Feedback, reaction on UM’s defensive freshman additions. And Canes portal updates
What are the Miami Hurricanes getting from their 2025 recruiting class? Here’s some feedback on the players on defense, mostly from South Florida recruiting analyst Larry Blustein:
DEFENSIVE LINE
▪ Blustein on Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna’s 6-3, 281-pound Donta Simpson (247 Sports’ No. 59 defensive lineman): “He’s an interior kid. He’s huge, 6-4, 295 now. His hands are big. He’s been out most of the year with a groin injury. He’s an immovable object in the middle. Big, strong. He originally committed to Maryland. I’ve been watching him since youth football and he’s gotten really big. He’s one of those guys who needs work and he will get in the weight room and develop.”
EDGE
▪ Blustein on Los Angeles-based Hayden Lowe (247 Sports’ No. 3 edge player and No. 44 player overall): “I was at a camp with him two years ago. He’s a monster. He’s a play on Sundays [NFL] kid, long and quick and strong.”
▪ Blustein on Georgia-based Herbert Scroggins (No. 20 edge player, No. 190 overall): “Saw him on film, not live. He’s a physical specimen.”
▪ Bluestein on Newberry, Fla.-based Mykah Newton (247 Sports’ No. 78 edge player): “I saw Mykah at a camp we had, and he’s the hardest worker I’ve seen. There is a group of eight kids in the Gainesville area that get together a couple times a week and he’s part of that group and they’ve only gotten better and better technically by doing things together. He will outwork everybody. And he’s agile.” He’s also physically mature at 6-3, 250 pounds.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
▪ The 247 Sports scouting report on Tampa Armwood linebacker Kellen Wiley (No. 44 linebacker): “Will need to get adjusted to the speed and complexity of the college game, but projects as a potential multi-year starter and impact player at the Power Four level that defensive coordinators can move around. Rare jumping metrics suggest that he could test off the charts one day for NFL scouts.”
▪ Blustein on Miami Central’s Ezekiel Marcelin (No. 39 linebacker): “He may be one of the best playmakers I’ve seen. He was MVP every time I saw him no matter what game. Had four sacks against Northwestern. He started since the ninth grade. Had an interception in the state championship game vs Merritt Island as a freshman. He can cover. He’s got to gain weight. [Former standout UM linebacker] Sean Spence is the guy he reminds me of. Sean came in 198 pounds; Zeke is a little more than that.”
CORNERBACK
▪ Hollywood Chaminade Madonna’s Chris Ewald (No. 31 cornerback): Blustein sees him as a project with upside: “Athletic and twitchy. There’s a learning curve with him; he’s not someone who will start right away. He’s technically sound, has played a lot of games.”
▪ Louisiana based Jaboree Antoine (No. 29 corner): Blustein hasn’t seen much of him. UM coach Mario Cristobal said many teams tried to get him to flip.
SAFETY
▪ Columbus High’s Bryce Fitzgerald (No. 20 safety, No. 223 overall): “He can play corner and safety. He’s a playmaker, so he could be a Kam Kinchens type. Plays basketball, too.”
▪ Miami Central’s Amari Wallace (No. 23 safety): ”He was out all year with a broken leg. Got hurt in preseason. He may miss his freshman year. Quick, great ball skills, very athletic. Heart and soul of their secondary before his injury.”
PORTAL UPDATE
As of Monday, Miami had added six players in the transfer portal: LSU receiver CJ Daniels, Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay, Michigan State cornerback Charles Brantley, Jacksonville State safety Zechariah Poyser, FAU kicker Carter Davis and Charlotte long snapper Adam Booker.
Five players who visited UM hadn’t disclosed decisions as of midday Monday: Arizona cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, Washington State cornerback Ethan O’Connor, NC State receiver KC Concepcion (who has announced UM, FSU, South Carolina, Alabama, Colorado and Texas A&M as his final six) and Idaho cornerback Andrew Marshall.
Several who were linked to UM committed elsewhere the past several days, including Washington State safety Adrian Wilson (who visited UM but committed to Arizona State on Monday), Georgia Tech receiver Eric Singleton (Auburn), Kentucky defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver (Southern California), UCF defensive tackle Matthew Alexander (Georgia Tech) and Auburn tight end Micah Riley (Texas A&M).
UM reportedly remains a top candidate for Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas, who is considered one of top remaining defensive players in the portal. The search for a veteran quarterback addition also continues, though UM appears OK with Emory Williams as the starter if that’s how it turns out.
Meanwhile, the Canes are a serious contender for TCU center James Brockermeyer; 247 Sports favors UM in the battle for him after he entered the portal Monday. He permitted just one sack and eight pressures in 500 pass block snaps.
UM’s portal departures so far have been quarterback Reese Poffenbarger (joining North Texas), receiver Isaiah Horton (reportedly joining Alabama), running back Chris Johnson (SMU), offensive lineman Antonio Tripp, cornerback Robert Stafford, linebacker Bobby Washington and running back Ajay Allen.
This story was originally published December 23, 2024 at 12:57 PM.
