Well another exciting and action packed National Signing Day (NSD) has come and gone marking the starting point of another college football season.
The seemingly endless list of bowl games and the one BCS title game finally ended in early January signaling the end of the 2012 season. But it is always the first Wednesday in February that marks the beginning of a new year filled with high hopes and higher expectations.
After spending all day on the Internet, reading over 900 comments from some of the 18,000 people who visited Canespace today and watching all of ESPN's coverage of the day's happenings, I do not have time to do a detailed analysis or critique of each player in this class that signed a NLI with UM.
But now that another NSD is in the books, I thought we would just take a quick look at today's catch for UM head coach Al Golden and his Miami Hurricanes.
University of Miami NSD 2013 Class:
Stacy Coley, WR, Oakland Park Northeast High, 6-1, 173
Jermaine Grace, LB, Miramar High, 6-1, 210
Augustus Edwards, FB, Staten Island (N.Y.), 6-2, 230
Sunny Odogwu, OT, Hargrave Military (Va.), 6-8, 311
Beau Sandland, TE, Los Angeles Pierce College, 6-6, 255
Artie Burns, S, Miami Northwestern, 6-0, 183
Alquadin Muhammad, DE, Bosco Prep (N.J.), 6-3, 230
Kevin Olsen, QB, Wayne Hills, N.J., 6-3, 200
Jamal Carter, S, Miami Southridge, 6-1, 190
Standish Dobard, TE, New Orleans Edna Karr, 6-4, 255
Ufomba Kamalu, DT, Butler CC (Kan.), 6-5, 280
Alex Gall, OT, Cincinnati Moeller, 6-6, 280
Hunter Knighton, DT, Princeton Hun School, 6-5, 265
Alex Figueroa, DE, Fork Union (Va.), 6-3, 225
Ray Lewis III, RB, Lake Mary Prep, Fla., 5-9, 190
Devante Bond, Sierra College (Calif.), 6-3, 230
Now, 'Canes fans can spend their time celebrating or brooding over the NSD 2013 results and wait patiently for Spring practice to start sometime in March. Until then we start preparing another college football season and maybe even begin looking ahead to NSD 2014.
And maybe for a few big, mean and nasty defensive tackles to show up?
I am starting to believe universities are simply victims to these idiots. Why should they be punished? It's going to be great when the NCAA starts going after individuals.
Think about it. We're going through all this and for what? Our players doing what any other college student is ALLOWED to do?
And now this PED thing. This is more of a "damnit" than it is a surprise. We are or were a farm for the MLB and when it's the steroid era, well...
Oh, nevermind. It's all about the $$$, has always been about the $$$ and continues to be all about the $$$. And if we can get a university that is a pipeline to the MLB to feed these kids PEDs, we're going to have an excellent product on the field. Hee hee!
Believe it or not, there is good in this world.
Posted by: 360Cane | February 07, 2013 at 09:44 AM
All Luke wants is a black head coach....the guy is the biggest racist out there!!!!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 07, 2013 at 09:44 AM
All Luke wants is a black head coach....the guy is the biggest racist out there!!!!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 07, 2013 at 09:44 AM
Exactly. It can be argued too that Shannon was just as big of a racist while he was here. Just look at his recruiting and who he brought in during those years.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 09:56 AM
You all probably wont get this but its okay-- black people can't be racist. Can be many other things but not racist.
Posted by: usagainsttheworld | February 07, 2013 at 10:04 AM
You all probably wont get this but its okay-- black people can't be racist. Can be many other things but not racist.
