Diaz reiterates top priority of recruiting
MIAMI GARDENS — Manny Diaz spoke to reporters during a Monday teleconference, the day after the Miami Hurricanes were selected to play in the Independence Bowl. But the coach was more focused on recruiting than facing Louisiana Tech.
Diaz was expected to offer his insight into the Dec. 26 matchup in Shreveport, Louisiana, but he showed, from his opening statement, what his priorities are at the moment: 1.) Finishing strong in recruiting with college football’s Early Signing Period, which begins Dec. 18, a week away; 2.) Prepare for the Independence Bowl.
“Very excited about the way this class is shaping out,” Diaz said. “We’ve got our entire staff right now on the road, trying to finish what is already a very strong recruiting class with the couple of remaining pieces, we think, can make it even stronger. We had a great weekend this past weekend, hosting some visitors on our campus. Beautiful weekend in Miami.”
Then Diaz got into the bowl game.
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“And then we also got back on the practice field for the first time on Saturday, which is good to get back out there, see our guys moving around again,” he said. “After we get through another official visit weekend [next] weekend, we will focus our full attention on finishing the season the way we need to finish in putting together an outstanding effort to defeat Louisiana Tech up there in Shreveport.”
Diaz reiterated the priority list later when asked about potential changes for the team heading into the offseason.
“We are focusing on two things,” he said. “We are focusing on recruiting. When recruiting ends here, it is simply, ‘What do we have to get our guys in the best position to play in Shreveport?’ And then, we’ll go on from there.”
While Miami’s 2021 recruiting class has had several decommitments since the Hurricanes finished the regular season 6-6, following back-to-back losses to FIU and Duke, UM’s 2020 class has remained strong.
Even with Ocala Vanguard offensive lineman Antonio Smith’s decommitment on Tuesday night — one that wasn’t a surprise — Miami has 20 commitments in the 2020 class. Rivals ranks the class No. 11 nationally and 247 Sports tabs it No. 15.
Diaz has been busy locking those core commitments and inspired by their attitude.
“I’ve had the opportunity to home visit over half of them,” he said. “They are not just solid. They are committed — and that word gets thrown around in recruiting — but they want to be part of the solution. And they want that to happen right away.
“Their energy, their excitement, the way they look you in the eye. They talk about what’s going to happen. … They see it. They see a bond, and sometimes, that’s just what it takes. It takes a class that’s got a little bit of a special something about it. That starts with leadership. We’ve got some great leaders in that class that guys want to rally around and that guys want to play together. That actually helps attract a few more guys in that class.”
A great example of a leader in the class is Miami Belen four-star running back Don Chaney Jr.
“I’m here to prove a point,” Chaney told the South Florida in is
Sun Sentinel of why he has remained firm in his commitment despite the team’s disappointing losses. “I’m going to make a statement for [Diaz] — not only for him, for myself, for my parents, my family, my friends and my school. It’s going to be a great opportunity to get out there and showcase what I got.”
What gives Chaney the confidence this class can be the one that turns the Hurricanes around?
“Knowing that I’m firmly committed, knowing that I’m committed to working hard, never giving up, I’m committed to doing whatever I have to do to be on top,” he said.
Chaney adds that “all 20 of us,” those committed players, share the same mindset.
Headlining the class, Chaney is joined by Deerfield Beach running back Jaylan Knighton, Connecticut-based quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and receivers in Alabama-based Dazalin Worsham and IMG Academy’s Michael Redding III. On defense, there’s Orange Park Oakleaf defensive end Chantz Williams, safeties in Hialeah Champagnat Catholic’s Jalen Harrell and Homestead South Dade’s Keshawn Washington and Chaminade-Madonna defensive tackle Willie Moise. All of the aforementioned players are four-star prospects.
This weekend’s slate of oncampus visitors is loaded with many of those already committed. Joining them in Coral Gables this final weekend before prospects can sign on Wednesday are South Dade four-star safety Jaiden Francois and four-star Texas A&Mcommitted offensive guard Chris Morris, according to 247 Sports. Francois, who is Chaney’s cousin, has been committed to the Hurricanes twice before and backed off each time.
The previous weekend had a top uncommitted target on campus in Las Vegas-based five-star tight end Darnell Washington.
On Monday, Washington had an encouraging tweet, posting pictures with Miami’s Turnover Chain and Touchdown Rings, accompanied by the caption: “Something special is happening in Miami. U see it.”
Among those also at UM last weekend were Crawfordville Wakulla four-star outside linebacker Keyshawn Greene, who decommitted from FSU on Friday, American Heritage three-star cornerback Davonte Brown and Louisville-committed offensive lineman Kobe Baynes.