Early signing day 2019: Miami #Category20 gets blue-chip OT, top RB and QB of future
It’s all over for the day — or at least it appears to be.
The Hurricanes signed 18 of their 20 committed players. One (see below) flipped to Auburn and another — defensive tackle Willie Moise out of Hollywood Chaminade — is waiting to sign until February.
As of 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Canes’ new class was ranked 16th by Rivals.com, 17th by the 247Sports composite and 19th by ESPN.
Read below for how and when it all played out.
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The early signing period for high school football recruits began at 7 a.m. Wednesday, when players in the Class of 2020 — known as #Category20 at the University of Miami — were allowed to begin signing their Letters of Intent to play for the colleges of their choice.
This week, that early period runs through Friday.
After that, recruits will have to wait until at least National Signing Day on Feb. 5, 2020, to sign their scholarships.
The Hurricanes were hoping for about 20 signees, and maybe more should some uncommitted targets on their wish list choose Miami. Losses in the past two games to FIU and Duke undoubtedly hurt the good feelings that three consecutive previous victories produced, so it wasn’t looking especially promising for some of those higher profile targets.
But you never know until it’s all over.
We’ll be keeping you abreast of any developments and signings, so keep checking our Miami Herald live blog throughout the day.
And they’re off! And what a start with UM’s future quarterback. Keep checking this blog as we put the newest signees on top — or any pertinent news.
2:13 p.m: Let it flowe, let it flowe...
Justin Flowe, the top linebacker in the nation, picks Oregon, coached by former UM player and assistant coach Mario Cristobal. He had UM as a finalist, but few believed he would come to Coral Gables.
p.m: Linebacker Romello Height becomes the only recruit to decommit from the Hurricanes on Signing Day, pledging his allegiance to Auburn instead.
The 6-5, 216-pound backer from Dublin, Georgia, was rated three stars by Rivals and in the 247Sports composite and four stars by ESPN.
There was intense speculation on the Internet that Height had taken an official visit to Auburn last weekend, as supposedly evidenced by photos of him in an Auburn jersey that were posted on social media. 247Sports confirmed that he did, indeed, visit Auburn this past weekend.
1:09 p.m:
DE Elijah Roberts, 6-3, 267, Columbus
Other suitors: Florida State, Georgia Tech, Florida, South Carolina, Penn State
247Sports composite: Four stars, 324 nationally, 14 SDE, 55 in state, 5.01 40 at The Opening Regional last February.
Rivals: Four stars, 13th position, 47 state.
ESPN: Four stars, 31st defensive end in country. 56th player in state. 5.16 40.
Roberts orally committed to Miami twice before he ultimately signed Thursday. The defensive end first signed in 2018, before his junior year, but he decommitted before the end of the year to reassess his options. The Florida Gators, Penn State Nittany Lions and a few others started to recruit him before Roberts ultimately pledged back to the Hurricanes in June. He hasn’t wavered since and helped Columbus win its first state title this year. The defensive lineman finished his senior season with 36 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble.
12:30 p.m: Warn your quarterbacks! Consensus four-star pass-rusher on his way to Miami.
DE Chantz Williams, 6-4, 238, Orange Park Oakleaf
Other suitors: Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Georgia, Florida, Auburn
247Sports composite: Four stars, 77 national, 4th WDE, 14th Florida
Rivals: Four stars, 144 national, 7th WDE, 24th State
ESPN: Four stars, 7th at position, 57th nationally, 40 in 4.78
If Chantz Williams turns out anything like outgoing senior linebacker Shaq Quarterman, a fellow Oakleaf graduate, the Hurricanes will be in great shape. As it is, Williams is one of the highest rated rush ends in the nation. The 247Sports composite has him as the fourth best rush end in the nation and the 77th best player, regardless of position. Rivals and ESPN each have him as the nation’s seventh best rush end.
Williams is a lanky edge rusher in the mold of Gregory Rousseau and some of Miami’s other recent successful defensive lineman. He picked the Hurricanes in July despite previously announcing a top three consisting of the Florida Gators, LSU Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs, and could be one of Miami’s next great defensive ends if he fills out similarly to Rousseau.
12:10 P.M: The Canes just signed their blue-chip offensive lineman, and if he is as good as advertised, that will end up a very significant get.
