Expected Miami Commits:
• 7:41 a.m. - 4-star LB Raul Aguirre signed his NLI
• 7:45 a.m. - 3-star OL Tommy Kinsler signed his NLI
• 8:09 a.m. - 4-star RB Mark Fletcher signed his NLI
• 9:08 a.m. - 5-star OL Samson Okunlola signed his NLI
• 9:35 a.m. - 4-star TE Riley Williams signed NLI
• 9:30 a.m. - 4-star RB Christopher Johnson
• 9:30 a.m. - 4-star DB Antione Jackson
• 9:30 a.m. - 4-star WR Robby Washington (NLI signed at 8:19 a.m.)
• 9:30 a.m. - 4-star LB Bobby Washington (NLI signed at 8:19 a.m.)
• 10:00 a.m. - 5-star CB Cormani McClain
• 10:00 a.m. - 3-star DT Joshua Horton (NLI is in at 7:54 a.m.)
• 10:00 a.m. - 3-star DB Kaleb Spencer (NLI is in at 8:39 a.m.)
• 11:00 a.m. - 4-star DL Rueben Bain (NLI is in at 8:17 a.m.)
• 11:00 a.m. 4-star LB Malik Bryant (NLI is in at 8:10 a.m.)
• 11:30 a.m. 4-star WR Nathaniel Joseph (NLI is in at 7:15 a.m.)
• 12:00 p.m. 4-star OL Antonio Tripp (NLI is in at 9:20 a.m.)
• 12:00 p.m. 3-star LB Marcellius Pulliam (NLI is in at 7:45 a.m.)
• 2:30 p.m. 4-star CB Robert Stafford (NLI is in at 7:33 a.m.)
• 3:00 p.m. 3-star OL Frankie Tinilau (NLI is in at 7:03 a.m.)
• 5:00 p.m. 3-str TE Jackson Carver (NLI is in at 8:14 a.m.)
• TBD - 4-star DE Jayden Wayne (NLI is in at 7:55 a.m.)
• 4-star DL Collins Acheampong: (NLI in at 10:21 a.m.)
• 3-star QB Emory Williams: "At the crack of dawn" (NLI in at 10:40 a.m.)
Miami Targets Include:
• 11:45 a.m. 4-star ATH Edwin Joseph
• 1:00 p.m. 5-star WR Hykeem Williams (FSU commit)
• 3:15 p.m. 4-star CB Damari Brown (ESPN)
• TBD - 4-star DB Conrad Hussey
Boom 💥 Go Canes! What A helluva A Class!
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | December 21, 2022 at 08:58 PM
https://www.hoophall.com/news/naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-announces-eligible-candidates-for-the-class-of-2023/
Packed ballot, but The Pimp is a first time nominee for enshrinement as a coach, which would be deserved even if unexpected.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | December 21, 2022 at 09:01 PM
Best class in over twenty years.
Incoming players have the highest composite rating of any player on the roster at the following positions:
WIDE RECEIVER: Nathaniel Joseph (0.9432)
TIGHT END: Riley Williams (0.9508)
OFFENSIVE LINE: Mauigoa (.9962), Okunlola (.9898)
LINEBACKER: Bryant (0.9511), Aguirre (0.9278)
CORNERBACK: McCLain (0.9974), Stafford (0.9456)
Amazing.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 21, 2022 at 10:23 PM
Hey Tony. I mostly agree, but isn't it premature to count McClain toward the stats of this class? I certainly hope it plays our way, but....
Posted by: JCane | December 22, 2022 at 12:12 AM
Thank you for the awesome info, Tony. Love your posts.
Looks like main question with Cormani right now is Bama. Still, even without him, it's the best class I can remember over the last 20 years. Even better if he inks with the U though. I think the class is ranked 6 without and 4th with him.
Going forward we'll see where the DT and WR situation plays out. It may seem like the portal options have reduced, but along with Thornton still out there, there should be more folks entering the portal after bowl season.
Side note: Hussey didn't sign today, but word is that he's most likely to either stick with Manny at PSU or flip to FSU. Should know more later.
Overall, a really great day. MC got all on board before today, so other than Damari and Cormani, it was a quiet awesome recruiting day.
