In private chats, Florida's Urban Meyer and Florida State's Bobby Bowden admitted last month that with Randy Shannon coaching the Canes, it has become increasingly difficult for them to lure top players from South Florida. But after recent lulls here, both are making a big push for top Dade and Broward 2009 prospects.

''Last year was real hard. Coach Shannon has done a nice job,'' said Meyer, who plucked seven Broward/Palm Beach players -- but none from Dade -- in the past three years, after UF grabbed 11 from Dade from 2002-05. ``We'll always be real aggressive here because there are more NFL players from this area than any in the country. It has just made it a little more difficult.''

So impressed with Shannon's recruiting, Bowden is reminded of a UM legend. ''That's where Howard Schnellenberger made a real good move -- wrapping up kids from this area,'' said Bowden, who signed seven players from Miami-Dade from 2004-06 but just one the past two years.

Heading into the summer, an update on some of the top local seniors-to-be who haven't orally committed:

• Killian running back Lamar Miller said ''I really like'' UM -- which covets him -- but also is considering eight others, including UF, FSU, UCF and USF. ''This will be a UM/UF fight,'' recruiting guru Larry Blustein predicts. Dade's other top running back, Palmetto's Jaamal Berry, said UM hasn't offered; he has strong interest in UF, FSU, Ohio State, Michigan, Auburn and Ole Miss.

• Miramar's Eugene Smith, South Florida's top quarterback prospect, said he is considering five schools -- FSU, USF, LSU, Louisville and Michigan. UM, deep in young QBs, hasn't offered, and though the Gators offered, ``They've recruited other quarterbacks, and I don't want to be set back.''

• Plantation QB/defensive back Brandon McGee (rated 110th nationally) said UM, FSU and UF are among 30 offers, and he will play cornerback in college: ''Miami stands a good chance. I grew up a Florida State fan, but that won't benefit them. Florida's [strong] depth at cornerback concerns me'' because he wants to play immediately.

• Undecided Gulliver linebacker Frankie Telfort, a potential safety in college, said UM hasn't offered, but 30 have, including FSU, UF, LSU, Notre Dame and USC. . . . South Broward offensive tackle Steven Jacques calls Auburn his favorite but hopes for an offer from UM. . . . Hallandale receiver/cornerback Ricardo Dixon said USF is his favorite (FSU offered; UM and UF haven't).

• Undecided Krop defensive tackle Brandon Taylor, son of NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, said only UM, Purdue and UCF have offered. . . . Florida and Clemson are making the strongest push for Northwestern safety Tevin McCaskill. . . . Blustein predicts a UM/UF battle for top Plantation American Heritage OT Jared Wheeler, and they also are top contenders for Columbus DT Antwan Lowery.

CHATTER

• Though Dolphins rookie Phillip Merling had modest sack numbers at Clemson (10 in 38 games), Miami expects that to change. ''His pass-rushing [will be maximized] by a 3-4 scheme,'' defensive-line coach Kacy Rodgers said. . . . A battle brews at fullback, where Boomer Grigsby and Reagan Mauia are splitting first-team snaps. Grigsby is an interesting character: He has a tattoo in Hebrew (``power, strength, valor''), is a two-time national trampoline champion and never played fullback until the Chiefs moved him from linebacker last summer. ``I feel like I've found my calling.''

• Trainer Tim Grover, assisting USC guard O.J. Mayo, said Mayo's Heat workout ''went extremely well. People forget how good this kid is.'' Michael Beasley agreed to visit the Heat June 17-19, and one of Derrick Rose's agents said he likely will visit Miami next week, too. Chicago hasn't told Rose or Beasley of its plans with the No. 1 pick. . . . Team president Pat Riley and the Heat were among three teams that have been watching Stanford center Brook Lopez, Texas point guard D.J. Augustin and LSU forward Anthony Randolph work out in L.A. for the past two days.

• Look for Doug Betters and Bob Baumhower to be announced as inductees into the Dolphins' Honor Roll. They edged out John Offerdahl. . . . Ace Marlins prospect Cameron Maybin's recent power at Double A is encouraging (five homers in a 37 at-bat stretch), and he is up to .265 but still strikes out a lot.

''He's making progress,'' said Fredi Gonzalez, who will continue to use right-handed-hitting Cody Ross against some right-handers instead of going with a straight Ross/ Jacque Jones platoon in center field.

• Sightings: Ken Griffey Jr., largely unnoticed while dining with his wife at Nobu, interacts with fans during games, unlike other stars. This past weekend here, he answered a couple of fans' questions before an at-bat and turned and laughed when a heckler said, ``You'll never be as good as your old man!''

Griffey also was amused when one fan said, ''You won't hit 600 here, even though I want you to!'' (On Monday at Dolphin Stadium, Griffey hit his 600th homer.)

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