Posted by: usagainsttheworld | February 07, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Ah, the old double standard.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 10:05 AM
whats crazy, is Luke was our biggest fan under all white coaches lol..but you have to remember, Shannon almost soley recruited MWN and BTW as far as Dade goes and imo he always put the Dade kids first while others easily found their way into the doghouse
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 10:05 AM
whats crazy, is Luke was our biggest fan under all white coaches lol..but you have to remember, Shannon almost soley recruited MWN and BTW as far as Dade goes and imo he always put the Dade kids first while others easily found their way into the doghouse
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Robert Marve anyone? That guy was better than Jacrappy Harris but Harris had one thing going for him over Marve and in Shannon's eyes that trumped everything else.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 10:08 AM
Schweaty, that would be my main example. I will not say it was because Harris was black, but I do think he gave Miami kids first dibs lol
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 10:14 AM
And of course some Miami guys made to his doghouse, Street is a perfect example. I wonder if he promised all the MWN 08 class that they would start..he certainly did Harris lol
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 10:15 AM
86, I went on a little rant on twitter. Feel free to delete if U want. Lol
Nothing bad, just a rant about Golden's recruiting and how he has to defend himself. Also about how some want Shannon back as HC
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 10:15 AM
UMike...I say it was both at play. But all things being equal, Harris would get the nod over Marve b/c he was black is my point.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 10:23 AM
I jus heard JoeRose w/ Golden and Shannon.....I think both guys did a good job of interviewing AND Shannon goes into the Shapiro thing and basically calld dude a scumbag off first meeting and said he wantd no parts of dude.....Golden is a G...he held his ground and he stompd on all the crap ppl are laying down CALM DOWN there is still a Storm BREWING.....now back to 12%ing
RCCF12%
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000117339359 | February 07, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Next year with no limitations (hopefully), and more access to kids, and more access early, Golden and staff will clean up...
Parent: W"hat about the sanctions all these other coaches are telling me about?"
Golden: "Ma'am, that is past us now and it will not effect your son. He will play in a bowl game each of his 4 years here and we will constantly be on television since we draw the best ratings. Scouts will still gather at our pro day every year. We only have less scholarships available, but this will not effect your son since we have a scholarship with his name on it.
Parent: "What happened with that boy from BTW, I heard some players and coaches say they couldn't trust Miami's coaches."
Golden: "Ma'am, I am glad you asked, now you can hear the truth. Truth is we wanted Mr. Kirkland and he held a full scholarship offer from us for over a year. He mad visits to our campus and we meet with him and his family numerous times. So we proved we wanted Mr. Kirkland, but in the end it appeared he did not want to come to Miami, which is his right, but we were in a position where we needed to know. Again, not because we did not want the young man, but because we had only a couple days to signing day. We pulled his offer only after giving him every opportunity to commit, even silently like Mr. Coley did, but he choose not to. And ma'am, we cannot let one kid hold up are hold class, i'm sure you understand.
Parent: "We live in a rough area, I had hoped my boy would get away from all this violence and craziness. Miami is one of the roughest cities in the Country and I don't know how I feel about him staying home.
Golden: "I agree the City of Miami is a rough area, and we want to help you help your son get out. Coral Gables is NOT Miami, it just happens to be part of Miami-Dade County. Coral Gables might as well be 1,000 miles away from here it is so different. One visit to the campus and you will see yourself. And we do not have a track record of students getting into trouble with the law like other programs within the State. Just come see the campus for yourself.
Parent: "I heard you don't want Miami kids, that you would rather have kids from New Jersey and up North."
Golden: "Ma'am, that is simply not true. I would like to get every talented kid in Miami, but we cannot help it if the kid does not have the grades or simply does not want to come to Miami. We want kids that want to be Canes and I think your son wants to be. To be proud of a tradition unlike any other. It should be noted that we are the #1 rated school in Florida for academics, which is something we take great pride in, but it also means some kids we would love to have simply can't qualify."
Parent: "When can we visit campus"
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 10:31 AM
Luke was not even a good rapper....there is some good rap, his was just bad and degrading to women IMO. Does he really know a thing about football? Hes just bitter and longing for the day.Well those Days are gone.....however Carpe Diem!!
