Local inroads strengthened at Paradise Camp
CORAL GABLES — While the big commitment coming out of Paradise Camp hailed from Mississippi — from fourstar junior offensive tackle Brandon Cunningham — the Miami Hurricanes strengthened inroads locally with coach Mark Richt’s signature offseason recruiting event.
St. Thomas Aquinas’ Anthony Solomon came away impressed with the experience and has the Hurricanes high among his 33 scholarship offers.
“Miami is the home team. I grewup looking at Miami. My mom went to Miami, so Miami is always up there for me,” Solomon the four-star junior linebacker said after the camp.
He added that he enjoyed the opportunity to meet UM defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and working with former Hurricane and NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason, a Chaminade-Madonna alum.
Wellington junior receiver Mark-Anthony Richards, brother of Miami wide-out Ahmmon Richards and a USA Today Freshman All-American last season, participated in drills Saturday after attending Friday Night Lights at the University of Florida and visiting Georgia on Tuesday.
“It’s a great school all around, great city,” Richards, also a four-star recruit, said. “There’s a great coaching staff here and great players.
Richards isn’t naming any favorites yet. In addition to the Hurricanes, he has offers from Florida, Ohio State, Georgia, Auburn and Louisville.
Chaminade senior defensive lineman and Kentucky commit Davoan Hawkins used the opportunity at Paradise Camp to learn from current Miami defensive end Chad Thomas.
“Chad taught me how to use the swim move and the spin,” said Hawkins, a three-star prospect. “Just have to go ahead and bring it back to practice.”
Hawkins said he remains firm in his commitment to the Wildcats.
Freshmen and sophomore prospects worked out early Friday, but Atlantic sophomore WR Aydin Henningham went through drills with the high school upperclassmen on Saturday night.
Henningham who lists nine offers, is yet to pick one up from Miami. He said a Hurricanes offer would automatically put them in his top five along with Florida, LSU, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
Cunningham committed to Richt late Saturday night after the camp. The 6-5, 270-pound tackle is UM’s fifth commitment in its 2019 class.
In addition to area UM commits Al Blades Jr. of St. Thomas Aquinas, American Heritage defensive tackle Nesta Silvera and Palm Beach Gardens safety Gurvan Hall, fellow Hurricanes pledges there were: running back Lorenzo Lingard (Orange City University), receiver Mark Pope (Miami Southridge), receiver Daquris Wiggins (Southridge), safety Josh Jobe (Cheshire Academy in Connecticut by way of Miami Columbus), offensive lineman Delone Scaife (Southridge), defensive end Gregory Rousseau (Hialeah Champagnat), tight end Will Mallory (Jacksonville Providence) and lineman Cleveland Reed (Fort Meade).