Two high level Miami football OL recruits announce decision day

Two high-level Miami football offensive line recruits tweeted out earlier this week when they will announce their college decision dates.

Five-star offensive tackle Evan Neal and four-star guard Dontae Lucas will both announce where they will be attending college on December 19. Neal and Lucas are both high priority players for the Miami football program to sign for the Surge ’19 recruiting class. They are teammates at IMG Academy in Bradenton.

Neal will announce his decision at 2:30 PM ET on ESPN. Lucas’ will make his collegiate choice known at 4:00 PM ET from Bru’s room in Miami. Neal is expected to commit to Alabama and Lucas is currently a verbal commit to Florida State.

The Miami football program desperately needs offensive lineman for the Surge ’19 Class. The Hurricanes lost four-star offensive tackle Michael Tarquin and three-star guard Kinsgley Eguakun on consecutive days earlier this week. Miami loses Senior starters, center Tyler Gauthier and left tackle Tyree St. Louis after this season.

There are no guarantees on the Miami offensive line next season. The most likely projection up front for the Hurricanes in 2019 is Navaugn Donaldson staying at right guard.

In Miami’s final regular season game against Pittsburgh, the Hurricanes other two starters on the offensive line who return are left guard Venzell Boulware and right tackle DJ Scaife. Boulware will be a Senior next season and Scaife will be a Sophomore. Both players will be in their second season with the Miami football team.

It has been reported widely this week that the Hurricanes got a bit unconventional to try and sign Neal. Miami has offered Neal’s brother Edrick a spot on the team as a preferred walk-on. Edrick graduated from high school in 2016.

Edrick was with Central Florida for one semester and was also with Division II Benedictine College in Columbia, South Carolina. The Miami Herald reported that Edrick said his high school playing weight was 450 pounds and that he is down to 390 pounds now.

Edrick was quoted in the Herald about the chance to play with his brother for the Miami football team.

"“It would because that’s been our dream, to all go to the NFL…but at the end of the day you only get one moment like this. This is Evan’s moment. This is his time to shine. Evan’s put in a lot of work.As far as having the chance to go to Miami and play, that would be great, man, but at the end of the day Evan’s options are completely open. I don’t want him to feel like I’m influencing him to go somewhere just because I’ve got some personal interest.”"

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Evan Neal is the 20th ranked overall prospect in the 247 Composite rankings for 2019. He is the fifth-ranked offensive tackle and third best player in Florida. The Neals have connections to the Miami football program.

According to the Herald, former Canes star running back Cleveland Gary is their cousin and former UM defensive lineman Jimmie Jones their Uncle. The Neals and Lucas visited the Miami football program last weekend.

They met with Head Coach Mark Richt, Offensive Line Coach Stacy Searles and Strength and Condition Coach Gus Felder. Edrick spoke more about the Neals visit to Miami.

"“We all just bonded and it really felt like home…We all really connected…I don’t see it as competition or anything. I see it as motivation because that’s my little brother.I want to encourage him to do everything he can to be the best he can be…My dad and my mom always raised us to, you know, always have these checks and balances within ourselves because at the end of the day we’re the only true friends we have."

Miami is one of three finalists to sign Lucas. The other two are hated Florida State and Florida. In a rare season, the Hurricanes will play both in 2019. Miami opens next September against the Gators at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game at Florida State is likely to be announced next month by the ACC.

Lucas is taking his official visit to Gainesville this weekend. He is the only offensive lineman committed to Florida State at this point. That’s one more than Miami has.