We got to sieze the day. We may have botched a couple recruits, I dont know...but if these kids want to play for UM, they had a shot. These kids really dont know UM....I mean they were 7 or 8 when we were really good....they were young kids and their knowledge is from their elders at Christmas dinner and New Years parties "Yea remember The U when they crushed Nebraska...Vilmas hit or remember when we beat Nebraska in the OB for our first title or even We Was Robbed vs OSU (matter of opinion I guess).
They could come here easily...if they got the grades, nothing holds them back. They got bad recruiting juju (Death Penalty I can hear Urban Fat Boy Muschamp and Dumdo whispering), the presence of the NCAA cloud from media, and the decline of the U. Hell Alabama, FSU, Ohio S., Michigan, Oregon, USC, Georgia draw bigger crowds to their spring game that we do in the season. Kid want the spolight and have egos. They want to wear all that puke Oregon crap, be on tv, be on gameday.....anything but go to class and fly right. Here you go to do the work in school....to hard for many. We must push ahead guys, we will get it going this year, and hopefully the clouds stop being black and the silver starts to show. We can play O....we got to stop people!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | February 07, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Zo Highsmith going off defending Golden on twitter.
LOVING THIS!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 10:40 AM
^^ 86, we now follow Zo. LOL
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 10:41 AM
Alonzo Highsmith @alonzohighsmith
All for local kids but if they don't want to come to Miami what the hell you suppose to do?
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Alonzo Highsmith @alonzohighsmith
All for local kids but if they don't want to come to Miami what the hell you suppose to do?
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 10:45 AM
----------------------------------------
Isn't it funny when facts interrupt a "story"? LOL
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 10:54 AM
U have to be from Trailerhassee or Jortsville to not understand that considering the obstacles the U and AG had/have to overcome this recruiting cycle, this was a VERY solid class!
As someone posted earlier, if it is true that Thomas was never going to the U and AG & Co figured it out, perhaps he was the genius after all in seeing the writing on the wall.
He knows what his obstacles are to recruiting and that if he is to succeed on the field, he HAS TO win the recruiting battle in the Bottom!
So what does he do? He hires Coley away from FSU. It was a long shot that the players Coley recruited would follow him from FSU to the U just days from NSD, but it was set up for 2014 which is an even more critical year for recruiting So. FL.
As well, while Dumbo believes he is going to stick it to the U having Thomas play AG & Co, AG turns around and does one better in the Coley hire.
I could be wrong, but I just didn't see Collins being the back Duke is. If he wants to leave for Bielema, oh well. We'll see how the U's backs stack up against AC soon enough.
Posted by: Pre83 | February 07, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Randy is bitter he had a shot and could not deliver the goods, for whatever reason. I saw him becoming more and more pessimistic, narrow minded and angry. I think he was very good with Defense, but he lacks people skills to motivate or coach people....both players and coaches have to be coached.
I dont care if a coach is black or white or purple....I want a guy who can win and wants to win....Kevin sumlin at A and M seems to have a grip on what it takes he pretty impressive. Randys problem was not that he was black, he was a knothead. He ran off alums, he closed doors, he sulked, he had pets.....and he was a Cane and from the area.....he should have had talent begging him to play, and if didnt have the personality of a footstool he would have.
Man I just want to win; 7-5 is ok if you like average. We got a ways to go, but I still think we are going there.....been slow footing with all the obstacles. Hopefully we push forward and get better; I am not signing on to 12-0 just yet, but hell its a goal.
Posted by: VA Cane | February 07, 2013 at 11:21 AM
Posted by: VA Cane | February 07, 2013 at 11:21 AM
Great post.