Posted by: JCane | December 22, 2022 at 01:12 AM
Everyone is right we had a great day, we got a great class, ESPN says we are number three others say number 6 etc. it does look like we got a great recruiter, do we have great coaches? I don't know about that yet. Do we have a great team yet, I not falling for that yet, tried that for the past 20 years. I will tell you we do have a lot of stars.
I looked up into the heavens tonight, saw a lot of stars, but no coaches they couldn't play football either.
Stars don't win the game, a well-coached team with stars that plays the way VA preaches win games. until I see that I am not all in this year.
Posted by: Harry Miller | December 22, 2022 at 04:48 AM
Any other program, had they gotten a verbal but no signed LOI from the prospect would count them toward their class in this window, so no, I have no problem counting a verbal to Miami as a UM player despite waiting for a signature that hasn't arrived elsewhere yet either.
Sanders couldn't hit as a player, was last relevant thirty years ago and is about to fail as hard as he left his last program suddenly, maybe he can figure out how to buy some fake subscriber bot accounts on youtube to suck up to his one year egotist player at the lower level of the college game though, if he can stand on his missing toe foot long enough to enter his payment info for the fraud sub bomb first?
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | December 22, 2022 at 07:09 AM
Tweet from this morning
Cormani McClain has delayed his signing to the University of Miami and is reportedly in contact with Colorado HC Deion Sanders.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 22, 2022 at 08:57 AM
Everyone is right we had a great day, we got a great class, ESPN says we are number three others say number 6 etc. it does look like we got a great recruiter, do we have great coaches? I don't know about that yet. Do we have a great team yet, I not falling for that yet, tried that for the past 20 years. I will tell you we do have a lot of stars.
I looked up into the heavens tonight, saw a lot of stars, but no coaches they couldn't play football either.
Stars don't win the game, a well-coached team with stars that plays the way VA preaches win games. until I see that I am not all in this year.
Posted by: Harry Miller | December 22, 2022 at 04:48 AM
True, but great coaching can mask talent deficiencies so far. We had a poor offensive line due to previous poor recruiting that Lashlee worked to disguise per his offense.
We significantly upgraded that unit yesterday both for the short term, and certainly the long-term. That was the best offensive line haul in twenty years.
At linebacker, on paper this had the lowest blue chip ratio of any position over the last few years due to misses in recruiting. That position was totally rebuilt this cycle.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 22, 2022 at 09:05 AM
Due to missing in recruiting, now that's rich. He'll the didn't give a crap about LB or really CB. Seems like for a 3 year period before last cycle, we would get a CB late and then take a 3 star WR and make him a DB.
Yes the OH line was woeful but Gattis didn't do them no favors, with those whacked out schemes. I mean how does that dude still have a job.
He's supposed to be the WR coach and don't get me wrong the 2 dudes we got are going to be good but we got enough smurfs to play the slot? I didn't see to many WR's clamoring to come here.
Iniss, Williams, Brown and Jean just to name a few. Would u want to play in that awfence as a WR?
Posted by: Herbieibis | December 22, 2022 at 01:13 PM
Yes. So far so good... AWESOME CLASS!
NEXT order of business:
NEW OC and O scheme, AND some significant player development.
Don't stop now Mario... Take care of business!🙌🏼
Posted by: roachcane77 | December 22, 2022 at 07:47 PM
MC definitely is a bright guy when it comes to roster development and recruiting. No point in complaining in how the NIL affects things. Make the most of the rules that exist. No point in recruiting to an overload level at any one position, as it would just help prep more guys in development move elsewhere a year later if buried in the depth chart. Can't ever stop watching and recruiting players at any stage, in your program, in h.s. (or younger, such as camps to create the interest), or in other schools. We have guys like Alonzo Highsmith who know what they're doing in evaluating players, as the guy who put you 2nd may be in your program a year later.
Still no word from Cormani, other than what Sanders is potentially doing from Colorado. Hussey announced for FSU, as generally expected.
I'm very pleased with the foundation just created and how much this team should improve. Still, some coaching changes need to be made. Any coach who doesn't know how to evaluate the talent he has and maximize what's most likely to work doesn't belong. Lashlee did this well at OC. Gattis did not, with the team getting worse as the season went on.
Posted by: JCane | December 22, 2022 at 08:21 PM
Well, it looks like we will have to sweat out another 6 weeks to see whether we get Cormani or not.
