2009 Miami Hurricanes Football Discussion

[wanks1212]

what's the 2012 game?

[Beef]

Pretty sure it is UT-NC State

[wanks1212]

With National Signing Day two weeks away, 12 of UM's 26 oral commitments are from South Florida. But what concerns some UM fans is only two are ranked among Rivals.com's top 25 recruits from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. That compares with UF's seven and FSU's three.

So what's the deal? UM -- whose class is ranked 14th overall by ESPN -- passed on several standouts who wanted to be Canes. Miami has not pursued eight of those 25, for reasons ranging from academics (UM's standards are tougher than the NCAA's) to position duplication to players' size.

Also, UM likes several of its oral commitments much more than Rivals and some other major schools do. One example is Miami Beach defensive tackle Delmar Taylor, whose only other offers were from FIU, Western Michigan and Bowling Green.

Five on Rivals' top 25 local list are uncommitted, and two -- Miramar receiver Ivan McCartney and Hialeah defensive end Corey Lemonier -- said they're considering UM. Miami's two local commitments in Rivals' top 25 are Booker T. Washington running back Eduardo Clements at No. 12 and St. Thomas Aquinas offensive tackle Brandon Linder at No. 21.

Among other reasons UM didn't snag more of Rivals' top-25 local recruits: The No. 2 prospect, FSU-bound St. Thomas cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, said he did not grow up a UM fan and wants to go away for college. Northwestern receiver Michaelee Harris said he picked Louisville because he wants to play immediately.

Booker T. Washington defensive end Lynden Trail, a UF oral commitment, said: ``When I got on the phone with UM coaches, they go right to football. They ask, `When are you going to commit?' I was pushed away by their approach. [UF coach] Urban Meyer doesn't always ask about football. He takes time to learn about me and what I like to do and asks me about my girlfriend.'' His teammate, receiver Quinton Dunbar, wants to go to the same school as Trail and switched from UM to UF.

• Players UM didn't strongly pursue include the top-rated local quarterback (Central's Jeffrey Godfrey) and defensive tackle (Northwestern's Todd Chandler) and one of the top running backs (Columbus' Jakhari Gore) and cornerbacks (St. Thomas' Cody Riggs).

UM considered UF-bound Riggs too small at 5-9, but he said he wasn't interested in UM. ``Florida is the one winning championships now,'' Riggs said. ``That's why a lot of kids in our generation are looking at Florida.''

Gore, 5-10 and 175 pounds, and the 5-11 Godfrey do not fit offensive coordinator Mark Whipple's size preference. Eventually, ``They'll know they made a mistake,'' UCF-bound Godfrey said of UM bypassing him in favor of 6-2 oral commitment Stephen Morris of Miami Pace. ``Everyone talks about my height, but when you see me play, you know I can play. I already know the tricks of the trade. If they want to teach someone those things, well . . .''

Gore, who picked LSU over UF, said he's not upset with UM, and Columbus coach Chris Merritt said Clements ``fits Whipple's offense better than Jakhari. He's a bigger back. And Godfrey needs to be in an offense where he can run the ball. Whipple's offense has always had 6-3 dropback passers.''

Northwestern coach Billy Rolle said UM's Randy Shannon never returned his call to address why UM stopped pursuing Chandler but said some schools are dissuaded by his height (6-0). ``I was UM's first commitment, and they stopped recruiting me and never explained why. It's a slap in the face,'' Chandler said last month. He's considering USF and others.

• Former Kentucky defensive line coach Rick Petri, who had the same job at UM from 1993 to 1995, is a strong candidate to replace Louisville-bound Clint Hurtt as UM's defensive line coach. Former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill also has been mentioned.

• Hurtt was UM's recruiting coordinator, and one person expected to assume a larger role at UM is Paul Gonnella, Butch Davis' former player personnel director at North Carolina who was briefly with Lane Kiffin at Tennessee in 2009. Gonnella has been volunteering at UM, assisting with on-campus recruiting. . . . Hurtt got a big raise to $235,000 -- said to be $50,000 more than his UM salary.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/co...y/1434416.html

[MiamiHomer]

Jordan Futch's brother was shot and killed two nights ago.

