The University of Miami baseball team checked in at No. 24 in the USA TODAY Sports Top 25 baseball preseason coaches' poll released Thursday.
The top-25 ranking is Miami's third of the preseason; the Hurricanes were ranked No. 20 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper in December and No. 9 by Perfect Game earlier in January.
Miami added a recruiting class ranked No. 8 nationwide by Baseball America to a group of 15 returning letterwinners from a 2017 team that finished 31-27 overall and 16-13 in ACC play.
The Hurricanes will be led by infielder Romy Gonzalez (11 home runs, 38 RBI), lefthander and All-ACC ace Jeb Bargfeldt (7-3, 2.28 ERA) and impressive reliever Andrew Cabezas (2.15 ERA, 80 strikeouts). Other returning veterans include outfielder Michael Burns (four home runs, 32 RBI), righthander Greg Veliz (3.38 ERA, 66 strikeouts) and reliever Frankie Bartow (12 saves).
Two members of Miami's recruiting class were selected in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft; righthanded pitcher Chris McMahon was taken by Milwaukee in the 33rd round while infielder Ray Gil was picked in the 37th round by Oakland. McMahon (No. 76), first baseman Alex Toral(No. 199), outfielder Gabe Rivera (No. 329) and first baseman Connor Allen (No. 440) were all ranked among Baseball America's top 500 draft-eligible prospects.
Miami opens its 25th and final season under the direction of head coach Jim Morris on Feb. 16 with the opener of a three-game series against Rutgers (Feb. 16-18).
The Hurricanes' home schedule also includes series with Florida (Feb. 23-25), Notre Dame (March 9-11), Virginia (March 23-25), North Carolina (April 6-8) and Boston College (May 17-19), among others.
Miami's road schedule includes trip to Georgia Tech (March 30 - April 1), Clemson (April 13-15) and Florida State (April 27-29).
2020 Miami commit Leonard Manuel talks with CIS
Leesburg, FL: Central Florida has normally been an area where schools like Florida and Florida St. have dominated traditionally, but according to Miami commit 2020 5-star WR Leonard Manuel, he says that Central Florida is becoming the home away from home for the University of Miami
“Miami’s dominating right now,” Manuel said, “Miami is going into the central Florida area and just basically getting anyone they want right now and I know a lot of people in this area especially the coaches really like Miami and see a shift in who’s dominating the area.”
Manuel decided to transfer from Vanguard after his football season to play basketball at Leesburg HS, but the Manuel said the decision was strictly because of basketball.
“I transferred to Leesburg just to play basketball,” Manuel said “I need to improve on some of my grades and work out some personal issue. I’ll be back at Vanguard for the football season.”
352 stars is the 7v7 team that Manuel decided to play for with guys that he grew up playing with and Manuel told me he’s trying out a new position in 7v7, defensive back
“I like playing defensive back honestly,” Manuel said, “I’m a full-time receiver, but I’m just a student of the game so I wanted to play defensive back because I want to know how a defensive back reads the offensive so it helps me improve my overall game as a receiver.”
“When I went to Miami’s 7v7 tournament, Coach Rumph saw me playing some corner and he was in my ear about playing corner, but I knew he was just messing around.”
One-Time Tennessee commit decided two months ago to flip his commitment over to Miami and Manuel said it was honestly a very easy decision
“I’m from down south and I feel like it’s a family down there,” Manuel said, “Miami has something really good going on, the swags back at Miami and my quarterback is there so it was a very easy decision for me.”
Miami’s RS Freshman QB N’Kosi Perry has known Manuel since the two were little kids and Manuel explained to me that his relationship with Perry is like no other.
“I’ve known N’Kosi since we were little kids, that’s my big brother,” Manuel said, “We hang out all the time, whenever he comes home we hang out and whenever I’m in Miami were always around each other.”
While Manuel is committed to Miami, that hasn’t stopped two schools who were in the college football playoffs for recruiting him.
“Georgia and Clemson are on me pretty hard,” Manuel said, “Clemson hasn’t offered me yet, but I’m locked in with Miami.”