Posted by: The Dude | February 07, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Lol! At the people that said Shannon favored Harris over Marve because Harris was black. Ignorant mutha fukkaz! Marve is black. Very light skinned because he's mixed but his facial features, thick lips & wide nose is obvious. Shannon favored Harris because he was from Northwestern. Tighten up yall. When you label a black person racist, make sure your shyt is together or don't go there. PERIOD
Posted by: CoCane | February 07, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Robert Marve anyone? That guy was better than Jacrappy Harris but Harris had one thing going for him over Marve and in Shannon's eyes that trumped everything else.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 10:08 AM
SB, I disagree, Marve was bi-racial. And Marve didn't amount to much of a QB at Purdue.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 11:29 AM
LOOK!, as a black man, I'm glad the we we were the first major CFB team in Florida to hire a black coach. BUT!, in the end, I think we hired the WRONG! black coach. Wasn't Kevin Sumlin available at the time we hired Shannon.
Sumlin is a HELLUVA! HC, I'm surprised the NFL hasn't knocked at His door yet.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Robert Marve anyone? That guy was better than Jacrappy Harris but Harris had one thing going for him over Marve and in Shannon's eyes that trumped everything else.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 10:08 AM
SB, I disagree, Marve was bi-racial. And Marve didn't amount to much of a QB at Purdue.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 11:29 AM
True..BUT IMO..Harris shouldnt have started as a freshman and their shouldnt of been a 2 qb system.
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 11:39 AM
Lol! At the people that said Shannon favored Harris over Marve because Harris was black. Ignorant mutha fukkaz! Marve is black. Very light skinned because he's mixed but his facial features, thick lips & wide nose is obvious. Shannon favored Harris because he was from Northwestern. Tighten up yall. When you label a black person racist, make sure your shyt is together or don't go there. PERIOD
Posted by: CoCane | February 07, 2013 at 11:26 AM
You want me to make a list, I can put one together a mile long. Shannone was racist! PERIOD!
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 11:41 AM
You want me to make a list
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 11:41 AM
YES!
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Chris Freet - Anyone want more POSITIVE #Canes news? Big story coming at 1 pm.
I can only hope this is what I think it is...
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 11:48 AM
YES!
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 11:46 AM
The way America is today, people couldn't take it for calling a spade a spade. For the sake of going down a bad road, I think I am going to leave it at that.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Edgerrin james new Rb coach......
and/or
Alex Collins to the U
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | February 07, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Nope..Um and NCAA reached a deal..OR we got our LOA
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 11:54 AM
UMike...A day late and a dime short, literally.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Im going w/ the Edge as new rb coach lol...ill keep my hopes up
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | February 07, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Schweaty..you aint lying. And IF that is the case, I am 100% sure that is how the NCAA wanted it. One last jab in the face before we end it.
Posted by: UMike | February 07, 2013 at 12:01 PM
For the sake of going down a bad road, I think I am going to leave it at that.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Yeah, you're going to leave it at that because you can't itemize why Shannon is a "racist", you have no proof. Heck, from listening to the local HS coaches talk about Shannon alienating them, and their players, some of it sounded like they were calling RS an "Uncle Tom". I can got there if I want to, but I CAN'T, because I have NO PROOF! that they actually, and literally called Him an "Uncle Tom". Basically what I'm saying is, be VERY! careful when you hurl the racist label at somebody, that's a VERY! HEAVY and POTENT term.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 12:07 PM
Yeah, you're going to leave it at that because you can't itemize why Shannon is a "racist", you have no proof. Heck, from listening to the local HS coaches talk about Shannon alienating them, and their players, some of it sounded like they were calling RS an "Uncle Tom". I can got there if I want to, but I CAN'T, because I have NO PROOF! that they actually, and literally called Him an "Uncle Tom". Basically what I'm saying is, be VERY! careful when you hurl the racist label at somebody, that's a VERY! HEAVY and POTENT term.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 12:07 PM
I can, its so completely obvious, but people like yourself could not take someone criticising a black person for being a racist.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:13 PM
You must be racist. Colin McCarthy did fine under him. Shannon wasn't a good coach. He was biased towards Northwestern & Booker T, that happens to be majority black schools. Why didn't he hire an all black staff? That would be the racist thing to do. Before you make your Shannon's a racist list. Make a list of the major colleges that have racist pedigrees. Then make a list of all of the racist AD's that continue to vastly under hire black head coaches in major college football. Why aren't the HBCU's more represented in major football? Probably because the elite black players would go to their alma maters, win championships, give the schools big $, put their resources on the same level as the blue bloods & give education in the ghetto a revolutionary level playing field. Don't get me started boy...
