Miami Hurricanes targeting defense in February signing period
Although they signed a top ten recruiting class in the early signing period the Miami Hurricanes are still targeting several defensive players in the traditional signing period in February.
Nineteen players signed with the Miami Hurricanes in the early signing period. Eighteen players signed on the first day, December 20. Guard Cleveland Reed inked his letter of intent a day later.
Only five of the early signees are on defense. Gregory Rosseau was the only early signee on the defensive line. He is a 6’6 222 hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker.
The Hurricanes also have defensive tackle Nesta Silvera from American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale committed to them. Silvera said he will sign in February.
He is reportedly waiting to sign so he can take his official visit with his high school teammates defensive lineman Andrew Chatfield and cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Patrick Surtain Jr.
Surtain is leaning heavily towards LSU. Campbell is reportedly leaning towards Miami. The leaders for Chatfield are Miami, Oklahoma, LSU and Florida according to 247Sports.
The defensive line, particularly tackle is the biggest concern in the Storm ’18 Class. Dennis Briggs a 6’4 252 tackle from Kississimee, Florida announced on Christmas Day that the Miami Hurricanes are one of his finalists.
Related Story: Four-Star DT Dennis Briggs names Miami Hurricanes Finalist
Another defensive lineman that is a possibility for Miami is strongside defensive end Daniel Carson from Independence, Missouri. The 6’5 260 pounder is also considering Texas, Ohio State, Nebraska and Oklahoma. It’s not known how Nebraska’s coaching change will affect his decision.
Miami also wants to add depth on the offensive line and at wide receiver to Storm ’18. The majority of the players that have mutual interests with the Hurricanes are on the offensive side of the ball.
Campbell is the biggest name the Hurricanes are in play to land. He is the 27th ranked player in the country, third-best cornerback and fifth best player in Florida. Miami loses Graduate transfer Dee Delaney and potentially Junior Michael Jackson.
The Hurricanes are deep at corner. Freshmen Trajan Bandy and Sophomore Malek Young are potential future stars at the position. Bandy had the most electrifying play of Miami’s season. His 65-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first half pushed Miami’s lead against Notre Dame to 27-0.
Young led the Miami Hurricanes cornerbacks in with 43 tackles and he tied for the lead with three interceptions. Four-star corners Al Blades Jr., D.J. Ivey and Gilbert Frierson have already inked their letters of intent. Three-star recruit Nigel Bethel from Miami Northwestern is another player that could potentially sign with Miami in February.
The other four-star player the Hurricanes are targeting is former Florida State commit wide receiver Marquez Ezzard. Ezzard is listed as an athlete by 247. He is the 331st ranked player in the class of 2018, the 16th ranked athlete and the 37th best player in a strong class from Georgia.
Next: Miami Hurricanes received 17 letters of intent in early signing period
The remainder of the players that are strongly considering Miami are three-star players. The Hurricanes are still after several high-profile recruits. Some player surprise late with the college decisions and a lot can happen in the six weeks between now and signing day in February.