Miami football classes of 2020 and 21 have DL depth without Donnell Harris

The recent de-commitment and re-classification of 2021 Miami football recruit Donell Harris created national news. The Hurricanes defensive line in the next two recruiting cycles has depth and other prospects UM is pursuing.

The news of four-star defensive end Donnell Harris’ de-commitment from the Miami football program and re-classification from 2021 to 2020 sent Hurricanes and college football social media into a frenzy. Even without Harris, the Hurricanes have cultivated ample depth on the defensive line in the next two recruiting cycles.

Harris initially committed to the Miami football program in July 2018 just ahead of his sophomore year in high school. That commitment held for 11 months until his de-commitment earlier this week. Harris’ decision to reopen his commitment has college football talking. Several high-level programs are now in play.

Most of the major sports news outlets published stories regarding Harris’ decision and where he ultimately will sign a national letter of intent. Losing potential signees happens every week, if not everyday to most major programs. Harris is still considering Miami but wanted to have other options open to him.

Nineteen different Power Five programs and a handful of group of five football programs with virtually no chance of signing Harris are among his suitors. Harris spoke to 247 Sports about his decisions to reopen his recruitment and reclassifying for 2020.

"“I’m going to still consider Miami, but my dad just wanted me to open up my options and see what all these schools have to offer. Right now I’m not fully a 2020 – I got to take some classes – but I want to do that.”"

Harris’ decision impacts the Miami recruiting classes of 2020 and 2021. The Hurricanes have a lot of talent and depth on the defensive line committed to signing National Letters of Intent in 2020 and 2021.

If he remains in the class of 2021, Harris is ranked as the fourth best player overall, the top player at defensive end and overall player in Florida. Harris is not ranked in the class of 2020. His situation is in flux. It remains to be seen if the classes Harris mentioned taking will be enough for him to reclassify to 2020.

Harris is a four-star prospect. He has a grade of 97 according to 247. Harris would be Miami top-ranked player in the class fo 2021 and second best commit in 2020. Only five-star 2020 running back Don Cheney is graded higher at .9871. Harris would be the top-ranked defensive player in either Miami’s next two recruiting classes.

The Miami football program has a lot of talent committed to them on the defensive line in 2020 and ’21. Strongside defensive end Samuel Anaele has been committed to Miami since January 2018. He is still taking visits to other schools. Anaele is the 161st ranked player, the 10th best SDE and 23rd player in Florida for 2020.

Anaele graded out at .9365. The Carol City star is the highest ranked defensive player in Miami’s 2020 and 2021 classes combined. Three-star commit Tre’von Riggins is the only defensive end the Hurricanes have at the position for the next two cycles other than Anaele.

Four-star defensive tackle Willie Moise is committed to Miami for 2020. Defensive tackles, four-star Savion Collins from Miami Southwest and three-star Anthony Hundley from Booker T. Washington are committed to the Hurricanes for 2021.