Posted by: CoCone | February 07, 2013 at 12:15 PM
Guessing big news is something about Schwartz Center or something along those lines.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 12:17 PM
I could not agree more CR.Yes Randy was a Cane, from Miami, knew coaches black and white and could have really built the fence....hell with his advantage he could have built a steel cage!!!! But he chose not to....he was not a good HC....for different reasons I mentioned. Ultimately, he did not have HC skills to go along with his insider presence and inroads!!!!
I think it would have been ideal to leave Shannon as the DC, he had good defenses. Sumlin was at Oklahoma when RS was hired; he was readily available....dont think we even knocked. He was the OC there his last 2 years....averaged 44 PPG in 07. So he was available, but as usual, with Clappy and Randy they made bad hires. Sumlin is a great cat; I met him at a clinic one year, a friend from my hometown coaches hoops and has a friend who is at A&M....Mike says his friend is crazy over KS...as are the students players and school. ...the guy has class charisma....you know he can recruit....and he would rope em in in SoF. How did we miss him? He is a dynamic young educated experienced outgoing guy....and just happens to be black!!!! I mean if you wanted a black coach, which is great by me....he was the guy to get. Did not do bad in first year at A&M either Huh?
Like Phil Collins said "Oh Oh I missed again, Oh Oh Oh Oh, I believe I missed again"!!! He would have been a good get folks....and I am not knocking AG or anyone else, I just think KS was a real winner!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | February 07, 2013 at 12:19 PM
I can
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:13 PM
No you can't.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 12:20 PM
I guess race had nothing to do with the election either.....why is it blacks turned out in records? Now your going to say I'm racist for saying this...I'm far from it!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 07, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Then make a list of all of the racist AD's that continue to vastly under hire black head coaches in major college football.
Posted by: CoCone | February 07, 2013 at 12:15 PM
Yep thats it, the AD's are racist for the under hiring of black head coaches. Typical response. Please son! Last I checked you get hired on qualifications, but I guess in that other world you live in apparently thats not the case.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:23 PM
I'm just saying blacks favor there race more!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 07, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:13 PM
No you can't.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 12:20 PM
Yes, I can.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:24 PM
Enough with race talk........can't wait for the big news!!!
Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | February 07, 2013 at 12:24 PM
Sweaty balls, you are normally sensible on most stuff, whether I agree with you or not, but you've crossed he line here
Shannon may have failed as a head coach, but he was never a racist, or said or did anything racist, and it's wrong of you to go there, give me some real examples of his racism, because I followed him closely, and I never saw it.
Unless you're one of those people that think being a proud black man that tries to set an example for young black men is being racist.
Posted by: Canesfan_1 | February 07, 2013 at 12:25 PM
UMike...A day late and a dime short, literally.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Agree wit hot hof you if that's the news. Unfortunately the news we want isn't usually what we get. Please make it happen this time. . .
Posted by: j.w. | February 07, 2013 at 12:27 PM
Yes, I can.
Posted by: Schweaty Balls | February 07, 2013 at 12:24 PM
But you didn't.
Posted by: CaneRock | February 07, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Oh my...
Gorten - So Alex Collins' mom hired attorney 2 "represent the family's interests" after what went down yesterday, per release...
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 12:36 PM
^^^^^
Lt. Philip Nolan @TheStateOfTheU
This Collins stuff just gets weirder. Either his mom is legit nuts, or she sees what is happening and is trying to fight it.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | February 07, 2013 at 12:38 PM