Hurricanes hope slide won’t impact 2019 recruiting class

CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes three-game losing streak has knocked Miami out of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, ended their regular-season home win streak and forced many outside the program to question coach Mark Richt’s decisions on everything from play-calling to the viability of his staff and his management of the quarterback position.

Now, it seems to be taking a toll on the class, too.

In the 48 hours after Miami’s 20-12 loss to Duke at Hard Rock Stadium, the Hurricanes lost verbal commitments from two players, three-star safety Cornelius Nunn out of Miami Palmetto and three-star running back Marcus Crowley out of Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy.

With the Hurricanes struggling and Hurricanes’ football’s recruiting early signing

period set to run from Dec. 19 to 21, the fear from many Miami fans is that this year’s class — which is ranked 22nd in the nation by recruiting website 247Sports.com — will continue to absorb significant hits.

On Tuesday, Richt said the Hurricanes are doing their best to stay in touch with their recruits, but he understands rival schools may try to take advantage of Miami’s woes in an effort to poach some of the Hurricanes committed players.

He’s hoping those won’t work.

“Certainly when you’re struggling and people [have] got some fuel to pour on what they consider a fire, they can get in a kid’s head,” Richt said. “We’ve got to do a good job of just staying in contact with them and letting them know everything is going to be OK.”

The Hurricanes have verbal commitments from 17 players, including eight players from South Florida, where criticism of Richt is more pronounced from fans on social media and sports talk radio.

Still, Hurricanes defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said he’s confident Miami will be able to keep most of its recruiting class efforts intact.

Miami has commitments from four offensive players, 12 defensive players and running back Damarius Good of Lake Brantley, who projects as a cornerback at the next level.

Diaz points to the fact Miami’s defense is still rated the No. 2 defense in the country and is among national leaders in several other categories including tackles for loss, passing defense and third-down conversion percentage.

“I think certainly with the guys I know we’re recruiting right now on defense, I think they can see you can play for an elite defense here,” Diaz said.

Whether the Hurricanes can add to their offensive haul, though, is a question.

Richt said the team remains on the lookout for one and according to 247sports, the school has reached out to Clemson graduate transfer Kelly Bryant.

On the offensive line, where the Hurricanes have struggled this year and could use help, Miami has commitments from just two players — fourstar offensive tackle Michael Tarquin of North Marion High and threestar offensive guard Kingsley Eguakun of Jacksonville Sandalwood. Both prospects have reportedly explored other options.