Coach Dugans is Manuel’s primary recruiting and the relationship the two have built over the last two years is a testament to how great of a recruiter Dugans really is
“I see myself in Coach Dugans,” Manuel said, “He told me his personal stories about himself and it reminds me of myself right now and the way I’m growing up. He was a really big part of me committing to Miami and I always felt like I should be coached by him.”
Miami currently holds the #1 spot in the class rankings for the class of 2020, history has always shown that Miami has always been able to get off to a very hot start in recruiting class, but loses commits down the line, but Manuel says his class will be very different.
“We’re going to stay together,” Manuel said “I was talking to Avantae yesterday, all of us have a great relationship with each other, I was hanging out with Marc Britt this weekend at the tournament. All the guys talk to me like we’re going to stick together and they really want to make Miami great again and I feel like we’re going to change Miami.”
Manuel’s offseason plans included visiting one school.
“Miami for the sixth time,” Manuel said, “I going to visit in the springtime and I really want to get out to paradise camp this year because I couldn’t make it last year due to some personal issues.”
Twitter @ErickMarreroU / Staff writer for @CanesInSight / #CPride #CC
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 29, 2018 at 04:55 PM
But don’t worry, he said Miami is his dream school.... so he ain’t commin.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 29, 2018 at 04:16 PM
I wondered who was going to say it FIRST!
#HeGone
Posted by: 86Cane | January 29, 2018 at 05:07 PM
Sorry Dude...since we've had this baby dropped on our doorstep I've kinda been out of the recruiting game. I have no clue who we are targeting or where they are going.
Posted by: UMike | January 29, 2018 at 05:55 PM
A lot of how good we are on defense next year comes down to how many 1st and 2nd rounders we have.
J. Jackson 1st?
J. Johnson 2nd?
M. Jackson 2st?
G. Willis 2nd?
S. Quartermann 2nd?
M. Pinkney 2nd?
And so on.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 29, 2018 at 06:12 PM
Epi | January 29, 2018 at 04:16 PM
We'll be lucky to get Silvera signed.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 29, 2018 at 04:33 PM
He just reaffirmed didn’t he?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 29, 2018 at 06:17 PM
That Manuel kid seems like a bright dude.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 29, 2018 at 06:21 PM
PM
I wondered who was going to say it FIRST!
#HeGone
Posted by: 86Cane | January 29, 2018 at 05:07 PM
At least we consistent
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 29, 2018 at 06:21 PM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 29, 2018 at 06:21 PM
Yes
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 29, 2018 at 06:34 PM
All the OGs we have, seems like Cleveland Reed's the most logical choice to move to DT.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 29, 2018 at 07:18 PM
Anyone have any idea what this is?
@Coach_MannyDiaz
🔥🔥🔥
5:27 PM - 29 Jan 2018
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 29, 2018 at 08:32 PM
Boom: BREAKING: Mark Richt’s in-home visit with Jordan Miller has resulted in a commitment. The Jacksonville Sandalwood DT has given a pledge to #Storm18 and #TheU. https://247sports.com/college/miami/Bolt/Breaking-DT-Miller-Commits-to-Miami-114385457 …
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 29, 2018 at 09:33 PM
Thank the gods! Now we need 1 more so this kid can redshirt.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 29, 2018 at 09:42 PM
Hartley is an assassin out there.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 29, 2018 at 09:51 PM
As far as project 3 star guys go, Richt's staff brings in tremendous measurable guys. Bethel has elite CB measurables, Miller has elite DT measurables, even PWOs like Moose is a big ole weight lifting goon. Need kids like Miller & Bethel to redshirt though, be next year's under the radar freshman to go with a couple of blue chip guys at their position. By their *SO years they can be major contributors and their *JR years they can be starters. We still need 1 more DT, so Coburn is the gem, and Chatman is the project, Id take either 1 happily and build for next year. By my count we can take 5 more, so...
1. ***/* DL J. Chatman
2. ***** CB T. Campbell
3. ***** CB P. Surtain Jr.