[MiamiHomer]

I heard Andre Johnson is taking some classes this semester and has been seen around campus trying to finish up his degree. I need to look around for him.

[wanks1212]

The University of Miami has informed Pahokee defensive back Raheam Buxton that it is withdrawing its scholarship offer because of academic reasons, Pahokee coach Blaze Thompson said Friday.

Thompson said he was informed by UM about two weeks ago that Buxton "didn't meet their (academic) qualifications." Miami is a private school.

"I don't want to bash UM, but we're disappointed," Thompson said.

Thompson said he has called UM coach Randy Shannon to confirm everything and get clarification on why Buxton is being rejected for admission, and has been told that Shannon will contact him on Saturday.

Thompson said that Buxton visited Western Michigan last weekend and it's possible that he will be accepted there. Buxton is one of nine Pahokee players who have received offers from Division I schools.

"We're proud of that," Thompson said.

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/spor...mmit_buxt.html

[Bingebag]

Blaze is as good a dude as they come. He really cares for the kid's that he coaches.

Total side note. Drunk Appreciate Post.

[MiamiHomer]

It has been said that Buxton wasn't going to be in this class for a few months now. I really don't understand how the staff is handling some of this stuff this year.

[wanks1212]

• One Hurricanes official said Louisville-bound Clint Hurtt and UM both believed it was best for Hurtt to leave UM's staff to grow as a coach, though Randy Shannon could one day hire his good friend again. Another UM person said Hurtt and defensive coordinator John Lovett did not see eye-to-eye, and a UM official said Hurtt leaving won't hurt recruiting and expects the opposite effect. Hurtt plans to recruit South Florida aggressively for Louisville. . . . Kendal Thompkins, unhappy about moving to cornerback, told friends he expects Shannon will allow him to stay -- at least for now -- at receiver, where teammates rave about his skills. Asked about Thompkins, Shannon said player-personnel issues won't be decided until closer to spring practice in late February.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/co...442275-p2.html

[wanks1212]

After Graig Cooper's knee injury in the Champs Sports Bowl, talk was that he would sit out next season, get a redshirt and return to UM in 2011. But Cooper's father, Tino Thomas, said the surgically repaired injury was less serious than feared, doctors are optimistic, and Cooper believes he will be ready to start the 2010 season.

Cooper was told he had a partial ACL tear and no MCL tear; though a partial tear, after surgery, can take as long to heal as a full tear. Cooper's physician, Lee Kaplan, would not comment, but three doctors who have operated on NFL players expressed optimism about Cooper playing in 2010.

``His chances of getting back next season are pretty good,'' said Steven Cohen, who operates on Philadelphia-area pro athletes. ``If he returns in September, it might take another month for him to feel where he was before the injury.''

Cooper's father said his son was told he should be ready after four to six months, though some players with that injury need between six and nine months. UM's Sept. 2 opener against Florida A&M would be 7 ½ months after surgery.

Cooper, previously projected as a second-round pick, would need to regain his old form to earn a lot of playing time. Damien Berry will be the favorite to start, and teammates rave about Lamar Miller, who Jacory Harris said is UM's fastest back.

Mike James will be a factor, and don't discount Lee Chambers. Plus, two of UM's top recruits, Storm Johnson and Eduardo Clements, are early enrollees. If Cooper is healthy enough to play, it doesn't seem likely he would agree to sit out 2010 and return to UM in 2011, delaying an NFL career.

• Southern California contacted UM offensive coordinator Mark Whipple about the same job at USC, and an NFL team also has interest in him for an assistant's post. But UM remains optimistic Whipple will stay until he gets a head coaching job. . . . Two people briefed on Randy Shannon's contract-extension talks said that one issue taking a while to hash out is the amount he would get if UM buys him out midway through, or late, in a long-term contract.

