Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Chaminade WR Canion mulls keeping school’s pipeline to Miami open
ROYAL PALM BEACH — With the Early Signing Period for 2019 prospects over, some college coaches are starting to turn their focus to 2020 players.
Chaminade-Madonna wide receiver Eli Canion is one player who’s garnering attention from major schools.
“Now that the contact period is now open, it’s been getting a little bit more heavy,” Canion said at the Florida Fire 7-on-7 open run in Royal Palm Beach on Saturday.
Canion, a three-star prospect in 247Sports’ composite ranking, holds offers from Florida, Miami, Notre Dame and more, and now he’s beginning to look closer at his potential future teams.
The Lions had three seniors sign with Miami during the Early Signing Period: defensive backs Te’cory Couch and Keontra Smith and defensive lineman Cameron Williams. Two more players, 2020 offensive and defensive lineman Willie Moise and 2021 running back Thad Franklin, are committed to the Hurricanes.
Canion could become the sixth player from the 2018 state champions to head to Coral Gables if new coach Manny Diaz can keep that pipeline flowing.
“We’ll see,” Canion said. “I like what they’re doing so far. … [Five] of my teammates committed. They bug me about it every day, coming down there.
“That’s cool because if I do go there, I’m already comfortable, I already know everybody. It’s a family environment.”
The rising senior wide receiver is rated the No. 376 overall player and No. 79 wide receiver in the 2020 class. He was a South Florida Sun Sentinel first-team All-County pick after racking up 649 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, including a 71-yard score in the state title game.
Canion, who’s won two straight Class 3A state titles with the Lions, said the responsibility of living up to those teams motivates him to keep getting better.
“We’ve got to carry on the legacy of just winning every year,” Canion said. “When you win two years in a row, you’re expected to win every year.”