Miami’s best remaining recruits find homes with top Group of 5 schools on signing day

Ja’Vin Simpkins didn’t hear from the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers for the first time until last month, not long after New Year’s Day. At the time, the Miami Norland star figured his college choice was going to come down to the Michigan State Spartans and UCF Knights, but recruiting, in the transfer-portal era, changes quickly.

A few weeks ago, Simpkins traveled to Conway, South Carolina, to visit Coastal Carolina for the first time and found an unlikely new home. On Wednesday, he officially locked in his college commitment, announcing his decision and signing with the Chanticleers at Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami Gardens on national signing day. He came to his decision Monday, he said.

“They started getting on me at the beginning of the year,” Simpkins said. “It took off from there. I went on a visit. It felt like home. I liked the way they were going to utilize me.” It’s a time of flux for Coastal Carolina. Less than two months ago, former Chanticleers coach Jamey Chadwell left for the Liberty Flames and Tim Beck left the NC State Wolfpack to take his place. Coastal Carolina’s new coaching staff went to work looking to uncover gems in the short window between the early signing period and the traditional signing day.

Simpkins could be one. The 5-foot-9, 183-pound running back was an Under Armour All-American just last month, and earned first-team all-county honors from the Miami Herald after rushing for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns on 108 carries last season, with 18 catches for 258 more yards and only one fumble lost. He was twice orally committed to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets before finally opening up his recruitment for good late last year and sits in the top 500 of the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2023 recruiting cycle.

The Chanticleers, who cracked the top 25 in each of the last three seasons, have a new centerpiece to their new coach’s first recruiting class.

“I know I’ve got to bring my A-game, and keep the culture going and keep the winning going,” Simpkins. “It’s going to push me to be a better athlete and better person.”

Eight other Vikings also locked in with colleges Wednesday: Morris Thomas, and Micah and Jermaine Beard signed with NAIA Florida Memorial University; Aidan Martinez signed with NAIA Warner University; Reginald Louis committed to the USF Bulls as a walk-on with an academic scholarship, and Rickwan Simmons and Stanley McKinnie committed to the FCS Florida A&M Rattlers as walk-ons with academic scholarships.

Moore follows Lashlee to SMU

Adam Moore first got to know Rhett Lashlee about two years ago, when Moore was still playing at Booker T. Washington and Lashlee was the Miami Hurricanes’ new offensive coordinator.

Now, the three-star tight end is following Lashlee to Dallas as one of the top-ranked players in the SMU Mustangs’ 2023 class.

Moore committed to SMU on Wednesday and signed with the Mustangs during a signing-day ceremony at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. He played his final season at Northwestern, fighting through injuries to put together another productive season for one of the top teams in the state.

“From the campus to the people that I’m being around, the coaches -- they was nice,” Moore said.

He’s the No. 45 tight end in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and the No. 4 recruit in SMU’s class.

The Mustangs effectively locked up his commitment two weeks ago when Moore traveled to SMU for an official visit. The 6-2, 225-pound receiver is a fan of Lashlee’s offense and the program he’s building in Texas.

“He’s a cool dude. He keeps it real, he keeps it 100. It’s not like he’s selling. He tells me the truth,” Moore said. “His offense is nice.”

Five other Bulls also locked in with colleges Wednesday: Kameron Brantley and Philip Mikle both signed with Division II Allen University, PJ Paulk and Dwayne Escoffery both signed with D-II Edward Waters University, and Eddie Byrd signed with Division III Mount St. Joseph University.

More Chaminade-Madonna stars sign

Chaminade-Madonna has become one of the hot spots for football recruiters from Power Five schools for some time.

But in today’s era of rampant activity with the NCAA transfer portal, there have been fewer opportunities for the more “under the radar” talent to earn a scholarship offer.

It’s part of the reason Lions wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. had to wait until recently for an FBS-level program to offer him such a chance.

On Wednesday, Thomas officially signed with the Charlotte 49ers in a ceremony at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood.

The 5-10, 175-pound receiver has had the nickname “Speedy” since his days of youth football, and had 35 catches for 606 yards and six touchdowns last season.

“I didn’t think it was going to turn out like this but God has plans for everyone,” Thomas Jr. said. “I’m just thankful. It’s a big opportunity because it’s a new staff and it’s going to be a great opportunity. I just have to step in from day one and show I could play good football.”

