On Wednesday I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Under Armour All-American practice session and skills challenge at The Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World In Orlando, Florida.
The best of the best high school players in the Country are invited to participate in this prestigious event before National Signing Day. Among them were University of Miami recruits and verbal commitments QB Kevin Olsen and CB Artie Burns.
First of all, like everything Disney does, the facility is first class all the way. Well designed, nicely landscaped and friendly staff are everywhere. Just like Walt Disney imagined it to be all the time.
As I arrived at the practice fields I looked for the two UM verbal commits that were at the event: QB Kevin Olsen and CB Artie Burns.
I found them on an adjacent field playing for former NFL head coach Steve Marriuci who was coaching them up big time.
Olsen was large and in charge of the White Team offense. His talent was clearly evident as he hit several crisp passes to his receivers on consecutive repetitions on different areas of the field.
His posture, form and footwork were excellent and his delivery was also accurate and on time. His release is quick and precise. We like that.
He hit passes long and short and over the middle. His accuracy was simply amazing. His footwork was excellent and his balance was outstanding.
He did throw on interception to...wait for it...wait for it...Artie Burns. Imagine that! A future UM QB throwing an INT to a future UM CB.
So I ask U: What are the chances?
Olsen was seen chatting it up with several other high school all-stars and looked very comfortable in this environment. He is very mature and appears to be a real leader among his teammates.
We like that, we like that a lot. When we left the field we caught up with Kevin and we had the chance to chat with him for a while and managed to take a photo with him and our new friend David Kenyon at Bleacher Report.
After that we left the UAAA practice session and wondered out loud about the Miami Hurricanes chances for next year. And we decided that we like our chances very much thank U!
If you ain't first your last
Posted by: WWIN | January 03, 2013 at 10:17 PM
LAST!
Posted by: roachcane77 | January 03, 2013 at 10:22 PM
But a dirtbag in personality, trust me i've met and spoke with the guy countless times and you won't even believe the things he said about Randy Shannon years back when he was still in U of F, how he laughs about the U and that he thinks we're going nowhere but down!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | January 03, 2013 at 08:23 PM
You did hit em in da mouf after he said that right??? Lol
Posted by: WWIN | January 03, 2013 at 10:27 PM
Roach77...U gotta get busy and get with it if U wanna be first!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2013 at 10:47 PM
86 nice update on Kevin Olsen. Does he have better arm strength than Ken Dorsey?
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 10:53 PM
Thanks for getting that picture in 86! Had a great time talking CANES all day long.
Kevin seems like a stand-up guy and has the skills that I love to see. Can't wait for him to get on campus, but in the meantime he can throw up some []__[]'s!
http://bleacherreport.com/users/1309484-david-kenyon
I'd love to hear what you guys have to say on some of my articles. Thanks, and GO CANES!
Posted by: kenyon19ypr | January 03, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Dear Coach Larranaga,
Please recruit Andrew Wiggins from Canada a super star and a great kid. The no.1 recruit for the class of 2013.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/playerrankings/_/class/2013
http://www.google.ca/#hl=fr&gs_rn=1&gs_ri=hp&cp=9&gs_id=t&xhr=t&q=Andrew+Wiggins&pf=p&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=Andrew+Wi&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1355534169,d.cWE&fp=6817b556ba9fe934&bpcl=40096503&biw=1280&bih=668
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Does he have better arm strength than Ken Dorsey?
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 10:53 PM
Olsen makes Dorsey look like a noodle.
Child Please!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:02 PM
Nice updates 86.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 03, 2013 at 11:06 PM
Great updates! Looks like we are really getting a good one! I'll try not to get too excited.
Posted by: KiriJax | January 03, 2013 at 11:06 PM
Trust me this is GOOD and getting BETTER!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:10 PM
Nice to hear 86
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:14 PM
January 3, 2013
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Stefanie Yderstrom became just the 23rd player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau, as the Miami Hurricanes dispatched the visiting Clemson Tigers 78-56 Thursday night at the BankUnited Center.
Yderstrom, who entered the contest averaging 19.0 points in the team's last three games, helped the Canes improve their record to 11-2 overall and 2-0 ACC.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:18 PM
86 my comment is gone thatI just made ?
Posted by: laquinton | January 03, 2013 at 11:18 PM
We had such a GOOD time it was just totally unbelievable! The day, the weather and the players and coaches were awesome.
