Miami football 2020: LB Tirek Austin-Cave could be ACC’s top sleeper recruit
Injuries and graduations have depleted the linebacking corps for the Miami football team. One of the Hurricanes incoming freshmen at the position was praised by 247Sports recruiting analysts as a sleeper recruit to watch.
The return of redshirt senior Zach McCloud and rising sophomore Sam Brooks is who the Miami football team is likely to start at linebacker in 2020. The Hurricanes are bringing in a plethora of LBs to compete for playing time with McCloud, Brooks and likely rising redshirt freshman Avery Huff for playing time in 2020.
McCloud played in four games in 2019 in order to maintain a redshirt season. The rising redshirt senior lost playing time beginning in 2018 due to the creation of the striker position. McCloud approached the Miami coaching staff this past season and asked to be redshirted. McCloud finished with eight tackles in 2019.
Brooks started and played alongside Miami football legend Shaq Quarterman in the Independence Bowl loss to Louisiana Tech. Brooks finished with an incredibly impressive 12 tackles and a half tackle for loss against the Bulldogs in place of Michael Pinckney who sat out to reportedly get ready for the NFL Draft.
In an article last month summing up early signing day, 247Sports rated incoming Miami freshman linebacker Tirek Austin-Cave was rated as the Sleeper Recruit for the ACC. Austin-Cave is the highest-rated of two LBs that Miami signed on early signing day in December. Corey Flagg will also join the Miami football program.
"“SLEEPER RECRUIT…There is a ton of talent in South Florida, but Miami went to Camden (N.J.) High to land inside linebacker Tirek Austin-Cave, and the Hurricanes think they have a stud to run their defense for a few seasons.Coach Manny Diaz learned of Austin-Cave during his short stint as Temple’s coach, and he made sure to recruit him to Miami. Austin-Cave is a very smart kid with the ability to play down hill and fill run gaps. He is physical. He is the No. 27 inside linebacker, but he has a good chance to outperform that ranking."
Austin-Cave had 148 tackles, 13.5 sacks and two interceptions in 2019. He projects as a middle or inside LB in the Miami defense. Austin-Cave will likely be groomed to take over from McCloud for the 2021 Miami football season. Other LBs on the Miami roster are Bradley Jennings Jr., Waymon Steed and Patrick Joyner.
Next. Miami Category '20: Two 3-star LBs add depth to Hurricanes. dark
It is possible that head coach Manny Diaz and defensive coordinator Blake Baker will seek to add a LB through the transfer portal or signing one during the traditional signing period in February. Miami will be woefully thin and other than McCloud very young at LB in 2020.