I look at it this way, all the time the dude had to make his mind up and knew Bama was always after him and if he was 💯 with us, should of been a easy decision.
You look on this staff, Ed Reed HOF, Jason Taylor HOA, former NFL GM and former CB in the league, come on MAN. Somebody must of upped the ante.
Posted by: Herbieibis | December 23, 2022 at 10:05 PM
Merry Christmas to all of you, hope you enjoy the holiday with your family!!!!
1. RIP Franco Harris....class act. Nice presentation on ESPN about how him and Phil Villapiano became very close friends though they played in a fantastic Raider Steeler rivalry beautiful article here.
ilverandblackpride.com/2022/12/23/23524270/raiders-steelers-franco-harris-immaculate-reception
2. Jerry Rice made Canes Turnover Chain look mild today with a huge 49 helmet on a chain around his neck! Cmon Man!!!!! Sad to see a great receiver and class act sell out so poorly; Jerry you are better than that; lose that S**T!!!
3. The Redskins turned it over and could not overcome their lack of fundamentals as SF and their talent took advantage of the errors and routed them.
Philly came close to overcoming their lack of fundamentals as they had the talent; but 4 turnovers were very very costly, and when you give up a 3rd and 30 completion....you lack fundamentals. Eagles not as good without Jalen Hurts, Dallas better than they get credit for; their D played tough.
Pretty good looking class put together by MC. I love the bookends on the OL; get those 2 big boys in asap they need to play as freshmen. Good job lets get to work.
As T Sully said, and I'm sure Tony will agree, worst season in many years. Great recruiting lets get to work!!!
Merry Christmas to all !!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | December 24, 2022 at 07:43 PM
Try this post for Franco article!
https://www.silverandblackpride.com/2022/12/23/23524270/raiders-steelers-franco-harris-immaculate-reception
Posted by: VA Cane | December 24, 2022 at 07:44 PM
Herb:
Loophole for Cormani, or recruits in general, is that he can simply enroll at the school of his choice prior to NSD in February if he chooses. We may find out in January or sooner, or wr may find out in Feb. Recruiting had become crazier than ever. Hopefully he'll truly be coachable if at UM. As 86 says, the inmates have been given the keys.
Posted by: JCane | December 24, 2022 at 11:37 PM
I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Posted by: Harry Miller | December 25, 2022 at 02:33 AM
Merry Christmas/Happy New Year/Happy Holidays Canespace Family
Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | December 25, 2022 at 05:45 AM
Merry Christmas Canespace!
Posted by: KYcane | December 25, 2022 at 10:56 AM
Yes! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!🎄🙌🏼
Posted by: roachcane77 | December 25, 2022 at 01:00 PM
Merry Christmas Canespace!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | December 25, 2022 at 03:57 PM
The predictable late season Miami Dolphins meltdown is in full swing! Those three picks at the end should signal the end of the “Tua era” in Miami.
Grrrrr Dolphins…
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | December 25, 2022 at 04:08 PM
Happy Birthday Tom
Posted by: Old Skool | December 26, 2022 at 03:59 AM
Happy Birthday Soupster
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 26, 2022 at 07:21 AM
Ditto on the Birthday wishes Tom!
And BTW... Thanks for the blog! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Posted by: roachcane77 | December 26, 2022 at 08:12 AM
Happy Birthday 86!! and a belated Merry Christmas to all!
Canes B-Ball against Vermont Wednesday at 8 on ACC Network
Link for tribute to Mike Leach. I think he was one of the few coaches that had FUN. Would rather listen to his interviews than most others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWgTfVog7WU
Posted by: CGNC | December 26, 2022 at 12:03 PM
Thanks for posting the article on Franco Harris VA.
Sota - I tend to agree with you - one of his problems is he is short and prone to those picks because I don't think he can see the defenders?the Phins could also use a better DC, but yesterday's loss was on #1.
Posted by: CGNC | December 26, 2022 at 12:12 PM
Thanks for the birthday wishes. Made it to the BIG 60! I guess I am about 2/3 of the way so let's see if the next 20 are as good as the first 60.
Another Natty woiuld be nice?
Happy New Year to all the Spacers out there!
