The 2021 Miami football recruiting class remains strong at linebacker after legacy Branden Jennings recently committed to Michigan.
The recent de-commitment of linebacker Braden Jennings from Florida State gave the Miami football program hope he would join his brother in Coral Gables. Jennings committed to Michigan earlier this month. The Hurricanes still have three linebackers committed for 2021, with one potentially moving to defensive end.
Jennings is the brother of Miami starting middle linebacker Bradley Jennings Jr. and the son of former Florida State LB Bradley Jennings Sr. Jennings Jr. has 18 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack in five games for the Miami football team in 2020. Jennings Sr. played at Florida State from 1998-2001.
Jennings Sr. was a member of the Seminoles 1999 National Championship team and the 2000 Florida State team that lost in the BCS Championship Game. Branden Jennings chose Michigan over Clemson and Miami after decommiting from Florida State. Jennings had 42 scholarship offers to choose from.
Miami is still recruiting St. Thomas Aquinas LB Jaydon Hood who is also committed to Michigan. Hood has had a big adjustment at Aquinas after transferring from Palm Beach Cardinal Newman per Gaby Urrtia of Inside the U who observed Hood after the game. Hood is still committed to Michigan after Jennings’ commitment.
Michigan gets a commitment from ESPN 300 linebacker Branden Jennings, ranked No. 67 overall.#Wolverines now have 10 ESPN 300 commitments, three of which are linebacker prospects. pic.twitter.com/dqL5AnXyJH
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 16, 2020
Hood is also stated Minnesota and Mississippi State are in touch with him as well. The 2021 recruiting class for the Miami football program is in good shape at LB with or with Jennings. Three-stars Tyler Johnson and Deshaun Troutman are projected to stay at LB for Miami. Thomas Davis projects as an edge rusher for the Hurricanes.
Five-star James Williams is the top-athlete in the Class of 2021. Williams plays safety for American Heritage but will likely move to striker for Miami. The striker position for the Hurricanes is a hybrid of safety and LB. Junior Gilbert Frierson is the current starting striker for Miami but has two seasons of eligibility beyond 2020.
The Miami football staff also likes the potential of sophomore Keontra Smith. Frierson is fourth on Miami with 20 tackles, second with six tackles for loss and has two pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Smith has seven tackles and one pass breakup this season. Williams will find a way to get snaps.
Redshirt senior Zach McCloud will likely leave for the NFL. McCloud has the option to return after the NCAA granted all 2020 fall sports athletes an extra year of eligibility. Unless Miami someone transfers, all of the other LBs for Miami are likely to return in 2021. The Hurricanes will have good depth even without Branden Jennings.