And meeting David from BR was also very nice and informative. He knows a lot of stuff about recruiting.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:20 PM
86 was the pick on Olsen or was it just a spectacular play by burns?
Posted by: Brevardcane | January 03, 2013 at 11:36 PM
Brevard...It was on Olsen, he threw it late and Burns jumped the route. Olsen threw his helmet in disgust after the play, he knew he screwed up.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:45 PM
Live and learn then..
Posted by: Brevardcane | January 03, 2013 at 11:49 PM
Ron Turner has signed a five-year contract at FIU worth $500,000 in base annually, which is slightly more than what Mario Cristobal got.
Mario Cristobal was fired at FIU for ... Ron Turner. Wow Pete Garcia is not a genius..
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:54 PM
Can we expect Kevin Olsen on campus in january as an EE?
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:56 PM
Brevard...Trust me this kid has the goods. He stands tall in the pocket, he does NOT flinch under pressure and he delivers a direct and catchable ball down the field. He gots skills!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:56 PM
U have to go to these events to really see these players compete against the best players. It is very eye opening. For example I was watching the DL/OL drills and there were two players on the OL getting dominated by the DL rep after rep.
One was #54 (I have no idea who he was) and the other was Ira Denson who I believe is a FSU recruit. That guy got burned every play because of his footwork. He was slow and had poor balance, not a good combo.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 04, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Im excited if olsen is this good early I can't wait till sophmore year when he will be ready. Dang when does football season start again? I can't wait much longer...
Posted by: panamacitycane | January 04, 2013 at 12:19 AM
Monty-
There's no way Coach L will waste his time recruiting Wiggins. The kid would be the top pick in the draft this year if allowed. I saw him play at the Lebron skills academy. Complete stud. Miami has to make a few Sweet 16s before they could land a player of his caliber.
Posted by: TLuv | January 04, 2013 at 01:19 AM
Just came back from the Fiesta Bowl. Oregon is the real deal, granted it was probably Chip Kelly's last game at Oregon. Really a well coached team. No dumb penalties or time outs. I gotta say Oregon's D might be undersized but they are quick and smart. Their O is unstoppable when they want to be.
One day Miami will be that team again.
They showed a lot of highlights from KSU's season and of course they showed a bunch of plays from the Miami game.
Miami was represented in the crowd... Saw a guy in my section wearing 'Canes hat & shirt.
Posted by: MIA Chi 'Cane '98 | January 04, 2013 at 01:33 AM
Posted by: TLuv | January 04, 2013 at 01:19 AM
TLuv if Florida State is after him i don't see why the Canes don't recruit him very hard. Read the latest update on his recruiting. This kid is the real deal for any program.Read the latest on his recruiting.
http://keepingitheel.com/2012/12/24/unc-basketball-recruiting-andrew-wiggins-to-the-tar-heels-fantasy-or-real-possibility/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1435960-florida-state-fans-and-cheerleaders-profess-love-for-andrew-wiggins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRxaHP4f9d8
The kid is smart humble extremely talented, already knows Lebron and he loves south Florida. If he ends up at a trash school like FSU we should be very upset...Larranaga should ask Al Golden to assist him in recruiting or i will go and get him next door in Toronto but that would be an NCAA violation since i am a UM Alumni so i will just calm down...lol...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 04, 2013 at 02:55 AM
SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE GATORS LEAVE THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR A NON-SEC GAME!!!YOU WILL NEVER SEE THEM LEAVE AGAIN
Posted by: canezilla | January 04, 2013 at 06:58 AM
Excited about Olsen! Interested who will get the nod at QB after Morris leaves. Williams has waited patiently but Olsen might be too good by then.
Posted by: Brevardcane | January 04, 2013 at 08:47 AM
I hope Olsen gets in early. He and Dobard are the ones that make this class click.
Posted by: LB | January 04, 2013 at 08:50 AM
Caneinsider:
Just saw some video of Foster. Tried to come off charming, but didn't quite work. Doesn't seem serious about UM.
Olsen seems sharp as a tack and media savvy. Burns is humble and a perfectionist.
Sebastian LaRue (WR, recent USC decommit) is Pat Hill's cousin. Doesn't know too much about the program. Too early. Unsure.
