Miami Hurricanes 2017 Signees: Grading the Offense
Jeff Thomas, Mike Harley, Evidence Njoku and Deejay Dallas bring in plenty of play making ability with a wide arrange of skill sets. Thomas and Harley in particular are part of the new influx of speed that coach Mark Richt covets. Njoku is a 6’6 red zone threat who has the wing span of a Boeing 777 and Dallas is a dynamic weapon with the ball in his hands and operates effortlessly in space.
Thomas runs a 4.38 40 and is the recent Under Armour All American game MVP. He will add instant speed to the offense. Thomas has to be considered a deep threat and simultaneously shows the ability to take the simple screen to the house. This highly publicized commit pledged his allegiance to the U on ESPNU and the staff’s reaction was euphoric.
WIDE RECEIVER
Harley runs a 4.39 according to Mike Harley Sr and is also part of the “Speed Richt” movement. He compiled three touchdowns in the Florida 7A Championship game and has that I can get open in a phone booth trait. Harley can easily be considered a strong candidate in the return game this fall and has shown that same ability in high school at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Evidence Njoku is the younger brother of first round talent David Njoku. Just don’t call him little brother. At 6’6 Evidence is a mismatch nightmare for smaller dbs and can instantly be called upon in the red zone for fade routes.
Njoku does display straight line speed and has the capability to go over the top. He will need to work on his route tree a bit because he came from a very limited high school offense. We should have all learned not to take for granted anyone who has Njoku DNA.
DeeJay Dallas has been recently assigned by coach Mark Richt to the offensive side of the ball. Dallas played a lot of quarterback in high school and even from that position you see his ability to create big plays with his feet.
He has a great feel for the game and is shifty in space. The fan proclaimed “ambassador” for the Swag 17 class, Dallas will be called upon in spring to add depth to the wide receiver position after the losses of Stacy Coley and Malcolm Lewis.
GRADE: A
Tight End
Brian Polendey is the sole tight end taken by Hurricanes in 2017. At 6’5 223 lbs and 4.88 speed, Polendey has enough size and speed to work the seem. You have to like Polendy’s ability to find the pockets in the zone and although Mark Richt and staff looked to add two tight ends in this cycle, the Hurricane coaches are more than happy with Polendey’s ability to carry the torch at “Tight End U.”
GRADE: B