• Oddly, UM's three most recent oral commitments -- defensive tackles Delmar Taylor (Miami Beach) and linebackers Kelvin Cain (Portland, Ore.) and James Gaines (Buffalo, N.Y.) -- drew no or very little interest from other BCS schools. Evanston (Ill.) defensive tackle Jeffery Brown, who could commit this weekend, lists only two other offers -- Illinois State and Eastern Michigan. Shannon wants his staff to trust their own evaluations.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/co...y/1447775.html

[Ralph]

--UM coach Randy Shannon and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will get to do something tonight many coaches failed to experience while recruiting top-ranked offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson. They will get an in-home visit. After weeks of conducting business at Cretin Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minn., the school Henderson attends, the family has agreed to host Shannon and Stoutland. In-home visits are much personal, compared to meeting in a coach's office. Could be an advantage for UM.

Another Henderson tidbit: His parents have every intention of moving with him to college. I spoke with his father Sean Henderson this morning and his response to the possibility of living in South Florida: "It's great, it's Miami, South Beach. We live in Minnesota, it's nine degrees right now and feels like 20 below (zero). I'm sure, it's 70 there."

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...ne-coach-.html
I've really felt that there was no shot for Henderson but I've grown a bit optimistic lately.

[wanks1212]

CORAL GABLES _ Linebacker Arthur Brown, once considered the top recruit in the 2008 class, has left the University of Miami.

Brown withdrew from school recently, according to a source close to the situation. Brown was unavailable for comment, but the source said the move was not football-related. Brown would have been a junior this fall.

Scout.com rated Brown as the nation's top recruit after he finished his career at Wichita East. He was a Parade All-American and a member of USA Today's All-USA Team, but he struggled during his two seasons at UM. He cited "terminology" problems as a freshman and continued the adjustment last year.

Brown recorded 13 tackles last season, playing mostly on special teams. In 2008, he four tackles while appearing in 11 games.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...eaves-um-.html

[Fritz]

Looks like a huge loss for you guys.

[MiamiHomer]

Originally Posted by Fritz

Looks like a huge loss for you guys.

Not even close..not saying because he isn't good but because our coaching staff never really gave the kid a chance. Good luck to him apparently at Kansas State. I hope he does great.
--------------------
I'm also hearing that all the recruits UM is targeting that are announcing to tomorrow that haven't made a decision are unlikely to choose UM. Talk about an extremely poor recruiting year at first glance.

[wanks1212]

Yeah Whitaker and Lemonier already eliminated UM, and I can't imagine McCartney or Henderson picking the 'Canes. McCartney's said he wants to play early, so West Virginia makes so much more sense for him. And I don't see Henderson passing up tOSU.

[Fritz]

I wasn't serious. He's contributed a dozen tackles over two years and his bro didn't come as the package deal and doesn't seem like he's all he's cracked up to be either.

[MiamiHomer]

Originally Posted by wanks1212

Yeah Whitaker and Lemonier already eliminated UM, and I can't imagine McCartney or Henderson picking the 'Canes. McCartney's said he wants to play early, so West Virginia makes so much more sense for him. And I don't see Henderson passing up tOSU.

Not to mention IMac doesn't even qualify academically for UM as of right now plus he has 2 former teammates at WVU and another current one committed to WVU.
--------------------

Originally Posted by Fritz

I wasn't serious. He's contributed a dozen tackles over two years and his bro didn't come as the package deal and doesn't seem like he's all he's cracked up to be either.

Oh ok.

[wanks1212]

The final perception of UM's recruiting class will be shaped by whether the Hurricanes land any of the touted prospects who are declaring Wednesday: offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, receiver Ivan McCartney, defensive tackle J.R. Ferguson and linebacker Josh Shirley. Regardless, analysts agree UM has helped itself on the offensive line and running back, and the linebacker group looks promising.

``Unbelievable class,'' coach Randy Shannon said. ``We filled a lot of needs. We're going to get back to the level we need to be at for a long time.''