Chaminade coach Dameon Jones, who has coached plenty of four- and five-star talent during his career coaching the Lions and previously at Hallandale High, said he was really happy for Thomas Jr. and his three other signees on Wednesday.

Those were safety Jeno Junius, who signed with the FCS Western Carolina Catamounts, and offensive linemen Elvin Harris (Campbell) and Giovani Marks (Warner University).

Emma Gulaskey also signed to play women’s volleyball at D-III Endicott College.

Western’s Collin Hurst finds opportunity

As recently as two months ago, Hurst was uncertain if there would be a scholarship offer waiting for him, with concerns about his size (he’s only 5-10 and 160 pounds) and the fact that he was recovering from a left knee injury sustained late in the season that required surgery, leaving some potential suitors hesitant.

But all Hurst needed was one school to take a chance on him and he found it.

On Wednesday, the three-star quarterback signed with the FCS Presbyterian Blue House at Western High School in Davie.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” said Hurst, who took his official visit to Presbyterian in January. “Obviously got a little emotional just because it’s been a rough two months after the injury and everything. It’s been rough, but I’m excited to get back to work.”

And so the next chapter begins for Hurst, who was dominant all four seasons he played at Western. He took over the starting job three weeks into his freshman season, coming in off the bench against University School and never looking back. Hurst finished his high school career having completed 65 percent of his passes for 8,425 yards and 82 touchdowns with 18 interceptions. He was a three-time member of the Miami Herald’s All-Broward first-team and was the Herald’s Class 8A-6A Offensive Player of the Year as a junior.

“I love all my players and I’m very happy for all of the young men who signed today,” Western coach Adam Ratkevich said, “but I’ve got a special place in my heart for Collin Hurst. ... The recruiting process was a little more of a struggle than it should have been.”

MORE SIGNINGS

Broward County - American Heritage: Aiden Arias (NC State - PWO), Joey Colosi (NAIA St. Thomas University), Jerry Dinkins Jr. (D-II PennWest Edinboro), Reggie Foster (Utah State), Corey Goldsby (FCS Stetson), Victor King (Air Force), Hunter Roberts (Oregon - PWO), Jamarcus Smith (FCS Illinois State), Brian Cordero (D-III University of Chicago - baseball), Spencer Butt (Florida State - baseball), Daniel Gregory (Dayton - baseball), Justin Payan (D-II Erskine College - baseball), Frank Pena (NAIA St. Thomas University - baseball), Kyle Rostock (D-II Barry University - baseball), Mateo Serna (Memphis - baseball), Hernando Aridla (D-III Massachusetts Institute of Technology - men’s soccer), Juan Betancor Lopez (D-III Clark University - men’s soccer), Andres Morral Rosales (D-III Clark University - men’s soccer), Xavier Simpson (D-II Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - men’s soccer), Nyema Freeman (Miami - women’s soccer), Dori Johnson (Grambling State - women’s soccer), Emily Legette (Virginia Tech - softball), Natalie Block (Harvard - women’s tennis), Anders Kirkeide (D-II Rollins College - men’s lacrosse), Andrew Klis (Dartmouth - men’s lacrosse), Alexander Wisdom (D-III Penn State Erie, The Behrend College - wrestling), Carly Stasio (Baylor - equestrian); Avant Garde Academy: Romello Flowers (Bowling Green), Calvary Christian: Cooper Aurilia (FCS Stetson); Cypress Bay: Gustavo Bravo (FCS Bryant - PWO); Ormoni Marshall (UCF - PWO); Matthew Prigmore (UCF - PWO); Manuel Reyes (NAIA Keiser University).

Miami-Dade County - Carol City: Jaheim Guillaume (FCS Bethune-Cookman); Columbus: Ja’Juan Bradshaw (D-II West Virginia State University), Manny Fraga (NAIA St. Thomas University), Miles McGee (Stanford - PWO), Jake Rodriguez (NAIA St. Thomas University); Dr. Krop: Elijah Brown (D-II Edward Waters University), Nicholas Garcia (D-II Savannah State University), Julius Pascal (D-II Valdosta State University), Guyteau Salvador (D-II Fort Hays State University); Homestead: Trimaine Brown Jr. (Bowling Green), David Jester (Akron), Marcus Woodley (Western Michigan).

This story was originally published February 1, 2023 at 4:55 PM.