Miami football dominating recruiting in-state running backs

The Miami football program is dominating in-state rivals recruiting the best running backs in the last two classes in South Florida.

The Miami football program has received huge contributions from freshmen running backs Don Chaney Jr. and Jaylan Knighton early in the 2020 season. Chaney was the top-ranked signee at RB from Dade County in the Class of 2020 and Knighton was top-ranked in Broward County. The Hurricanes are securing their home territory.

Miami has a commitment from the top-ranked RB from Broward and the second-ranked in Florida for 2021 Thad Franklin. Florida is still searching for RBs. The Gators have not signed a high school RB since 2019 and do not have one committed for 2021. Florida State also does not have a RB committed to its 2021 recruiting class.

The Seminoles did sign four-star RB Lawrance Toafili in the Class of 2020. Toafili has been impressive for Florida State with eight carries for 64 yards and three receptions for 47 yards. The Pinellas Park high school alum was the 231st ranked player, 19th ranked RB and 35th ranked player in Florida in 2020.

Knighton was ranked 101st, 10th and 16th, Chaney was 114th, 11th and 18th. Being able to sign and get commitments from the top RBs in South Florida, especially beating out Florida and Florida State for them deserves praise for Manny Diaz and his staff. In the past, FSU and Florida have been able to almost cherry-pick South Florida.

At his (re) introductory press conference as head coach in January 2019, Diaz stated his intention to bring back the virtual State of Miami in recruiting began by former Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger over 30 years ago. Schnellenberger told his staff he wanted a virtual fence around Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

The dividends have paid off quickly with the contributions made by Chaney and Knighton through the first three Miami football games in 2020. If Diaz and his staff can continue to sign the top RBs in South Florida consistently the offense for the Hurricanes will continue to thrive.