Corey Flagg commitment to Miami football essential for future on defense

The commitment by three-star Class of 2020 linebacker Corey Flagg to the Miami football program is essential for the success of the future of the Hurricanes defense.

The loss of senior linebackers Shaq Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud and senior striker Romeo Finley make signing linebackers for the Miami football recruiting class of 2020 essential. The LBs currently on the roster behind the Hurricanes senior triad have all struggled with injuries.

Corey Flagg is a 5’10 223 pound inside linebacker from North Shore high school in Houston. He is the 842nd ranked player, 34th ranked inside linebacker and 115th ranked player in Texas. Flagg is the 16th player to commit to the Hurricanes in the Class of 2020. He’s only the second LB committed to Miami in this cycle.

Outside linebacker Alvin Mathis is also committed to Miami. Mathis is the 811th ranked player overall, 57th best at his position and 107th in Florida. With the aforementioned departures after the 2020 season, adding more LB depth in the 2020 cycle is essential. Flagg announced his commitment to Miami via Twitter Monday.

Flagg was a tackling machine during his junior season. He was very disruptive and helped North Shore win a Texas state championship. Flagg recorded144 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2018. He added five forced fumbles and four pass breakups. Flagg chose Miami over 12 other programs.

Miami signed a pair of star outside linebackers in their 2019 recruiting class. Four-star Avery Huff and three-star Samuel Brooks could contribute as freshmen depending on the health of the linebackers currently in front of them. DeAndre Wilder’s career could be over with a neck injury.

Bradley Jennings and Waynmon Steed’s 2019 seasons are in question as they recover from injuries. Miami has hosted a pair of LBs in the 2020 class recently. Three-star OLB Romello Height from Dublin, Georgia was in Coral Gables Father’s Day weekend with Flagg. Tirek Austin-Cave was in Miami earlier this month.

Austin-Cave knew the history of great LBs in the Miami football program. He did research on the programs that have produced LBs to the NFL and stated that “Miami is up there.” Flagg’s decision to commit to Miami was cemented with his visit to Coral Gables this weekend. He discussed his decision with Manny Navarro of The Athletic.

"“It’s funny. I kind of liked Florida State growing up and never really saw myself at Miami, honestly. I was a Ray Lewis fan, but Miami never really entered my mind. When they started recruiting me, it opened my eyes. Then I went on my (official) visit and I said, ‘This is the place.’“It’s appealing (being able to play right away). But I’m a confident dude. I feel like anywhere I go, I’m starting. The coaches want me to play inside linebacker and will — the same position Shaq and Pinckney play.”"

In Miami’s 4-3 defensive, Pinckney is more of an outside linebacker in the will or weakside linebacker spot. At 6’1 236 pounds, Quarterman is significantly bigger than Flagg. He is also four years older with extensive time in the weight room at Miami.

New Miami strength and conditioning coach David Feeley has quickly made an impact. Flagg and Mathis are the two lowest-ranked LBs that Miami has offered for 2020 according to Navarro. The Hurricanes have offers out to 20 LBs for 2020. None of the players that are listed as warm on UM have above a three-star ranking.