The Miami football program has ascended in the recruiting rankings with each of Mark Richt’s three classes signed. His staff has done an exceptional job getting talent to Coral Gables. The most recent recruiter rankings by 247 Sports reflect that.
The Miami Football staff has two assistant coaches ranked in the top five in the ACC in recruiting, four in the top nine and five in the top 14. Clemson dominated the top of the rankings. The Tigers have two of the top three recruiters in the ACC.
After that, the list extends out with the Hurricanes having the most depth of quality recruiters on their staff. Wide receivers Coach Ron Dugans is the highest ranked Miami Assistant Coach when it comes to recruiting. He is fourth on the list. His immediate boss Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown is fifth.
After Dugans and Brown, Safties Coach Ephraim Banda is eighth, Tight Ends Coach Todd Hartley is ninth and Offensive Line Coach Stacy Searles is 14th. The list ranks 90 ACC Assistant Coaches.
Three other current Miami Football Assistants made the list. Cornerbacks Coach Mike Rumph is 22nd, Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz came in 34th and Quarterbacks Coach Jon Richt is 56th.
Stormin in Norman
Banda is responsible for the most Miami recruits with seven. The scores are based solely on 2018. Dugans cumulative score to lead all Miami coaches was a 65.10. His average score for recruits was a 91.94. The explanation of 247 Sports formula is in the article that’s linked.
Jon Richt had the highest average score of Miami coaches. With only one recruit that gave him a big advantage. Freshman Quarterback Jarren Williams was the one player he was responsible for signing with the Miami Football program. Williams scored a 96.14.
One of the things that Mark Richt has been able to build in his three years leading the Miami football program is continuity. The entire staff except for defensive line coach Jess Simpson has been with Richt during his entire tenure at Miami. Simpson replaced Craig Kuligowski who left for Alabama in the offseason.
Miami’s recruiting classes under Richt have gone from their first class in 2016 being ranked 22nd to 12th in 2017 and eighth in 2018.
Miami’s 2019 class is currently ranked 15th. the rankings have had a lot of fluctuation lately. With over six months left until the early signing day and almost seven until the traditional signing day, there is a lot of time to move up. The Hurricanes hold the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class for 2020.
Next: Mark Richt's first Miami recruiting class mostly boom or bust
The success that Richt has built during his first two seasons on the field, the 15 players that have been drafted from Miami during his tenure and the atmosphere during games at Hard Rock Stadium have all had a positive impact on the Miami recruiting. That should all continue to build in the future.