Miami football potential of flipping two Alabama commits

With nine days left until National Signing Day, the Miami football program could potentially flip Alabama commits Defensive Lineman Khris Bogle and Cornerback Christian Williams.

Bogle is a local player from Cardinal Gibbons in Fort Lauderdale. Williams is from Daphne, Alabama but seems to be the more likely of the two to flip to the Miami Football program.

Bogle was a prohibitive favorite to sign with Miami according to the 247Sports crystal ball earlier this month. He announced he would be attending Alabama earlier this month at the Army All America game.

Both Bogle and Williams are four-star Defenders who would provide a big boost to the Miami Surge ’19 recruiting class. Most of the players that signed or committed to the Hurricanes for 2019 are on defense.

Bogle is 6’3.5 212. He obviously needs to bulk up before being able to contribute up front. Bogle is the 71st ranked player in the Class of 2019, the third-ranked weakside defensive end and the tenth ranked player in Florida.

Bogle’s mother Octavia Bates spoke to 247’s Alabama site Bamaonline about where her son is at in his recruitment process, where he could take his last official visit and how coaching changes affect the process.

"Well this is my first time going through all of this,” Bogle’s mother…No one ever warned me about this. But, to me, all of this is a cutthroat environment, because coaches leave and go to other schools. I told him, you just have to forget about the coaches right now…“I know they just hired some new coaches,” Bates said. “I know they’re trying to fill the gap.“I want him to go to the school that’s going to develop him the most…I know any of the four schools (other than Alabama) are good schools. He has relationships with most of the coaches. But when it comes down to the football part and the development part, I just feel like Coach (Nick) Saban would be the go-to guy.Just looking at his record. Tennessee and Miami, they’re fairly new head coaches; I don’t know much about UF’s head coach, so I can’t speak on that. That’s just how I feel — that Saban would be the one that would develop him for the next level.He wants to play on Sundays. That’s been the goal this whole time.”I really don’t know,…I told him I want him to go for the school. Even this morning, we had a short conversation, I told him I want you to eliminate all the coaches and go for the school. So we’ll see.”"

Ms. Bates brings up an interesting point. When it comes to the school or football program should the player consider the coach? How does that hurt or help the Miami football program with Bogle? Alabama is clearly the better football program at this point.

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Bogle might decide to change his mind and attend school closer to home. That clearly gives the Hurricanes an advantage. It’s tough to see a path where Bogle flips at this point. Williams seems more likely to flip schools. Most recruiting experts expect him to do so. Williams is the type of big cornerback that Manny Diaz prefers.

Recently graduated Miami cornerback Michael Jackson is the perfect example. Although Diaz didn’t recruit Jackson to Miami, he’s the ideal cornerback in Diaz’s defense. Jackson is 6’1 200 pounds and physical. He was named honorable mention All-ACC in 2018.

Williams is an interesting recruiting target. He’s still listed as sticking with his commitment to Alabama by 62 percent of the 247Sports prognosticators.  The interest per 247 to Alabama is soft. Miami is listed as warm with LSU and Texas A&M. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald quoted CaneSport about Williams’ status.

"“Williams is still on the Alabama commitment list, but he is not expected to sign with the Crimson Tide…He took an official visit to Miami last week, he is planning to visit LSU next week, and this weekend, he will be at Texas A&M.The Aggies are a new school in this race, so how will Williams feel in College Station? The word is he had a great time at Miami and has gotten pretty comfortable with the Hurricane coaching staff.”"

Players can take a second visit to schools with new Head Coaches. That might help open the door for Bogle flipping and deciding to stay home. The selling point on Williams could be helping to rebuild Miami instead of just being another player in Alabama’s success.

Bogle is likely to stick with his Alabama commitment according to multiple reports. Williams could easily flip to Miami. The Hurricanes currently only have safety Keontra Smith and his high school teammate Te’Cory Crouch as the only defensive backs currently committed to Miami in the Surge ’19 Class.