The Miami football program has done an exceptional job keeping in-state players home with commits locally and statewide in the Class of 2021.
The battle for players from the state of Florida is always fierce between the big three of Florida, Florida State and Miami football programs in each recruiting class. Although the Gators currently have the highest-ranked class of the three, the Hurricanes are the program recruiting the best in Florida.
Bud Elliott of 247Sports tracks recruiting in the state of Florida in what he calls the Sunshine State scorecard. With 2021 commits, the Miami football program has had the most success with in-state players. The job Manny Diaz and his staff have done with the Class of 2021 has been exceptional.
Miami has two five-star commits for the first time since they signed three in 2008. Athlete James Williams who is likely to play linebacker or striker and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor are ranked ninth and 12th according to the 247Sports composite rankings. The Hurricanes have continued to be hot on the recruiting trail.
Thursday night Miami received commit from four-star athlete Chase Smith who is the son of former Miami All-American tight end, Willie Smith. Smith is also likely to be a striker or LB in college as the Hurricanes continue to add versatile athletes in the class of 2021. Elliot discussed Miami’s 2021 recruiting success.
First I want to thank God, along with all the family, friends, and coaches that have helped me prosper through this journey. Proud is an understatement to how I feel in my commitment to the University of Miami🟢🟠. #GoCanes @canesfootball @Coach_MannyDiaz pic.twitter.com/GmXHQaAtJw
— Chase Smith (@Chasesmith2021) August 28, 2020
"“Miami continued its hot run from August in landing five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, also of Palmetto. And it also gained a commitment from Chase Smith, a four-star athlete from Palm Bay (Fla.) Bayside.Palm Bay is outside the traditional “state of Miami” territory, but Miami continues to play well with prospects close to home. Miami’s class sits at eighth nationally…So far, Miami has 11 commitments from four- and five-stars in the state of Florida.How well Miami looks on the field in prior years has had an impact on its ability to hold on to commitments from talented local prospects, but it appears that the Hurricanes could enter the season, assuming one is played in the fall, with a sizable lead on the Gators and Seminoles in the state.Even with the obvious benefit of the pandemic keeping players home, Miami beating out Florida to this point is surprising. The Hurricanes have more four- and five-stars from Florida committed than UF and FSU combined.”"
Miami has two five-star commits in the class of 2021 with Taylor and Williams and nine four-star commits from Florida led by Miami Northwestern WR Romello Brinson. The Gators have no commits from five-star recruits in-state and seven from four-star commits. Florida State has just two four-star commits from Florida.
One play to watch who could tip the rankings in Florida’s favors four-star DT Savion Collins. Collins is currently commited to Miami, but both crystal balls are projected in favor of Florida. Collins is a teammate at Miami Palmetto with Miami commits Taylor and three-star WR Brashard Smith.
Cornerback Jason Marshall and safety Corey Collier who are both graded as four-stars are currently commited to Florida from Palmetto. Collins’ high school teammates could have something to say about what he decides to do. The battle for Florida and Miami in recruiting is as much with out-of-state programs as each other.
According to Elliott “Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Clemson have been better than the Florida schools over the last half-decade to a decade.” If the Florida, Florida State and Miami football programs are going to return to being among the elite in college football they have to recruit in-state blue-chip players at a higher rate.