4. **** DE A. Chatfielfld
5. Any OT or DE or LB
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 29, 2018 at 10:00 PM
^^^ Many believe that **** WR M. Ezzard has already committed, so he'd be 5th.
Also an option for #1
1. **** DT K. Coburn
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 29, 2018 at 10:04 PM
Here are the Senior year highligts for Miller. Read he played in the middle of nowhere until his final season and never went to a camp.
No idea what the level of competition was, but either way the kid looks like a really good athlete with an excellent first step:
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5330257/59c318075b47cd2caca88eee
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 29, 2018 at 10:48 PM
Now this whole Miller thing makes sense:
This is what BJ Jennings Dad, who is the LB and strength and conditioning coach at this kids H.S. had to say about him:
"He’s 6-4, 330 and he can move. He’s a big, strong kid, is very physical, agile. He’s a good, humble kid, very smart and intelligent. I actually went through and evaluated a lot of kids coming out in his class - if he was being promoted and people knew about him that’s a 4 or 5 star kid.”
More from BJ Jennings dad:
"Miami got the film last night, and this morning coach (Mark) Richt called with an offer,” said Jennings, who played at Florida State. “This kid, he’s legit, the real deal. I think he’s going to be a great one. I played with some really good D linemen playing at Florida State, but this kid is amazing, man. It’s hard to find kids that size, it’s very rare you find them that size that can come off the ball like him and stay low, penetrate through the holes and seek the ball out the way he does. He hustles, flies to the ball, it’s very rare in a kid his size."
Posted by: CaneRock | January 29, 2018 at 11:24 PM
Jan 29, 2018
LECANTO, Fla. – The University of Miami women's golf team opened 2018 on a high note Monday, as it captured the Florida Challenge for the second time in four years.
Miami's first-place finish at the Florida Challenge is the first tournament victory for the Hurricanes since it won the UCF Challenge on Feb. 7, 2017. The win also serves as Miami's seventh win and the 40th top 10 finish under head coach Patti Rizzo.
The Hurricanes won the team title after they posted a two-round total of 582 (288, 294). Miami's first round score of 288 marked the fourth time this year the Hurricanes have shot under 290 as a team.
Junior Dewi Weber, sophomore Renate Grimstad and sophomore Macarena Aguilera fueled the Hurricanes winning performance, as all three individuals posted top 10 scores.
Weber led the way for Miami, finishing second with a tournament total of 139 (69-70). The Netherlands native closed the day with eight birdies and one eagle over the course of her two rounds.
Weber has now carded six of her 12 rounds this season under par. She also has shot 70-or-less in four rounds this year.
Grimstad tallied nine birdies on the day en route to posting a two-round score of 143 (72-71). The Norway native finished the tournament fourth, which marked her best finish of the 2017-18 season.
Aguilera rounded out the Hurricanes top 10 finishers, as she tied for sixth with a two-round tally of 145. The Argentina native's finish was the best of her collegiate career.
Rounding out the Hurricanes' top five were freshmen Kristyna Frydlova and Roos Haarman, as they placed 37th (155) and 50th (164), respectively. Fellow freshman Serena Hou also made her collegiate debut for Miami and placed 56th (176).
Miami's first tournament of the spring season was held at the par 72, 6,039-yard Black Diamond Ranch Golf Course.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 29, 2018 at 11:38 PM
hustles, flies to the ball, it’s very rare in a kid his size."
Posted by: CaneRock | January 29, 2018 at 11:24 PM
If true, it sounds like he has all the tools to be a great DT. Under the tutelage of Coach Kul, any DL recruit has a chance to be great. Norton, McIntosh and Garvin were all 3 star DL recruits coming in, and Coach Kul turned them into NFL picks. If Jennings is accurate in his assessment, the Canes are in very good shape. These are the type of recruits that Miami built it’s program on. Great athletes who work hard, get coached up and developed
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 29, 2018 at 11:43 PM
Jon Ford was another three star recruit
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 29, 2018 at 11:44 PM
“I’m from down south and I feel like it’s a family down there,” Manuel said, “Miami has something really good going on, the swags back at Miami and my quarterback is there so it was a very easy decision for me.”