Posted by: 86Cane | December 26, 2022 at 12:31 PM
Happy birthday, 86, and holidays to all
Posted by: JCane | December 26, 2022 at 12:54 PM
Thanks for the birthday wishes
Posted by: 86Cane | December 26, 2022 at 12:31 PM
And I believe a happy anniversary is in order as well
Posted by: KYcane | December 26, 2022 at 03:10 PM
Pretty good looking class put together by MC. I love the bookends on the OL; get those 2 big boys in asap they need to play as freshmen. Good job lets get to work.
As T Sully said, and I'm sure Tony will agree, worst season in many years. Great recruiting lets get to work!!!
Merry Christmas to all !!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | December 24, 2022 at 07:43 PM
That was the worst season since 1997, and in some respects even more dismal than that. Offensively virtually nothing was possible in the second half of the year.
That said, we entered 2022 with two primary weaknesses - offensive line and linebacker. Secondary weaknesses were at wide receiver and cornerback.
Mario's regime attacked the former two relentlessly. We have two five star offensive linemen coming in as freshmen, and a starting member of Alabama's offensive line. With that improved, everything else becomes possible in whatever scheme Miami runs. And ideally, the quarterbacks are less prone to injury.
Manny's biggest failure at recruiting was his original specialty - linebacker. Between 2017 and 2021, five cycles, he brought in exactly three blue chip linebackers. Mario attacked this position relentlessly too, and we should have three quality young starters at linebacker for the next two-three years.
Remaining, secondary gaps to improve will be safety (very thin at just 5 athletes) and wide receiver.
Biggest challenge next year will be the relative youth of the team, and how quickly the offensive line can gell, with the freshmen improving game by game.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 27, 2022 at 04:21 PM
Ed Reed's going to be the coach at Bethune Cookman
Posted by: Old Skool | December 27, 2022 at 07:48 PM
I Love It and Happy For The GOAT Ed Reed!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 28, 2022 at 12:34 AM
What happened to our New Jersey pipeline, we use to have?
I guess, to my dismay we aren't getting rid of any coaches. Mario must be laying the blame on the lack of talent on the OH line and no outside threat at WR. Hope it don't come back to bite him in the ass. My take is there are teams all across the nation that didn't have near the talent we did, using backup QB's and putting points up.
Loved the class but if u send out 47 offers to inside DL and u got one, that u had to flip, there may be a problem.
The offensive output sunk our ability to get more WR's, especially outside homerun threats from high school and hasn't been much better in the portal.
I mean we wore DB's like they were sweaters or they new our routes better than we did.
Posted by: Herbieibis | December 28, 2022 at 03:21 PM
I don't KNOW this, but I believe ALL coaches are on vacation right now, including Mario. A nice, needed break for them after the recruiting push to land the # 3/4 class in the country.
IMO, changes will be made after the new year. I'd guess at the LATEST, right after next signing day in Feb, but I'd be surprised if they waited till then.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 28, 2022 at 04:35 PM
All I can say is that I coached the defense of The Group 5 State Champs, and I saw the 2 best Div 5 and Div 6 teams in the state. They throw the ball around and honestly thats what these kids are looking for in college. The fans love it the OL loves it the QB and WRTs love it the backs love it....everyone is involved in it and wants to see great offense and scoring.
Now my D was incredible because I know defense. We had a great offense who averaged 46.6 a game...you win a lot with that. My D gave up an average of 6 per game over 15 games...you win a lot like that too! you can score points...and still focus on D....this lame ass stuff we have run for so long aint cutting it. I think it is a shame anyone in the last 20 years is called an OC....there is no offense at all. It has to change get with the times man!...so many stupid penalties on offense!....and even on D...you got to get somebody to teach fundamentals of tackling coverage....and thinking...way too many stupid penalties on D as well.
Posted by: VA Cane | December 28, 2022 at 07:30 PM
Fan Nation at All Hurricanes reporting Cormani has confirmed his commitment to the U
Posted by: Old Skool | December 29, 2022 at 01:53 PM
The only thing Cormani has done was throw up the U and wear Canes gear. He refused to do interviews at the UAAA Game.
He did state he'd be making an announcement on Jan 15. Some think this will be his ceremony that should've happened a couple of weeks ago. Some think he announces a flip then. We'll see.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2022 at 01:58 PM
Pele RIP
Posted by: Old Skool | December 29, 2022 at 03:08 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | December 29, 2022 at 10:21 PM