Miami football can sign five stars back to back years first time since 2012
The Miami football program has a chance to sign five-star players in back-to-back years for the first time since 2012. The Hurricanes signed defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safety James Williams in 2021 for their first five-star players since running back Lorenzo Lingard in 2018. Miami leads for five-star DL 2020 Shermar Stewart.
In 2012 the Miami football program signed running back Duke Johnson and cornerback Tracy Howard as the previous pair of five-star players to join the Hurricanes in the same class. Five-star defensive end Anthony Chickillo signed with Miami in 2011. Miami needs to keep adding elite talent to return to the top of college football.
Taylor and Williams will anchor the Miami defense of the future. The Hurricanes have the luxury of being deep at DT and safety to be able to bring them along until they are ready to contribute significantly. Jon Ford, Jared Harrison-Hunte and Nesta Jade Silvera will start 2021 taking the majority of the snaps at DT.
Bubba Bolden, Gurvan Hall and potentially Avantae Williams who did not play as a true freshman in 2020 will likely receive the majority of snaps at safety. Amari Carter switched from safety to striker during spring practice. Carter could still receive snaps at safety in 2021. Adding elite players usually builds with each recruiting class.
Manny Diaz discusses what it’s like having Paradise Camp back after a year without it and having another star-studded lineup of alumni to talk to the prospects. pic.twitter.com/WfjPmgKcdF
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) June 26, 2021
The Hurricanes have to win to show more five-star recruits they are serious about returning to the college football elite. Miami was unable to climb out of mediocrity with Chickillo, Howard and Johnson under former maligned head coach Al Golden. Mark Richt eventually pointed Miami in the right direction in 2016 and 2017.
The Hurricanes were 19-7 in the first two seasons under Richt. Miami finished 7-6 in Richt’s final season when he signed Lingard. Miami finished 6-7 in the first season under Manny Diaz before going 8-3 in 2020. Diaz has improved the talent on the Miami roster finishing 17th and 11th with the first two full classes he signed.]
Miami trending for 5-star DE Shemar Stewart. dark. Next
If Miami can sign Stewart the potential is there for five-star prospects in the Class of 2023 who are interested in Miami. A tandem of Stewart and Taylor on the future Miami DL could live in the opponents’ backfields. Diaz and his staff have done an excellent job improving the Hurricanes recruiting over the past three cycles.