Miami football needs recruits who want to build something special

The Miami football Surge ’19 recruiting class is currently ranked 33rd nationally as the early signing period comes to a close on Friday. Manny Diaz and his staff have a lot of work to do in a short period of time to improve that.

The Miami football staff is far from finished after 15 players have signed National Letters of Intent during the early December signing period. Miami has a need a quarterback and are likely to be looking for an edge rusher, running back and offensive linemen after early losses to the NFL.

Manny Diaz received his biggest commitment in recruiting when the all Junior starting linebacking corps of Shaq Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud decided to return for their Senior seasons in 2019.

Their decision to return to Miami was in part on wanting to win a Championship. It was also likely after they evaluated their draft status and decided to return to Miami with a chance to continue to learn from Diaz, grow in their position and increase their status for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Miami lost defensive end Joe Jackson who led the Hurricanes in sacks this season, leading rusher Travis Homer and offensive guard Venzell Boulware a year early to the NFL. Only Jackson is expected to be a second-day selection among the early entrants from Miami.

None of the draft-eligible Hurricanes are expected to be taken in the first round. This is likely to be the first time since 2014 that Miami has gone two years in a row without a player being selected in the first round.

Miami lost out on all three players they were recruiting that announced their college destinations during the Army All-American Game on Saturday. The Hurricanes expected to lose out on five-star wide receiver Jadon Haselwood from Georgia and defensive back Tyrique Stevenson.