OT Jalen Rivers, 6-6, 331, Orange Park Oakleaf High
Other suitors: Clemson, Florida State, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Alabama
247Sports composite: Four stars, 145th national, 15th best at his position, 23 state
Rivals: Four stars, 212 national, 19 position, 37 state
ESPN: Four stars, 35th national, 5 position, 4 state
40 (ESPN): 5.67
When very large offensive tackle Jalen Rivers declared on social media this past June that “I have found the place I will call home for the next few years,’’ Miami Hurricanes’ coaches had to be ecstatic — because that place was UM.
Think the Hurricanes are in dire need of some special offensive linemen? The answer is an unequivocal yes.
Rivers intends to graduate early from Oakleaf High, where UM outgoing senior linebacker Shaq Quarterman played, and be an early enrollee so he can participate in spring football.
Rivers might be the most important member of Miami’s Class of 2020, given the Hurricanes’ ongoing struggles along the offensive line. The Under Armour All-American has the size to stick at tackle and could compete for immediate playing time when he early enrolls next month. As of now, Rivers is the only blue-chip offensive lineman in the class and he’s the first blue-chip tackle prospect to sign with Miami since offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson, who immediately moved to guard.
11:33 a.m. The prize of #Category20 just became a Miami Hurricane. He’s been loyal the whole way through. Refreshing off the field and dangerous on it. Welcome to the U, Don Chaney.
RB Donald Chaney Jr., 5-11, 203, Belen Jesuit
Other suitors: LSU, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Oklahoma.
247Sports composite: Four stars, 35th overall in nation, 5th RB in nation, 6th overall in state
ESPN: Four stars, 42nd player overall, 6th RB in nation, 4.55 40..
Rivals: Four stars, 46th national, 6th at position, 7th in state
Chaney spent years at the top of Miami’s wish list for the Class of 2020 and finally committed to the Hurricanes in February at Manny Diaz’s first junior day as coach. The elite running back holds every rushing record at Belen Jesuit and will play in the All-American Bowl next month in San Antonio. Chaney is the top-ranked senior in Miami-Dade County and is slated to early enroll next month. He ran for 1,279 yards and 15 touchdowns on 114 carries as a senior, and is a three-time state champion in the high jump.
Chaney is especially excited to be in this class with Deerfield Beach Bucks signee Jaylan Knighton.
““I can’t wait because it’s going to be a lot of competition,’’ he told the Miami Herald. “It’s going to make everyone better,” Chaney said. “They see me and Rooster competing, everybody’s going to want to compete. Once I see somebody going hard, I’m like, OK, let me go harder, so it’s something that will translate to the entire team. “
1:15 a.m: Another Under Armour All-American wide receiver coming your way, Miami. Just call him dazzling Dazalin.
WR Dazalin Worsham, 6-0, 185, Hewitt-Trussville (Alabama)
Other suitors: Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Florida, Alabama
247Sports composite, Four stars, 327 nationally, 57 at position, 15 in state (4.81 40 in April, 2018)
Rivals: Three stars, 79th at position, 25th in state
ESPN: Four stars, 185th nationally, 28th at his position, 10th in alabama
Worsham is one of the most productive receivers in Alabama history and Miami was able to pry him out of the state. He decommitted from the Alabama Crimson Tide in June after he took his official visit to Miami and finally committed to the Hurricanes last month. As a senior, Worsham had 54 catches for 427 yards, six touchdowns and a two-point conversion to finish his career in the top 10 in Alabama history in career receptions. He’s an Under Armour All-American.
11:04 a.m: The Canes get an Under Armour All-American receiver. Their quarterback will appreciate it.
WR Michael Redding III, 6-1, 195, Bradenton IMG Academy
247sports composite: four stars, 167 national, 29 position, 25 state (40 dash: 4.54, 41.4-inch vertical)
Rivals: four stars, 103 national, 20 position, 15 state
ESPN: four stars, 214 national, 35 position, 34 state
Other suitors: Florida State, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Oregon
Redding hails from the Florida Panhandle, but spent most of his high school career at IMG Academy. While the Florida State Seminoles were long the presumed favorite, Redding visited Miami in June and had a one-on-one workout with wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield. While on the visit, he became enamored with the school in part because of the engineering program, and he committed later in the month. The physically impressive receiver finished his senior season with 17 catches for 202 yards and one touchdown, plus five carries for 12 yards. He’ll play in the Under Armour All-America Game, then early enroll next month.
