The need-to-know in Canes recruiting: Offense

Since the 2020 season kicked off, Miami’s noise on the recruiting trail has died dow just a tad bit but the momentum is still strong. The 9th-ranked Canes sit with 21 commits for the 2021 class, which is ranked 9th in the nation and 2nd in the ACC. So where does Miami stand with each position and what names should you be familiar with heading into next month’s Early Signing Period? Here’s some updates for you on the offensive side of the ball. 

Quarterback

Commits: None

Targets: Jake Garcia (Loganville Grayson, GA)

As the saying goes, you need a quarterback in every class. Regardless of how many you have on their roster or how many you took in the previous class, YOU NEED A QUARTERBACK. I think everyone can agree that a surplus of QB’s on your roster is better than a shortage.

At this point, there’s pretty much only one guy that QBs coach/OC Rhett Lashlee has his sights set on and that’s Valdosta’s (GA) Jake Garcia. Garcia is originally from El Habra, CA but transferred to Valdosta after the state of California pushed back the 2020 high school football season to at least this upcoming spring. That meant no senior season for Garcia and with family living in the Atlanta area, it was a move that both him and his family were up for. However, Garcia’s season was cut short recently. After an ESPN feature story on how his family made the move and how he was cleared to transfer, two neighboring (and rival) schools of Valdosta filed a complaint. Somehow and some way, Garcia was allowed to transfer AGAIN to Grayson High in nearby Loganville, GA and play immediately. 

Jake Garcia in midseason form with this bomb to Jaden Smith 💣 @JakeGarcia14 @jadoejumpman27 @grayson_fb pic.twitter.com/aZSEOYFSN2

— Who's Next (@WhosNextHS) October 31, 2020

Miami’s been on his tail for quite a while, even while he’s been committed to USC, and this will continue to be a recruitment to watch for two reasons: the first is that he is one of two QBs committed to the Trojans (Miller Moss), and secondly, USC recently offered another QB out of Utah. That can only mean that they do not feel comfortable with the commitment status of one of their QB’s (take a wild guess). But according to some of the guests we’ve had on The Sixth Ring (Gaby Urritia of 247Sports and Stefan Adams of CanesInsight), for how long this saga has dragged on, it is concerning that Garcia has not switched his commitment. The situation is definitely fluid at this point.

Running Back

Commits: Thaddeus Franklin (Hollywood Chaminade Madonna, FL)

The Canes currently have four scholarship backs on the team, including two highly-touted freshmen in Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney, but there’s a decent possibility that Knighton and Chaney could be the only two backs left in 2021. There’s also junior Cam Harris, who could opt for the NFL Draft, and Robert Burns, who I’m predicting to grad transfer in lieu of more playing time at another program. 

It’s looking more likely that they’re going to stick with just Franklin, the 6’2” bruiser back out of Broward County, as their only other target was Miami Central’s Amari Daniels. Daniels recently committed to Texas A&M. 

Thad Franklin with the cutback and the 30-yard touchdown run, and Chaminade-Madonna stretches the lead to 27-7 late in the third. @Gucciboypopo pic.twitter.com/2hmj9AqS3v

— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) October 26, 2019

Wide Receiver

Commits: Jacolby George (Plantation, FL), Romello Brinson (Miami Northwestern, FL), Brashard Smith (Miami Southridge, FL)

The haul at receiver as of now should bring much excitement for Canes fans moving forward. In my opinion, Brinson is very underrated with solid speed and excellent footwork, even as the 24th-best receiver in the nation. Standing 6’2”, 180 lbs, he’s bound to fight for playing time in 2021 and could be a WR1 in the future. His skill set was on full display against Miami Southridge and five-star Florida commit Jason Marshall.

Some of Romello Brinson’s catches. Also had a 40-yard gain. pic.twitter.com/dYG0MsoghN

— Andrew Ivins (@Andrew_Ivins) November 6, 2020

Miami also has Jacolby George committed, who’s also a four-star recruit, is probably the best receiver in Broward County and is not that far behind Brinson in the rankings. George only weighs in at 161 so he probably needs a year or two to add weight to see substantial playing time. 

To finish it off, Brashard Smith is on the shorter end of the stick at 5’8” but he is the ideal fit for Rhett Lashlee’s offense in the slot. 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins describes him as “a menace in the slot that’s capable of scoring anytime he touches the ball.”

Tight End

Commits: Elijah Arroyo (Independence Frisco, TX), Khalil Brantley (Miami Northwestern, FL)

Miami’s set, pretty much. The Canes should expect to lose Brevin Jordan after this season and possibly Will Mallory, which would leave them with just two scholarship tight ends in Larry Hodges and Dominic Mammarelli. Arroyo is a four-star prospect, ranked as the third-best tight end in the nation according to 247Sports and he’s been a star for Frisco so far this season. Through the first 3 games, he’s had 15 catches for 321 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Brantley is one of three Miami Northwestern commits in the fold and is a key piece of the Bulls as they are considered to be the best high school team in South Florida. 

Offensive Line

Commits: Laurence Seymore (Miami Central, FL), Michael McLaughlin (Parkland Stoneman Douglas, FL), Ryan Rodriguez (Miami Christopher Colombus, FL)

Targets: Austin Barber (Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy, FL)

Yeah yeah, you’ve heard the concerns about Miami’s OL from the past couple of years. For the most part, there’s still a lot of youth and inexperience but as it stands, Miami has a great trio of linemen committed and they’re the best of the best in South Florida. The highest-rated commit is Laurence Seymore, who is rated as the 10th-best guard in the country. Seymore is also Miami’s longest-tenured commit, having been committed since March of 2018. The 6’7” McLaughlin has since added good weight since committing to the Canes earlier this year and is hitting close to 300 pounds. Rodriguez looks to be the center of the future for Miami and is next in line to replace Corey Gaynor after this season. 

One name to watch going forward is Austin Barber out of Jacksonville. He recently backed off his pledge to Minnesota and OL coach Garin Justice has made frequent contact with him. However, as Adams reported on our show, it’s still relatively early in Miami’s chase for Barber and considering Miami now has 3 spots open, I would not be surprised if things heat up in Miami’s favor. 

https://twitter.com/Andrew_Ivins/status/1322229032012959745

Be sure to look out for another episode of The Sixth Ring on Friday night as we preview the Canes taking on Virginia Tech. Stay tuned to @5ReasonsCanes and @PaulAustria_ on Twitter for the latest in Hurricanes news and catch us on The Sixth Ring show twice a week as well pre and post-game.

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