Posted by: LB | January 04, 2013 at 09:05 AM
You know how to make gator cookies? Throw them in the Sugar Bowl and beat them for three hours!
Posted by: Fish | January 04, 2013 at 09:44 AM
Dunno' if this been posted yet, sad yet i applaud Mr. Darrin Kitchens, respect to this young man!
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/lone-florida-player-stays-sing-final-alma-mater-172044134--ncaaf.html
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | January 04, 2013 at 10:31 AM
But a dirtbag in personality, trust me i've met and spoke with the guy countless times and you won't even believe the things he said about Randy Shannon years back when he was still in U of F, how he laughs about the U and that he thinks we're going nowhere but down!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | January 03, 2013 at 08:23 PM
You did hit em in da mouf after he said that right??? Lol
Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | January 03, 2013 at 10:27 PM
I would have only the dude is built like a rock! LoL
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | January 04, 2013 at 10:35 AM
Can we expect Kevin Olsen on campus in january as an EE?
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 03, 2013 at 11:56 PM
--------------------------------------
50/50 if grades can get cleared and approved in time.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 04, 2013 at 10:44 AM
You know how to make gator cookies? Throw them in the Sugar Bowl and beat them for three hours!
Posted by: Fish | January 04, 2013 at 09:44 AM
----------------------------------------
LMFAO! I'm stealing this!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 04, 2013 at 10:44 AM
Listening to a video, Olsen won't be an early entrant, as of right now.
Posted by: herbieibis | January 04, 2013 at 11:03 AM
How many think Mo comes on board tomorrow?
Posted by: herbieibis | January 04, 2013 at 11:04 AM
"How many think Mo comes on board tomorrow?"
Mo?
Posted by: LB | January 04, 2013 at 11:11 AM
Herbie..we should have two commits this weekend
Posted by: UMike | January 04, 2013 at 11:11 AM
or COULD have
Posted by: UMike | January 04, 2013 at 11:31 AM
why is it that one day on CANEsport someone is committed and the next there name is gone??....Sonny Done already??
RCCF12%
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000117339359 | January 04, 2013 at 11:41 AM
GREAT read with some Q & A over at Sate of The U (dont have the address cant get twitter at work).. Joe Garcia thinks we get Grace, Bostwick, Thomas, AQM, Either Collins or Coley and Kirkland.
Posted by: UMike | January 04, 2013 at 11:43 AM
He also thinks Williams could be left out due to class size and Bryant will be at FSU
Posted by: UMike | January 04, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Kevin Olsen will be one of the best if not the BEST QB to ever play at the U.... Im telling you people once Morris is done beasting next year you will see a Monster Qb in Olsen taking over.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | January 04, 2013 at 12:01 PM
On March 3, 2011, Shockey signed a one year deal with the Carolina Panthers. Along with fellow tight end Greg Olsen, Shockey proved to be an important part of the Panthers' offense in 2011—the pair accounted for a combined 995 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.[7] He was not re-signed for the 2012 NFL season by the Carolina Panthers, making him an unrestricted free agent.[8]
Posted by: 86Cane | January 04, 2013 at 12:04 PM
LB,
Mohammed
Posted by: herbieibis | January 04, 2013 at 12:07 PM
Once Olsen adjusts, he and Dobard look like a scary combination.
Posted by: LB | January 04, 2013 at 12:12 PM
Kevin Olsen will be one of the best if not the BEST QB to ever play at the U.... Im telling you people once Morris is done beasting next year you will see a Monster Qb in Olsen taking over.
Posted by: UpNorthCane | January 04, 2013 at 12:01 PM
THATS BOLD!!! ILL WAIT TILL AFTER HIS FIRST SEASON
Posted by: canezilla | January 04, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Read somewhere that Coach Larranaga expects Reggie Johnson to be out for eight games. That would put his return at around the Feb 5th game against Boston College and with 10 games remaining in the regular season. Kadji and Gamble split Center duties against LaSalle. Hope the guys can hang in there until the team is at full strength again. And please, no more injuries or we are cooked for sure.
Posted by: KiriJax | January 04, 2013 at 12:22 PM
BERRY INTERESTING:
http://footballscoop.com/news/8568-a-look-at-arkansas-assistant-salaries
Posted by: 86Cane | January 04, 2013 at 12:46 PM