Jeremy Crabtree of rivals.com said regardless of what happens Wednesday, ``Miami is still a top-20 class and their offensive line class is one of the best in the country.'' But Rivals' Jamie Newberg said, ``You look at talent in their area, and I would have expected more [so far]. Somewhat disappointing.''

Feedback on UM's class:

• Quarterback: Pace's Stephen Morris, an early enrollee, wasn't heavily recruited, but ``a lot of big-time guys don't want to sit behind Jacory Harris for two years,'' Elite Scouting's Charles Fishbein said. ``Morris is a smart kid, has a great arm and fits Mark Whipple's system. But he's not polished, not consistent and not a pure drop-back passer.''

• Running back: Fishbein said Booker T. Washington's Eduardo Clements could become ``a better version of Graig Cooper'' and compares Georgia's Storm Johnson to Javarris James -- Johnson has a knack for gaining yards after contact. (Clements and Johnson are early enrollees.) Don't forget Naples' Darion Hall, whose 10.6-yard average led the state as a junior. Tampa fullback Maurice Hagens is a gifted blocker.

• Offensive line: Of the six-to-eight players who will be signed, UM especially likes tackles Brandon Linder and Malcolm Bunche, who could be starters in a couple years. UM added two others tackles (Tavadis Glenn and Jermaine Barton), a guard (Johnathan Feliciano) and center (Shane McDermott). Bunche and McDermott are early enrollees.

• Tight end: Chase Ford, a Texas junior college transfer arriving this summer, should play right away. ``He's better than Dedrick Epps and Tervaris Johnson when they came out of high school,'' Shannon said. Boston's Andrew Tallman could end up as a tackle. Belle Glades' Clive Walford ``is a project,'' Fishbein said. ``I'm not sure what he brings.''

• Receiver: Carol City's Allen Hurns, coming off a knee injury, ``could become a Kevin Beard-type, a nice third receiver,'' Fishbein said.

• Defensive back: Fort Myers cornerback Jeremy Davis is the best of four commitments, Fishbein said. ``He can be an NFL guy with his size and speed,'' Fishbein said. ``UM likes [Gainesville's] Devont'a Davis as a corner, but he will outgrow that and be a safety. He's similar to Randy Phillips.'' Fishbein said St. Thomas' Keion Payne ``is raw in technique, the furthest from playing.''

• Defensive line: Fishbein said the three oral commitments -- end David Perry and tackles Delmar Taylor and Jeffery Brown -- aren't ready to contribute. ``Perry has potential, but he's not in Olivier Vernon's league,'' he said. Taylor, an offensive lineman, played just four snaps at defensive tackle at Miami Beach.

• Linebacker: Of the five, the highest-rated is Virginia's Travis Williams, ranked 15th among linebackers by Rivals. ``Great motor; big-time player,'' Crabtree said. Gainesville's Kevin Nelson, a middle linebacker, ``is solid, hopefully a better version of a Glenn Cook,'' Fishbein said. And Newberg predicts Georgia's Tyrone Cornelius, an early enrollee, will be ``a gem -- great speed, athleticism.''

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/co...y/1459734.html

[McLevin]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww C-A-N-E-S CANES!!!!



just stopping in

what do you all like that you're hearing about spring ball so far? I know spring ball is just fables and fairy tales but there are always fun things that come out of it

I like that the other QBs are getting time with the 1st team
I love what our running backs seem to be doing
And I think the entire college football nation will know about Ojomo once next season ends

anyone going to the spring game?

[MiamiHomer]

I will probably attend the spring game.

[Ralph]

'The U' sequel on UM rebirth

ESPN's documentary on the University of Miami football program was such a hit that the creators have begun working on a sequel.

Director Billy Corben said the new film, It's All About the U, will focus on Hurricanes football between 1992 and 2002. The first movie, called The U, primarily focused on the 1980s, through 1991.

Interviews with former Canes are being lined up for the first three weeks of April. ``Then we'll edit it the rest of the year'' while juggling nonsports projects, Corben said. He would love for the sequel to air on ESPN but hasn't discussed it with the network. Corben likely will have other options if ESPN passes.

