Uncommitted recruits praise Miami football post Paradise Camp

Several uncommitted recruits praised the Miami football program after attending Paradise Camp this past weekend.

Riding the momentum of being the only, or one of few programs with a major camp last weekend the Miami football program received praise from multiple players who are still undecided where they will attend college. The uncommitted players come from the classes of 2020 and ’21.

The most prominent of the uncommitted recruits to praise the Miami football program is former Hurricanes commit James Williams. Williams size at safety is nearly unprecedented. At 6’5 218 pounds he would be the perfect hybrid player at striker in Manny Diaz’s defense. Williams de-committed from Miami in May.

One of the top players in the class of 2021, Williams is keeping his recruitment open. With his National Signing Day 18 months away he still has Miami on his radar after de-committing. The nation’s top safety and eighth-ranked player overall will be most of the most highly recruited players for 2021.

Williams verified to the Miami Herald that The New Miami is more than just a catch phrase or the #TNM hashtag popularized by Diaz. TNM has been frequently used by Diaz, Miami players and fans to preach about incoming transfers, recruits and other big news via social media. Williams likes the new vibe under Diaz.

"“It’s a new vibe. They’ve got a lot of more energy…’The New Miami’ is really new. … I already knew what it was going to be. He (Williams’ cousin, Miami RB Lorenzo Lingard) lets me do me,  He don’t really bother me.”"

Linebacker Zachary Lovett has Miami as one of eight schools he is considering for 2021. Georgia Tech, Missouri, Kansas, Purdue and a quartet of Group of Five schools are on Lovett’s radar. He enjoyed his experience at Paradise Camp last weekend. Lovett worked with defensive coordinator Blake Blake and LB coach Jonathan Patke.

"“It was fun…It was nice to compete. I liked being on campus. It was nice. I learned some new things and was able to show off some of my talent. It was nice to work on some of the pass drop stuff. We do a lot of man [at my school] so it was nice to get to work on Cover 2.(Patke) was saying it really nice to see me and that they want me. Miami is one of my top schools, Of course a lot of linebacker have came out of there, but just the way the school is and the way they are about things seems fun. I have also heard that it’s a good academic school.”"

Lovett’s comments came via Inside the U. He is 6’2 210 pounds. Defensive tackle Maason Smith from Houma Louisiana is a third player on the defensive side of the ball that had an extraordinary experience at Paradise Camp. Smith also praised his weekend in Coral Gables via Inside the U.

"“I liked it. It was good. It was my first time being in Miami so it was just really eye-opening because Miami is very culturally diverse. The city itself was great. Coral Gables is very nice. It’s a small private school off South Beach.”"

Smith went much further in depth with Ivins about his experience at Paradise Camp which he attended with his father and trainer. He was able to meet with Miami’s head athletic trainer and spoke about where the Miami football program is on his radar in the recruiting process. Smith retweeted Baker’s post from Paradise Camp.

"“Before the visit I had only really talked to Coach ((co-defensive coordinator Blake) Baker over the phone. He came by my school and he was just telling me the reason why he recruits Lousiana is because before Miami he was at Lousiana Tech. We have a good connection. I feel like I can talk to him more than just a coach.”I liked meeting with the head athletic trainer,. He was telling me how they have one of the top sports medicine programs in the country and that’s something I’m looking for in a college so that’s nice.The hospitality itself from the people in Miami. You can usually tell when somebody really wants you somewhere and I really felt that at Miami.”I keep track of my top schools as I’m going through this and Miami is definitely in there just because they are really nice people and I’m looking for a school where I can live, get a good education and get my work done because at the end of the day football doesn’t work out then I want to fall back on.I want to go somewhere where I feel comfortable. Like people always say: A home away from home. I don’t know exactly when, but I will be back for a game.”"

Smith is a rising junior. He would be a huge addition to the Miami football program’s 2021 recruiting class. Currently, at 6’4 299 pounds Smith is a perfect fit in the middle of a collegiate defensive line. The prospects Diaz and his staff have on their radar for 2021 will add to the Hurricanes class which is currently ranked first.

If Miami can stay atop the rankings for 2021, it would be the first time they have finished there since 2008. That class mostly did not turn out under Randy Shannon and ultimately cost him his job. Diaz has been compared to Jimmy Johnson. If he can evaluate talent like Johnson the Hurricanes rise will continue.