The recently released 2018 recruiting rankings have some Miami Football fans throughout social media on the verge of panic. It’s far too early to analyze the Storm ’18 Recruiting Class
In the most recently updated composite rankings by 247Sports.Com the Miami Football Storm ’18 recruiting class dropped slightly from second to third. Ohio State is first in the rankings with 288 overall points. Texas is second with 276.05 points. Miami is only 1.36 points behind the Longhorns at 274.69 points.
The Buckeyes have only 16 total commitments to Texas’ 17 and Miami’s 19. Ohio State’s three five star players are what puts them in first. UT and Miami have only one five star player each.
The Hurricanes and Longhorns both have more four-star players than Ohio State. Each school has 12, while OSU has 11. Miami has far more three-star players than UT or OSU. The Hurricanes have five, Texas four and Ohio State two.
No one has yet to de-commit from Storm ’18. Earlier this week Four-star cornerback Josh Jobe discussed his transfer to Chesire Academy in Connecticut from Columbus High School in Miami with USA Today.
Jobe told the iconic newspaper he is also keeping his recruitment open. He mentioned in the interview with the daily newspaper that the Miami Football coaches are not concerned with his decision to keep his recruitment open.
"Jobe said: “I have to see how it goes…A lot of colleges are going to come at me. I have to see what they are talking about. I have to see how this season goes. I still have time to figure it out. I don’t know how (Miami) is going to react, but I have to do what’s best for me.”"
Related Story: Miami Football Commit Jobe Transferring Reopening Recruiting
The Miami’s Herald’s Barry Jackson examined some of the levels of commitment of the some of the players from Storm ’18. Earlier this summer wide receiver Brian Hightower announced his decision to use his five official visits to colleges.
Related Story: Miami Hurricanes Commit Brian Hightower Will Take Official Visits
Mark Pope and Hightower give the Miami football Storm ’18 class a dynamic receiving tandem in the class of 2018. Jackson quoted Pope about how firm his commitment is in the Herald:
"“It’s solid. It’s just this is where I’m from. It’s Miami. It’s my home. Why would I want to leave? My family has a 20-minute drive to come see me play.”"
Like Hightower, Pope still plans on using at least one of his visits.
"“I told Miami I was going [to visit Florida]. They just asked me ‘Why? Why visit?’ I just told them I want to look and see what’s best for me. Florida is losing five receivers. That’s why they really need me, but it’s going to be about my visit there and my visit to Miami. I just have to see.”"
It’s hard to read through what he is saying here. It appears as if he is strongly leaning towards Miami, but that Florida could still be in the picture.
Four-star defensive end/linebacker Gregory Rosseau from Hialeah said he has offers from 18 schools. Despite that, he said:
"“I am pretty set with Miami. Before, LSU and Georgia [were tempting] but they are out of the picture now.”"
Miami is also still in the mix for two of the nation’s top two cornerbacks. Both are local players as Mark Richt tries to re-establish the “State of Miami.”
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Patrick Surtain Jr is the son of the former Dolphin. He is the nation’s second ranked player in the class of 2018 and top ranked cornerback. He discussed his recruitment.
"“I’ve been talking to Miami a lot, talking to coach [Mark] Richt, coach [Mike] Rumph, coach [Ephraim] Banda. I’ve been talking to them lately. Hopefully, I can get a official up there and visit some games and go around the campus more and [talk to] some of the players.“Miami is a great program. Coach Rumph and coach Banda do a great job with the defensive scheme. I feel like my defensive style could fit in their scheme too by the way they play. I feel Miami is bringing that swag back like the old school Canes.”"
Surtain’s teammate at American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale Tyson Campbell is ranked as the nation’s eighth best cornerback. Campbell discussed where Miami stands in his recruitment.
"“One of my top schools. It can always be good to stay home. But at the same time, it may not be the best opportunity. I’ve got to keep those other schools in mind.”"
Miami needs to stock up on cornerbacks. They will lose Graduate transfer Dee Delaney after this season. Junior College transfer Jhavonte Dean will be a Senior in 2018.
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Behind them are Sophomore Malek Young, Freshman Trajan Bandy and Junior Michael Jackson. A lot is expected of Young and Bandy. Young continues to make big plays against his teammates. He had two interceptions during the spring and one in Saturday’s scrimmage.