10:47 a.m. More Buck Pride!
The Hurricanes just announced the signing of Deerfield Beach consensus four-star running back Jaylan Knighton. He’s a keeper, ranked as high as the No. 5 tailback in the nation.
RB Jaylan Knighton, 5-9, 194, Deerfield Beach
Other suitors: Clemson, Florida State, Florida, Oklahoma
247 composite: Four stars, 104 national, 10 position, 19 state
Rivals: Four stars, 146 national, 5 position, 25th state
ESPN: Four stars, 88th national, 11 position, 15th state, 4.51 40-yard dash
Knighton’s winding recruitment ultimately led him to Miami last month. He orally committed to the Oklahoma Sooners before his junior season, then backed away from his pledge in January. He then wound up committing to the Florida State Seminoles in July and decommitted in November. Less than a month later, Knighton finally joined the Hurricanes’ class because of the coaching staff’s persistence.
Max Preps had Knighton’s yardage in 2019 at 1,414, with an outstanding 9.7-yards-per-carry average, 117.8 yards a game and 21 total touchdowns (19 rushing).
Fellow four-star committed running back Don Chaney of Belen Jesuit has proclaimed his excitement in having Knighton on the UM roster to create competition and make the Canes’ offense even stronger.
10:22 a.m: The Canes just nabbed their fourth defensive back in this class. He’s a four-star talent listed by recruiting sites as either a safety or cornerback. He’s one of the best in the nation no matter where he plays. Welcome to the U, Jalen Harrell.
S Jalen Harrell, 6-2, 180, Champagnat Catholic
Other suitors: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Central Florida
247sports composite: Four stars, 236 nationally, 22nd best safety in nation, 38 state
Rivals: Four stars, lists him as a CB, 117 nationally, 8th best cornerback, 18th in state
ESPN: Four stars, lists him as a CB, 26 in nation at position, 62nd in state
Harrell was a do-everything defensive back for Champagnat Catholic in the same way defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau was when he was at Champagnat. Miami likes the safety because of this versatility. He mostly played cornerback throughout his high school career and originally committed to the Florida State Seminoles to play corner before the Hurricanes convinced him to embrace versatility in Coral Gables. Harrell could wind up at either safety or striker for Miami after he racked up 62 tackles, three passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble in 11 games as a senior for the state-champion Lions.
10:07 a.m: Buck Pride! (OK, full disclosure: All three of my children went to Deerfield Beach High). But the newest pride of the Deerfield Beach Bucks is extremely talented athlete/wide receiver Xavier Restrepo.
ATH/WR Xavier Restrepo, 5-10, 186, Deerfield Beach
Other suitors: Louisville, Pittsburgh, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan
247Sports composite: Three star WR, 829 national, 50th athlete, 114 FL, 4.58 The Opening Regional in Feb. 2019
Rivals: Four-star WR, 54th at position and state
ESPN: Three stars, Lists as athlete, 101st at position, 194th at state
Restrepo is a do-everything star for Deerfield Beach, and his play at wide receiver has earned him comparison to former wide receiver Braxton Berrios. Although he could also play strong safety, Restrepo has always been most impressive on offense and was the Bucks’ second-leading receiver this season, while also going 12 of 16 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, and playing a significant role on defense.
10:16 a.m. NEWS FROM FORMER COMMIT: Consensus four-star Homestead South Dade High safety Jaiden Francois has left the Hurricanes for good. On Wednesday, the 6-0, 184-pound defensive back gave his pledge to the Nebraska Cornhuskers instead of going with the Canes.
Francois first committed to the hometown team in 2018, but decommitted later in the year after Manny Diaz, then the defensive coordinator, left for his brief stint as coach of the Temple Owls. He committed again in February, then decommitted again in October when teams like the Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes got involved in his recruitment.
Francois unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the Nebraska pick at 10:16 a.m. He was considered one of the best ballhawks in South Florida history and tied the Miami-Dade County single-season record with 12 interceptions as a junior in 2018.
9:48 a.m: Did someone say “tight end U?” Or did they say, “Welcome to the U, Mr. Mammarelli.”