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 29, 2018 at 04:55 PM
If there is one thing that comes out again and again with potential recruits, it's that phrase..."it’s a family down there". Kudos to the coaches for putting that atmosphere in place. It has to help with players and their parents.
Posted by: TonyCane | January 30, 2018 at 12:34 AM
"Miami is my Dream School"...unfortunately it's happened more than once when a player says that, then heads elsewhere:
DT Eddie Goldman, FSU (2009)
https://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/12/9/2620811/florida-recruiting-2012-nelson-agholor
WR Nick Robinson, Memphis (Dec 2016)
https://miami.rivals.com/news/new-name-emerging-miami-one-of-my-dream-schools-/printable
OL Scott Lashley, Alabama (Jul 2015)
https://www.stateoftheu.com/2015/7/10/8931689/canes-are-dream-school-for-recently-offered-4-star-ol
LB Tyrell Tomlin, UNC (Dec 2012)
https://www.canesinsight.com/showthread.php/43169-2014-prospect-Tyrell-Tomlin-calls-Miami-quot-my-dream-offer-quot
And on the positive side...these guys actually joined their dream school!
Jake Munoz, Long Snapper (2016)
http://caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2016/04/14/recruiting-hurricanes-walk-on-overcomes-rare-disorder-to-join-dream-school/
Patrick Joyner, DE (2018)
http://www.statesman.com/sports/college/patrick-joyner-commits-dream-school-after-months-florida-state-pledge/8xdWRG80aCouCswNCbat2J/
Posted by: TonyCane | January 30, 2018 at 01:30 AM
86 Great job on the update on our Women's Golf Team.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 30, 2018 at 06:44 AM
#ESPN class rankings with just 9 days until signing day:
1 #UGA
2 #OhioState
3 #Texas
4 #Alabama
5 #PennState
6 #Clemson
7 #Canes
8 #Auburn
9 #Sooners
10 #NotreDame
11 #USC
12 #LSU
13 #Michigan
14 #Oregon
15 #Washington
16 #Baylor
17 #SouthCarolina
18 #Gators
19 #TCU
20 #Vols
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 09:32 AM
We are #5 in 247 team rankings.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 30, 2018 at 09:35 AM
Good stuff Go Canes.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 30, 2018 at 09:38 AM
Bruce Brown looks to be done here:
Bruce Brown being out six weeks could very easily mean his season (and dare we say UM career) may be over. He'll have surgery Thursday -- exactly six weeks away from the first full day of the NCAA Tournament.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 10:55 AM
Best of luck Bruce Brown. Hopefully he will be back for our tournament run. Our Canes got to fill in the holes and get it done starting with beating Pitt on tomorrow and beating Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 30, 2018 at 11:38 AM
Hurricane Hardballers Ranked #24
Apparently, no one really cares. Why?
1. Too soon - FB recruiting ain't over yet. Basketball is still a hot topic too.
2. Too low - It's hard to get excited about a (#24 ranked) team which is most likely to disappoint Canes fans, once again, this year.
Posted by: nemo2002 | January 30, 2018 at 02:31 PM
If these visits actually happen...
VanHarren: Miami has a big opportunity before signing day, expecting five-star teammates Patrick Surtain Jr. and Tyson Campbell on visits this weekend.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 03:02 PM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 03:02 PM
Do you sell them as individuals or as a duo? Only Miami & Alabama got these kids BOTH on OVs at the same time right? Thats a great sign no? This OV is gonna be the biggest sales event in Miami football history. Bring your A game everyone. These guys could be instant stars, and with Mike & Trajan a shut down unit. Frierson or Ivey could impress with them also or redshirt to make next year a NEED 1 situation for #Surge19.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 30, 2018 at 04:28 PM
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 30, 2018 at 04:28 PM
If Rumph closes this he could establish himself as a future secondary coach.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 30, 2018 at 04:29 PM
Well that’s one DT and a project at that but it’s a body and hopefully we add 2 more, especially Silvera. Hope this teaches their azz a lesson and not take that position for granted. They need to recruit it hard and not a dam after thought.
