Signing day could be quiet
Hurricanes already have received commitments from 19 players for the 2020 class
It’s becoming more evident that national signing day will be quiet in Coral Gables, without much action in the Miami Hurricanes’ 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday.
That is not any indictment on UM’s recruiting class, but more so a testament to the increasing trend of the college football recruiting calendar moving up since the inception of the early signing period three years ago.
There is no longer the drama that surrounds the first Wednesday of February of the traditional national signing day, since schools and prospects alike try to secure commitments during the three-day period in December.
The Hurricanes already signed 18 recruits in December, a number that then increased to 19 once they were able to flip San Diego-based wide receiver Keyshawn Smith from Washington State on Jan. 21. Smith signed early with the Cougars, but since there was a head coaching change there after inking with them, he was eligible to opt out from that commitment. Miami pounced and was able to get Smith into its class.
Between the Early Signing Period and now, UM also added needed help at cornerback with the commitment of fourstar Isaiah Dunson out of Georgia. He is expected to officially sign on Wednesday. Before getting Dunson in the class, the Hurricanes only had three-star prospect Marcus Clarke from just outside Orlando as the only cornerback in
the class.
Barring a signing D day surprise, Miami could likely only be waiting on an announcement from DeLand four-star safety Avantae Williams, the top remaining uncommitted prospect in Florida who is choosing between the Gators and Hurricanes.
All indications with Williams, however, seem to point to him landing in Gainesville with all 12 of the “crystal ball” predictions listed on his 247 Sports page pick him to go with UF. Williams’ cousin is former Miami running back Lorenzo Lingard, a one-time five-star recruit who this offseason transferred to Florida.
The Hurricanes appear they will have to continue to wait on the signature of former Chaminade-Madonna defensive tackle Willie Moise beyond Wednesday, according to a report from Rivals’ CaneSport.com.
Likely to eventually join the Hurricanes, Moise simply needs to get his grades in order before putting pen to paper, according to the report. Chaminade’s coach, Dameon Jones, told the Sun Sentinel Moise no longer lives in South Florida.
Moise was the one committed recruit that remained unsigned after the early signing period. A standout on both the offensive and defensive line for Chaminade that initially committed to UM in March of 2018, Moise’s senior season was cut short due to a shoulder injury. His family moved to Orlando, according to a source, and he transferred to Edgewater High.
Miami has not added an
extra offensive lineman in its recruiting class after signing tackles Jalen Rivers and Chris Washington. It was an area the Hurricanes were expected to pursue an additional prospect or two, and UM could still look to the transfer portal to add another blocker.
In addition to incoming freshman recruits, the Hurricanes have also brought in three grad transfers who could play pivotal roles next season in quarterback D’Eriq King from Houston, defensive end Quincy Roche from Temple and kicker Jose Borregales from FIU.