackson has the size and hips of a great cornerback prospect. Plus, he does have a pretty cool name. Michael Jackson earned his offer at one of the Al Golden football camps over the off-season before his senior year. Jackson had at least 17 tackles and 2 ints his senior year, but not all of his stats from his senior year were posted.
View his highlights here.
5’10-180 Jaquan Johnson: Safety, Miami Killian High (Early Enroll)
Rivals: 4 star
247sports: 4 star
ESPN: 4 star
Some other offers: Alabama, Ohio St, FSU, Florida, and many others
At 5’10-180, Johnson isn’t the biggest DB, but he is a pure playmaker. One player that many compare Johnson to is former FSU DB, Lamarcus Joyner. Neither have elite size, but both just have a nose for the ball. Johnson is an all-around great football player that always finds himself making big hits, forcing turnovers, and doing whatever his team needs. There isn’t enough you can say about Jaquan Johnson’s intangibles. He is mature well beyond his years and has the attitude and leadership qualities that you just don’t usually see at the high school level. Johnson is a Dade county legend and made first team all Dade every year of his high school career. Johnson’s total senior stats haven’t been released yet, but he forced many fumbles and had multiple pick-six’s and special team returns for touchdowns.
He doesn’t have his senior tape yet, but you can view his more than adequate junior tape that shows his skills and leadership here.
6’2-190 Robert Knowles: Safety, Miami Edison
Rivals: 3 star
247sports: 3 star
ESPN: 4 star
Other Offers: FIU
Knowles is a prospect that hasn’t been in the headlines a whole lot, but Miami had been keeping an eye on him for awhile. The 6’2-190lb prospect from Miami Edison High School had some grade issues until late this year that lead to many schools holding off, despite his talent. When he committed to Miami in December, Robert Knowles was un-ranked on all 3 sites, but has now received more exposure and a large bump in the rankings. Knowles is a tall, athletic safety that will likely bulk up more in college. He is a little raw, but plays with a nastiness and aggressiveness that you like to see. Whether he’s lighting up a receiver across the middle or the QB on a safety blitz, Knowles loves to hit. He can cover a lot of ground in the secondary and also has the ability to attack at the line of scrimmage and help stop the run. Knowles needs to add some weight, and has the frame to do so, but his pure athleticism and talent alone will be a great asset to the Canes’ secondary.
You can see Knowles’ highlight tape here.
6’5-270 Richard McIntosh: Defensive end, Cardinal Gibbons in Ft. Lauderdale
Rivals: 3 star
247sports: 3 star
ESPN: 3 star
Some other offers: Florida, Wisconsin, Clemson among others
Richard McIntosh is a physical freak to put it simply. He had been playing at only 240lbs until recently due to basketball, but has really added a ton of good weight as his senior year progressed. McIntosh is super athletic and is a very good basketball player too. He uses his big frame to bat down passes whenever he can’t get to the QB. His junior year was just okay, because he was skinny and didn’t have the strength to be the dominant player that he can be. After adding weight and growing into his frame, McIntosh was outstanding during his senior season and finished with 71 tackles and 11 sacks in 9 games.
His senior highlights are not up, but you can view his junior highlights here. They are labeled with his brothers’ name for some reason and he was infinitely better in his senior year, but at least you can get to see some of his natural athleticism.
6’5-240 Scott Patchan: Defensive end, IMG Academy (Early Enroll)
Rivals: 4 star
247sports: 3 star
ESPN: 4 star
Some other offers: Clemson, FSU, Ohio State, ND, and many more
Patchan is a great athlete and is one of the most sought after defensive ends in the country. Patchan transferred from freedom highschool to IMG Academy prior to his senior year. Unfortunately, Patchan tore his ACL during the first game of his senior season, but his recovery is going well and he will hopefully be back in the spring. Patchan is an animal when going after the quarterback and uses his tremendous length and quickness to his advantage. In just 6 games during his junior season, Patchan managed to compile 47 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. In less than one game as a senior, Patchan had 10 tackles and 2 sacks. Assuming he returns 100% from his injury, Scott Patchan could be a real terror for opposing QBs over the next few years.
You can see his highlights from his 6 junior games and 1 senior game here.
6’2-210 Charles Perry: Linebacker, Royal Palm Beach (Early Enroll)
Rivals: 3 star
247sports: 4 star
ESPN: 4 star
Some Other offers: Alabama, Auburn, Florida and a whole bunch more
Last, but certainly not least of the 2015 Canes’ defensive commits is Charles Perry. Perry is a crazy fast and athletic linebacker that is also a very good running back at Royal Palm. Perry will be playing linebacker in college and has the frame to add some weight, while still keeping his explosiveness. Even at 6’2-210, Perry is able to run a 4.40 forty time. Charles Perry is very aggressive and attacks the ball carrier like not many can. His size, speed and strength coupled with the fact that he will enroll in January should lead to tons of early playing time.
You can check out his highlights here
This post will be continuously updated as commitments occur and more film and stats are released.