TE Dominic Mammarelli, 6-4, 235, Naples
Other suitors: LSU, South Carolina, Arkansas, Michigan, Purdue
247Sports composite: three stars, 410 nation, 13th-best TE, 63 in FL
ESPN: four stars, No. 2 at position (TE/H), 59 in state
Receptions are hard to come by in Naples’ run-heavy offense, but Mammarelli still finished his senior year with five catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns in just five games. A former basketball player, Mammarelli became a well-rounded tight end in Naples’ system because he was required to block more than a receiver with his physical traits normally would. He committed to Miami back in 2018 and never wavered. He will early enroll.
9:14 a.m: Chris Washington is tall. Chris Washington is large (but not as large as he will be getting). Chris Washington is now a Miami Hurricane.
OT Chris Washington, 6-7, 269, Overton (Nashville)
Other suitors: Wake Forest, Ole Miss, Indiana, Memphis, Cincinnati
247Sports composite: three-star offensive tackle, 1,166 national, 92nd-best OT, 34th player in Tennessee. 5.43 40 last May at The Opening Regional
Rivals: Three-star offensive tackle, unrated
ESPN: Three-star OT; 86th best OT; 25th in Tennessee
Washington is the sort of developmental tackle prospect offensive line coach Butch Barry loves. Thanks to a 6-7 frame, the tackle’s ceiling is higher than his ranking indicates. He attended Miami’s Paradise Camp in June just a few days after landing an offer and committed before he left Coral Gables. His development will get a jump start when he early enrolls next month.
8:57 a.m: Goodness knows the Miami Hurricanes are in desperate need of linebackers. And guess what? They just signed one. Welcome to the U, Corey Flagg Jr.
ILB Corey Flagg, 5-10, 223, North Shore (Houston)
Other suitors: Virginia Tech, Boston College, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Purdue
247Sports composite: Lists as 3-star ILB, 888 national, 38th ILB 111 in Texas, 40 in 4.92 at The Opening Regional 3-17-19, as jr had five forced fumbles
Rivals: Three stars ILB, 25th at position, 72nd in state of Texas
ESPN: Lists as OLB and 47th OLB overall and 88th best in Texas
Flagg is a wildly productive linebacker who drew major attention despite lacking ideal measurables at his position. North Shore is a top-10 team in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25, and Flagg is the heart and sole of its defense. He missed the first part of this season due to injury, but he piled up 144 tackles and 33 tackles for loss as a junior in 2018.
8:33 a.m. Canes get a speedy, talented linebacker who should grow into the position.
LB Tirek Austin-Cave, 6-1, 203, Camden (New Jersey)
Other suitors: West Virginia, Minnesota, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Kansas State
247Sports composite: ILB, three stars, 579 nation, 27 position, 15th NJ
Rivals: ILB, three stars, 24th position, 16th in state
ESPN: OLB, three stars, 44th at position, 14th NJ, 4.7 40 dash
Austin-Cave is is one of the prospects being counted on as a long-term successor to linebackers Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney, and he has the highest upside of the group. The speedy middle linebacker was clocked at 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash at The Opening New Jersey regional in April and his speed translates on the field. Austin-Cave, whose father played baseball for the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, finished his senior season with 148 tackles, 11 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, nine quarterback hurries and eight passes defended. He also went 8 of 13 on extra points and will early enroll.
8:20 a.m: Here comes another Hurricane from way up the road in Florida. CB/WR/Athlete Marcus Clark signs with Miami. He calls himself “Greedy’’ on Twitter, so that’s a good start.
CB/WR Marcus Clarke, 5-11, 175, Winter Park
Other suitors: Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Minnesota
247Sports composite: Three-star athlete, 790 nationally, 62nd best cornerback in nation, FL 108, ran 4.57 40 at The Opening Regional in Feb, 2019
Rivals: Three stars CB, unranked, recruited by Mike Rumph
ESPN: Lists as three-star wide receiver, 148th at position, 127th in state
Clarke was a two-way standout at Winter Park, but Miami loves his upside on defense. As a cornerback this season, Clarke recorded 15 tackles, four passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble. As a wide receiver, Clarke piled up 600 receiving yards and 384 rushing yards on just nine carries. The senior also returned a punt for a touchdown. The defensive back ran a 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at The Opening Orlando regional in February and committed to the Hurricanes in July.
7:57 a.m: The Canes have their second South Florida safety in this class. Welcome to Brian Balom of Miramar.
