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Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt celebrates after defeating the the West Virginia Mountaineers at Camping World Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes defeated West Virginia Mountaineers 31-14. the Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
There is a lot of discussion Mark Richt’s first full year recruiting class. He was on the job less than two months when the class of 2016 was signed. The Hurricanes were able to sign three consensus top 100 recruits for the class of 2017.
This class is arguably better than Richt’s first Miami class. They are bringing in speed, size and playmakers. Getting N’Kosi Perry at QB, Jeff Thomas at Wide Receiver and Defensive Lineman D.J. Johnson from Sacramento, California were all important signees.
Massive Navaughn Donaldson at offensive tackle and speedster Mike Harley will be players to watch over the next few seasons. Junior College transfer cornerback Jhavonte Dean signed with Miami after originally committing to Alabama.
A few of these players will contribute in 2017, while others will likely redshirt. The Hurricanes missed on a few positions. They only signed one running back and the defensive backs that signed are not as highly regarded as the highly signed players at other positions.
The Canes Warning staff (Alan Rubenstein, Roman Roman Marciante and Daniel Nordwall) takes a closer look at some of the pressing questions with the class of 2017.
Nov 19, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes fans cheer during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. Miami won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Who is your favorite recruit?
Alan Rubenstein- As parent I don’t like to play favorites. Just like with children though, we know some of the players have more strengths than others. It’s hard to narrow it down to one player. There are a few that intrigue me.
Thomas is an incredible athlete and playmaker that seems to fit the mold of what Miami skill position players have been in the past. He was the MVP of the under Armour All-America game. He set game records with 138 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Perry’s ability is unlike any of the Quarterbacks on Miami’s roster. He was a huge signee for Richt’s staff. His ability is good enough that is not inconceivable to see him as a future Heisman Trophy candidate. He has been compared to Clemson’s departed Quarterback Deshaun Watson and Louisville’s Heisman Trophy Winner Lamar Jackson. Richt said he runs like a deer.
Donaldson’s size is just massive. At 6’6 335 he has been compared to Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jonathan Odgen by Richt. He and Kai-Leon Herbert should give the Canes one of the best tandem of book end offensive tackles in the country in a year or two.
Roman Marciante: Jeff Thomas has to be my favorite recruit on offense. Thomas is lighting in a bottle and smiles at a cheetah as he runs by it. He was clocked as ESPN’s fastest wide receiver recruit in the country in 2017.
Let’s talk about the Under Armour All American Game. Thomas sprinted away with the MVP Trophy and showed that he could dominate against the best of the best. Miami has a dynamic play maker on its hands in Thomas.
On defense I would have to say Jonathan Garvin. I might be a little bias being from Palm Beach County. When you are able to get 18.5 sacks and do it at the highest level of high school football in Florida, that is saying something. He had seven sacks vs Glades Central this year. Glades Central was quarterbacked by Florida State commit James Blackman. If Mr. Garvin, brings that type of behavior to Coral Gables he will make Hurricane fans very happy.
Daniel Nordwall: My favorite recruit is Trajan Bandy. The kid is a Hurricane through in through. He never wavered after he received a offer from the University of Miami staff. Bandy will come in and play right away, and he will excel in Manny Diaz’s scheme.
Although he is undersized, he plays like the honey badger from LSU, Tyrann Matheiu. He brings an attitude that has been missing in Miami’s secondary for a long time.
Who is your biggest sleeper?
Alan Rubenstein: Running back Robert Burns showed flashes of brilliance in high school, but frequent injuries kept him from being rated higher. Despite the injury concerns he was still rated as one of the top 300 recruits in the country by ESPN and selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game. Burns will push Travis Homer and Trayone Gray for playing time behind starter Mark Walton this season.
Roman Marciante: For me that has to me Mr. IHOP Corey Gaynor. Kid just makes pancakes. Over 100 pancake blocks in high school. He is not the most heralded guy along the offensive line. Guys like Navaughn Donaldson and Kai-Leon Herbert are rated higher, but Gaynor is nasty. Gaynor could bring a toughness and tenacity that would be infectious to the line and be the anchor for years to come.
