Miami football staff holds two hour zoom call with Palmetto HS Coaches

Palmetto high school in Miami is one of the most important in the 2021 recruiting cycle. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Miami football staff held a two-hour zoom meeting with the Palmetto staff in the last month.

Palmetto high school in Miami has five players rated three-stars or higher that are being recruited by the Miami football program for 2021. The Miami football staff held a two-hour zoom meeting with the Panthers staff last month according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Palmetto head coach Mike Mansco spoke to Jackson.

Among the things that the Hurricanes coaching staff is trying to accomplish, especially with three new coaches on offense, are to develop a rapport with local high school coaching staffs and players. Jackson mentioned that the staff knows some of the coaches from previous coaching jobs.

New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has roots in the Southeast with experience at 2006 Arkansas as a graduate assistant from 2009–2010, Auburn as a GA in 2011 and stops at Samford, Arkansas State and back to Auburn as an assistant coach at those the final three stops from 2011-16.

Lashlee became familiar with South Florida recruiting for the Razorbacks, Tigers, Bulldogs and Red Wolves. New offensive line coach Garin Justice held the same position at FIU in 2016-17. New wide receivers coach Rob Likens has coached at North Alabama, Louisiana Tech and Temple who recruits hard in South Florida.

Manasco provided Jackson with some insight on Lashlee, Likens and Justice, Lashlee is known as a young, bright offensive mind. Lashlee turning around the Hurricanes offensive is critical for recruiting for the Miami football roster. Putting points on the board this season is key for Miami. Manasco praised Lashlee.

"“Knows his stuff, has great energy. Players are drawn to coaches with energy. The offense he runs will score points.”"

Manasco told Jackson he appreciated the time that the Miami football staff took to work with the Palmetto staff. Jackson and Manasco discussed what the two groups discussed and how the meetings took place and evolved. The meeting was productive and should benefit both staffs in the future.

"“We started out as a whole staff, then broke up into offense, defense.(The staffs discussed) philosophy (and) how they do things” with drills and preparation as told by Manasco to Jackson. “It was nice to make it personal.”"

The Miami football staff is hoping that the Zoom meeting benefits them in recruiting with Palmetto specifically and in broader sense throughout South Florida. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, cornerback Jason Marshall, defensive tackle Savion Collins, safety Corey Collier Jr and all-purpose back Brashard Smith are highly ranked.

Taylor and Marshall are five-star recruits, Collins and Collier four-star and Smith three-stars. Miami is going to have to have to produce win big in 2020 to have a chance at the Palmetto players. Collins is the only one commited to Miami but analysts unanimously have him projected to flip to Florida.

Taylor and Marshall also currently projected to commit to Florida with Smith and Collier still largely unknown college football program they are leaning to if any. Manasco told Jackson that the Miami football team is going to have to win big in 2020 to catch the eye of his highly ranked players and he discussed Collier’s recruitment.

"“That’s huge; the Miami coaches know that…The product on the field is the biggest determining factor for a lot of top recruits. They want to see Miami do well. We all do….UM, UF, FSU all have a legit chance to get Corey…Corey will instantly change the locker room. He’s a great kid. He’s a tremendous man-cover guy.His ability to play the football is what separates him. Long kid, so his range is good. He can change the dynamic of your defense because he can do so much well.”"

The Miami football program is also strongly in the recruitment with Taylor and Marshall. Marshall has an announced top three of Alabama, Clemson and Florida, but an exceptional season by the Hurricanes might change that. Manasco also discussed Marshall and Taylor’s recruitments with Jackson.

"“He’s (Marshall) more open to a lot more schools…Miami has a shot at all these guys. Marshall is the most sought-after cover corner in this class.Miami is in the picture with him (Taylor). He likes the hometown thing. He wants to see Miami play well this year. He’s a specimen, one of those kids you look at and say he will play on Sunday.”"

It has been widely reported that Taylor will consider Miami if they have what is widely considered a successful season. Jackson described that as “crack the top 20, make the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, and are at least competitive against Clemson in that game, and win their bowl game.”

Those are all reasonable but tough accomplishments. The expectation to sign everyone but maybe Smith is probably nine or 10 wins and being ranked in the top 20. The elite players want to play for elite teams. Miami needs more than one exceptional season to be back among the college football blue bloods.

For now, an outstanding 2020 season might be enough to keep Collins, convince Taylor to sign with the Miami football program and for Smith to sign. Collier and Marshall seem like the biggest reach of the Palmetto Five. The Zoom meetings between the Miami and Palmetto staffs is an excellent start.