S Brian Balom, 6-0, 179, Miramar
Other suitors: Louisville, West Virginia, Indiana, Utah, FAU
247Sports composite: three stars, composite 820 national, 57th safety, 113th state, 4.63 40 at The Opening Regional last February
Rivals: three stars
ESPN: three stars, 77th at position, 173rd in state
Balom is one of the more underrated defensive backs in South Florida and his best games came in the biggest spots. He grabbed an interception in a loss to St. Thomas Aquinas and anchored the back end all season as Miramar’s free safety. The defensive back, who committed to Miami in September, finished his senior season with 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.
7:45 a.m: “Made in Dade, stayed in Dade,’’ boasts the Hurricanes. They’re talking about safety Keshawn Washington of South Dade High School.
S Keshawn Washington, 6-2, 177, South Dade
Other suitors: Florida State, Georgia, Auburn, Penn State, Oregon
247Sports four-star composite: 367 nationally, 34 at position, 60 in state
Rivals: Four stars, 129th in nation, 8th at position, 22nd in state
ESPN: Three stars, 43rd at position, 111 in state
South Dade coach Nathaniel Hudson once called Washington the Buccaneers’ “Draymond Green” because of the versatility he brings to South Dade’s defense. The four-star safety has played both as the deep safety and the in-the-box safety, and as an outside linebacker and even cornerback. If he bulks up, he could potentially turn into a striker. If he gets quicker, he could be a rangy ballhawk in the back end. Like a few other members of the class, Washington committed to Miami twice, once in 2018 and again earlier this year. The defensive back originally pledged in 2018, backed off later in the year when Manny Diaz left for his brief stint as the Temple Owls’ coach and then he rejoined the class in March once Diaz established himself as the Hurricanes’ coach.
Washington said Wednesday after his signing ceremony that the Canes’ “family’’ atmosphere and being “closer to home’’ were two important factors of him signing with UM. “My goal is to have a breakout season my first year,’’ he said with a grin.
7:28 a.m: Defensive end Quentin Williams is now part of the Miami Hurricanes’ 2020 signing class.
DE Quentin Williams, 6-3, 234, Mallard Creek (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Other suitors: Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Louisville, West Virginia
247Sports composite: Three-star DE, 683 nationally, 31 at position, 18th in North Carolina, 4.8 40 on 4-28-19 at The Opening Regional.
Rivals: Three stars, 31st WDE, 17th in state
ESPN: Three stars, 56th overall DE, 18th in NC
Williams was a terror off the edge for Mallard Creek this year, racking up 84 total tackles, 41 tackles for loss and 16 sacks as a senior. He committed to Miami in June after taking an unofficial visit and he has a chance to be one of the biggest steals in the class. The defensive lineman is an impressive athlete, who ran a 40-yard dash in 4.80 seconds at The Opening Charlotte regional in April.
7:14 a.m.: The Hurricanes just announce the signing of the quarterback of the future: Tyler Van Dyke — and he appears to be a great one.
QB Tyler Van Dyke, 6-4, 212, Suffield (Connecticut) Academy, four star
Other suitors: Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, Purdue, California
247Sports composite: National 209, No. 9 quarterback in country, No. 2 player in Connecticut.
Rivals: 199 national, 8 position, state 2.
ESPN: No. 2 pocket passer in nation, No. 1 in state, 105th nationally, 40-yard dash: 5.0/4.91
Van Dyke is Miami’s potential quarterback of the future. The strong-armed passer committed to the Hurricanes in April because he quickly built a close relationship with offensive coordinator Dan Enos and remained firm the entire way. As a senior, Van Dyke went 123 of 200 for 2,260 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions, and added 134 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries in nine games. He’ll early enroll.
“They were doing 7 on 7, one on ones and [UM offensive coordinator Dan Enos] was telling me the routes, the protections and the plays, too,” Van Dyke told CaneSport.com on Sunday after he watched practice last weekend. “It’ll be a challenge to learn, but I’ll definitely know how to do it if I study hard. I already picked some of it up in the film room with him and on the field.”
Van Dyke also was a star high school baseball pitcher and Western New England Prep Baseball Pitcher of the Year as a junior, according to 247Sports. He had a 6-0 record as a junior with a 1.08 ERA. He also hit .360 with 20 RBIs and 2 HRs in 14 games.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 7:18 AM.