The idea of doing a sequel ``started as a lark,'' Corben said. ``[Former UM cornerback] Mike Rumph twittered after the first movie, `What about the U-2?' A few weeks ago, we said, `Why don't we just do it?'''

Corben said the sequel ``will cover the Pell Grant scandal and the program's downfall and give Butch Davis his due for rebuilding the program. Butch did something extraordinary that deserves to be acknowledged.''

The film will spend considerable time on the 2001 team -- put together by Davis and coached by Larry Coker -- ``which is considered one of the best teams of all time,'' Corben said. ``It all comes down to what Alonzo Highsmith said at the end of the first movie about the program's success: If they had accomplished all of this at a major football university like Alabama, the school would have built monuments.

``This sequel will be the monument to the 2001 team even if the university is not as enthusiastic to memorialize their accomplishments.''

Corben also will reflect on the 2002 team that lost the Fiesta Bowl (and the national championship) to Ohio State after a highly questionable pass-interference call against UM.

``We have Larry Coker talking about that,'' Corben said. ``We didn't use any of Coker's interview in the first movie.''

Corben said UM declined to cooperate with the first film but ``I hope they will be more reasonable this time around.'' He said he wants to interview only two people currently employed by the university -- former athletic director Paul Dee (who teaches at UM) and strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey.

The U was ESPN's highest-rated documentary ever, with a 1.8 rating and 2.3 million viewers on its first airing. By comparison, other documentaries in ESPN's ``30 for 30'' series averaged below a 1.0 rating. ESPN said it will release a DVD of The U -- with about 30 minutes of deleted scenes -- on Amazon.com, but it isn't available yet.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/1...m-rebirth.html

[MiamiHomer]

Awesome and I can't wait till they release the DVD for the first documentary.

[wanks1212]

• The top executive for the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome said he would like to match Miami with Alabama (or if that doesn't happen, Auburn, Georgia or South Carolina) in 2012, with each participant getting $2.25 million. ``It's something we would be interested in,'' UM athletic director Kirby Hocutt said. Hocutt wants a 2012 neutral-site football game and also is considering Chicago (against a Big East or Big Ten team).

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/0...#ixzz0mk3BzouA

[MiamiHomer]

Miami (Fla.) football coach Randy Shannon has signed a new four-year contract that goes into effect this coming season.

"This is an important contract for us," President Donna Shalala told USA TODAY Wednesday night. "We believe that Randy Shannon will get us back to where we belong, competing for a national championship year after year."

The Hurricanes, who went 9-4 in 2009, last won the national title in 2001.

Shannon, 44, took over in 2007 and has led Miami to two bowls. Last fall, the Hurricanes defeated three top-25 teams and played in the Champs Sports Bowl.

"We are very proud of the positive steps our football program has taken under the leadership of Coach Shannon," Miami athletics director Kirby Hocutt said in a news release. "With a commitment to excellence in the classroom, in the community, and in competition, we are well on our way, once again, to the top of the college football world."


Salary numbers were not released.

"There's no other place I'd rather be than coaching Hurricanes football," Shannon said in the release. "I'm excited about the momentum we continue to build."

Miami's team also has been recognized for a strong performance in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), which combines graduation and retention numbers. Under Shannon, the team has been in the top 10% of major college programs.
"Randy has done it all," said Shalala.

Miami gives football coach Randy Shannon new four-year deal

[wanks1212]

Good. Going into the season with Randy as a lame duck would have pretty much killed any recruiting efforts, especially for guys like Bridgewater.

And if it's a 4 year contract that goes into effect this season, that means that 2 years into the contract will be when Jacory's class has graduated, which is a fair point in time to evaluate everything Randy's done at the U and make a decision on whether to keep him for the long haul. I'm not sure the results will be favorable at that point, and if they aren't, they can dump him with 2 years left on the deal and not eat a ton of money. And if Jacory's class ends up winning big, well, then Randy will probably deserve a new deal.