Daniel Nordwall: There is no doubt that Corey Gaynor is the sleeper of this class. Anyone who watches football film can see Gaynor has a mean streak. As a coach, you want that in every lineman you recruit. Gaynor finishes every play by putting most defensive players on their back. I think he has chance to push Nick Linder for a starting position in fall camp.
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (82) scores a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the first half during the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Who do you think sees the field immediately at this class?
Alan Rubenstein: Jhavonte Dean should be slotted into the cornerback position vacated by Corn Elder. Elder was the Hurricanes defensive MVP in 2016 and Dean needs to be an immediate contributor.
Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz is going to have to rebuild his secondary in 2017. The Canes also lost the reliable Adrian Colbert and Safeties Jamal Carter, plus leading tackler Rayshawn Jenkins after the 2016 season. There is not a lot of experience returning on the back end defensively in 2017.
Roman Marciante: Jeff Thomas on offense I think immediately puts defenses in check. Ahmmon Richards is obviously going to garner a ton of attention this year from opposing defensive coordinators. No surprise why you saw Richards so interested in Thomas’ recruitment. I believe having Thomas opposite Richards will make any defensive coordinator think twice before they play safeties over the top on number 82 all game.
Jhavonte Dean on defense sees the field early. Lock down corner Corn Elder and reliable Texas transfer Adrian Colbert leave what was considered a depleted corner back position to begin with so Dean will have to step up. Dean has Juco experience from Blinn Community College in Texas and was rated the 2nd best cornerback in junior college this cycle. Dean is very good in press coverage and corner back coach Mike Rumph seems to have a pedigree in that sort of thing.
Daniel Nordwall: Jeff Thomas will immediately see the field if he can get to the University of Miami without any grade issues. He is an instant impact player. Thomas will have a significant role on special teams and in Mark Richt’s offense. His speed will complement Ahmmon Richards nicely.
You will hope to see the staff come up with some plays specifically for Thomas. He earned the MVP for the Under-Armour All American game for a reason. He was running past four and five star players the whole game.
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) runs the ball in the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Grading the Miami Hurricanes Recruiting Class of 2017
Alan Rubenstein: Like a trade or draft class in professional sports its very difficult to give out grades on a recruiting class early. Especially since we have not seen players have taken the field as collegians. Miami got most of what is set out to do. They have two good Quarterback prospects in Perry and Weldon, signed at least three potential first round picks in Donaldson, Thomas and Johnson, but missed on running back and defensive back.
Burns has the potential to be a great player. If he cannot overcome his injury problems he will almost be a complete bust. The defensive backfield is going to rely heavily on Dean, and Trajan Bandy has the potential to be the next great DB at the U. Safeties Amari Carter and Derrick Smith as lesser known commodities. Overall at the present time, the Miami class gets a B.
Roman Marciante: Where the staff hit, they hit big. The Offensive linemen signees is one of the most athletic groups I’ve seen coming to Miami in years. Wide receiver has speedy play makers like Thomas and Harley, and a guy with the last name Njoku cannot be over looked.
There hasn’t been a better tandem of quarterbacks coming into Miami since the 2008 Harris/Marve Class. The already loaded defensive line brought in some studs with Johnson and Garvin. It’s always easy to focus on the misses in recruiting. Mark Richt and staff, with their first full class under their belt, have to be credited for the guys the hit on.
The Miami Hurricanes were very close to being an A if they would have hit more at the running back and the defensive back positions. The staff will need to hit the transfer market at running back and you could potentially see a transfer at db. Overall they get a B.
Miami addressed a significant position in the offensive line. Miami now has legitimate back-ups for each position on the offensive line. They picked up a game-changer in Nkosi Perry at the quarterback. Overall, you have to be happy with this class.
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