Miami football building speedy 2023 class
By the time the Miami football program begins to sign players on Early National Signing Day in December, they will likely have several players with exceptional speed added to their roster. Three Miami prospects were mentioned in the 247 Sports article by Andrew Ivins “The need for speed: The 9 fastest recruits in America.”
Wide receiver Jalen Brown, edge rusher Nyckoles Harbor and running Chris Johnson who are all strongly considering the Miami football program were named among the nine fastest recruits in America by Ivins. Current 2023 Miami commits Nathaniel Joseph, Robert Stafford and Robby Washington also have excellent speed.
Brown ran 10.66 in the 100 meters in May 2021 and 21.36 in the 200 meters in February 2021. Ivins reported that Brown ran a 20.98 200 in April to break the district meet record. Brown has run a personal best of 10.65 100 meters and 21.23 200. Both 247 Sports crystal balls project Brown to commit to Miami.
Harbor is a freakish athlete at 6’5, 225 pounds who is projected as an edge rusher. With a 10.28 in the 100 and 20.63 in the 200 Harbor has the potential to become a professional track athlete. The recruitment or Harbor is wide open. No crystal balls from 247 Sports have been logged for Harbor yet.
There's momentum, there's being hot, there's being on fire, and then there's whatever the Hurricanes staff is right now on the recruiting trail.
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) July 2, 2022
Johnson would provide Miami with speed as a track athlete at Fort Lauderdale Dillard. Per Ivins, Johnson earned two gold medals at the Florida State meet. The 247 Sports profile for Johnson lists him as recording 10.45 in the 100 meters and 20.78 in the 200 meters in May. No crystal balls are currently projected for Johnson.
Joseph has experience running track. The 247 Sports profile lists Joseph with a seven out of 10 in speed. Ivins reported there is not much information on speed numbers for Joseph other than he ran 4.2 seconds in the short shuttle. Joseph has deceptive speed rated as a 10 in yards after the catch.
The 247 Sports scouting report evaluated Stafford as “an explosive multi-sport athlete…with his fast-twitch muscle fibers and insane ups. Tested off the charts…posting the fastest 40-yard dash at an invite-only camp loaded with talented skill players. Also had the best vertical jump out of anyone that day.”
Ivins evaluated the speed and athleticism of Washington.“Blessed with the speed that everyone looks for down in South Florida. Uses quick feet to create separation at the line of scrimmage and then get vertical in a hurry. Evasive in the open field and can turn what should be a five-yard gain into a chunk play.”
Next. Miami prospect Francis Mauigoa July 4 commitment. dark
When Miami rose to power in the 1980s their exceptional speed over opponents was a big reason. Adding these six would be a big boost to the speed on the Miami football roster. Breakaway speed on offense and the speed off the edge Harbor would bring on defense would provide Miami with difficult matchups for opponents.