I know everyone thinks Willis is some super stud but he’s played about 15 college games. Played some at Florida, transfers to us and sits out a year, played in about 5 to 6 games 2 years ago and got hurt, sat out last year for who knows why and now this is his last hoorah.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 30, 2018 at 04:33 PM
Im gonna say this 1 last time and maybe it will resonate with some of U..
Mike Rumph is Good Enough ... whether those 2 come or not is not a slight on Rumph's skills at all... how do you guys and gals do this math anyway? so in your math class coach Kool SUCKS because we can't get a DL to save our lives.. Pretty Dumb when you think about it huh?
Please save your thumb muscles disrespecting coaches when you don't have the slightest clue what he is doing nor what he has done...
Lastly,
I guess nobody sees it funny that the word/name "Bully" always comes up when describing Nesta Silvera... he is the Leader of that Crew and if he says they go to the U and build the city guess what they are gonna do? U sell those boys on the Turnover Chain and the chance to be the reason the City is back on the map.. They don't take that then we are good Anyway.. CANES DON'T BEG...
12%
Posted by: RCCF | January 30, 2018 at 04:39 PM
I’ll say this, our closing record stinks. Getting guys on campus ain’t the problem, it’s getting them to sign.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 30, 2018 at 05:11 PM
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 30, 2018 at 05:11 PM
We have a Top 5 caliber class already signed don’t we? Somebody closed those guys.
I’ll take those hard core Canes over the majority of the signing day hat trickers all day long.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 05:28 PM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 05:28 PM
85 Ray Lewis IIIs aint gonna get it done. We have to be the best sell on every point. Best at developing talent, the hometown team you grew up loving, the best education and so on. Clearly the best.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 30, 2018 at 06:53 PM
I'm not sure what that means TD.
If we got on the likes of Lingard, Jordan, Hightower, Pope and the rest early, got them commited and they NEVER waivered, how is that somehow less impressive?
What have we been clamoring for as long as I can remember?
Elite athletes. Well we have them everywhere this class, especially on the offense where we have as good a class as anyone at RB, TE and WR.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 07:08 PM
If Rumph closes this he could establish himself as a future secondary coach.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 30, 2018 at 04:29 PM
Oui
Posted by: 86Cane | January 30, 2018 at 07:46 PM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 30, 2018 at 07:08 PM
Im saying not every great player will go to a school because they are die hard Canes fans. Theres a bunch of reasons why and we have to be able the best option for the elite talents that weve seen slip away over the years.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 30, 2018 at 07:52 PM
NEW BLOG WILL BE UP AT 8:55.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 30, 2018 at 08:19 PM
POLITICAL DEBATE BLOG!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 30, 2018 at 08:19 PM
I’m talking about closing on the official signing date the first Wed. In Feb. that’s when u finish off either on a high note or u see players slip away to some other school, which had happened to us a lot. Sort of like thinking we had Briggs, only to see him go to FSU.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 30, 2018 at 08:31 PM
Political Debate winner: Go Canes
Political Debate loser: Epi
Don't worry Epi, it will get worse before it gets better.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 31, 2018 at 06:35 AM
CMR offers 8th grader??:
https://twitter.com/jakejohnson2022/status/958526309180887041?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eios%7Ctwgr%5Ecom.apple.UIKit.activity.Message
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 31, 2018 at 07:45 AM
Go Canes! Beat Pitt!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 31, 2018 at 08:46 AM
I usually don't comment on a player's highlight tape when I have't actually seen him play in person, but I have to admit that Jordan Miller's highlight tape looks very impressive for a 330 pound DT.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 31, 2018 at 08:55 AM
Posted by: 86Cane | January 31, 2018 at 06:35 AM
Take note boys. This is how you troll with your own blog. 😂
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 31, 2018 at 09:39 AM
Posted by: 86Cane | January 30, 2018 at 08:19 PM
You see I knew it was a trap. Epi has no political sense, he thought it was gonna be a fair fight. #Ididoth
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 31, 2018 at 09:55 AM
200
Posted by: nemo2002 | January 31, 2018 at 10:49 AM