UM shows interest in under-the-radar local talent

When a college football team fills in most of its recruiting class early in the cycle, it can generally focus on blue-chip prospects the rest of the way to round out the class.

So is the situation UM is in with 22 commitments in its 2016 class and National Signing Day still five months away, but while not to say that isn’t the approach the Hurricanes are taking, they are certainly still digging for local talent that is flying under the radar.

Westminster Christian tight end John Raine, Booker T. Washington wide receiver Raymond Flanders, Boyd Anderson linebacker Ricky Lewis and quarterback Shabazz Telfort have all informed the Miami Herald they have received interest from the Canes recently.

Raine is the most highly recruited of the quartet. A Florida Atlantic oral commitment, the 6-3, 235-pound senior lists 18 scholarship offers but not many from the Power Five football conferences.

“They’re saying to be patient with them,” said Raine, listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals and in the 247 Sports composite rankings but a three-star on 247 Sports’ rankings.

Flanders didn’t receive his first offer until Saturday after a seven-catch, 200-yard performance against Pace on Friday. It came from Cincinnati, and he has also said UF is talking to him. The senior receiver is currently unrated by major recruiting services.

Also unrated are Lewis and Telfort — Lewis a 6-2, 210-pound senior who won the “most improved linebacker” award at one of the Al Golden football camps in June, and Telfort a junior quarterback. FIU and FAU have each also shown interest in the two Cobras.

▪ Although FAU hosting UM in the home opener for the Owls would have had tremendous recruiting potential for the program in Boca Raton, the game’s impact will be curtailed for one major reason — it is on a Friday night, when most high school games take place.

Mostly all high school football games take place on Fridays. Recruits, unless their team is on a bye or playing on Thursday or Saturday, will be busy playing in games of their own.

Raine will attend the UM-FAU game along with Westminster teammate in linebacker and Colorado State commit James Sutton with their game against International School of Broward on Saturday afternoon.

When UM hosted FAU in its home opener two seasons ago in the first installment of this home-and-home series, it was similarly on a Friday night. The Owls, however, have so much more to gain than the Canes with a chance to show prospects a rabid atmosphere at a home game in which a five-time national champion is coming to them.

A competitive game would work wonders for FAU regardless, but not the way it would if more recruits were able to see it in person.

Russell Quinoa and Mark Singer contributed to this report.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 7:20 PM with the headline "UM shows interest in under-the-radar local talent."