Hurricanes very much in mix for top prep quarterback. Where things stand with 2021 class
This is already a very good University of Miami 2021 recruiting class, one ranked 10th by ESPN, 11th by Rivals and 13th by 247 Sports.
But the next two weeks present an opportunity to transform this into an elite class.
Two of ESPN’s top 18 prospects — four-star quarterback Jake Garcia (rated 18th in the 2021 class) and Miami Central linebacker Terrence Lewis (10th) — are suddenly available after decommitting from Southern Cal and Tennessee, respectively.
Meanwhile, UM is one of five finalists for five-star Louisiana-based defensive tackle Maason Smith. In a sign of the subjective nature of recruiting rankings, Rivals rates Smith the nation’s No. 1 prospect, while 247 Sports rates him 18th and ESPN rates him 56th.
Per Rivals, Auburn is considered the favorite for Lewis and LSU the favorite for Smith. But UM reportedly has a chance with both.
Meanwhile, no team has a better chance of luring Garcia — who has been a Canes target for more than a year — than Miami, though he told 247’s Greg Biggins on Thursday night that he’s also considering FSU and other schools that he didn’t identify. Arkansas is believed to be a factor.
“There’s some schools I’m talking with, a few I don’t want to name but I can say Florida State and Miami are both very much in the picture,” Garcia said. “Miami never stopped recruiting me, going back to when I first committed to USC.
“Florida State has been talking to me ever since [quarterback prospect] Luke Altmyer decommitted, and I’ve known [FSU offensive coordinator Ken] Dillingham for a long time. He actually offered me at Auburn so I have a great relationship with him and there’s a lot to like about both programs.”
Here’s what Garcia told Biggins about Miami:
“I have a great relationship with [UM offensive coordinator] Rhett Lashlee as well as a lot of the recruiting class. I know all the receiver commits, and we have stayed in touch all year. The culture is totally different there and you can tell the program has turned the corner. I’ve visited a few times and like the area and feel comfortable there.
“I like the offense a lot, and I’ve been watching Miami play this season and they look very good. I love the tradition there and there’s a huge upside for that program. With or without me, they’re going to be great but I think I could be successful there and I think I would have a chance to get in and compete right away.”
Garcia is playing his senior season at Loganville Grayson High in Georgia after leaving California because COVID restrictions limited his opportunities to play there this season.
He decommitted from Southern Cal after watching the Trojans continue to pursue Class of 2021 quarterbacks even though they already had two committed.
UM doesn’t have a quarterback in its 2021 class, and Garcia has been the Canes’ focus even before Lashlee was hired in January. Rivals rates him the fifth-best pro-style quarterback in this class and the 42nd-best player overall while 247 rates him the No. 5 pro style quarterback and the 46th-best player overall.
The Canes also hold Class of 2020 quarterback Tyler Van Dyke in high regard. If D’Eriq King decides not to return in 2021, Van Dyke and N’Kosi Perry would compete for the starting job.
As for Lewis, though he decommitted from Tennessee, he said the Volunteers remain atop his list. But Miami has been texting him in recent days.
“Lewis has had some off-field issues that held some teams back from recruiting him, but it’s clear that Miami, Auburn and Florida are showing legit interest and trying to land him so he has more options now, especially to stay closer to home, and he will take one of those,” Rivals’ Mike Farrell said.
LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn are still in the mix.
Meanwhile, here’s what Smith said about UM.
The Hurricanes already have an elite defensive tackle commitment in Leonard Taylor, and a Smith/Taylor combo could be the type of talented duo that we saw on the championship contending Canes teams. ESPN rates Taylor the sixth-best player in the 2021 class.
Also, UM remains in pursuit of cornerbacks Markevious Brown (ESPN’s No. 231 recruit) and four-star Damarius McGhee.
Brown, from Pahokee, has UM among his five finalists. McGhee, from Pensacola, named UM as one of his five finalists on Friday (with LSU, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Mississippi).
ESPN’s Craig Haubert assesses UM’s class this way:
“Following a disappointing 2019 season, Manny Diaz has the Hurricanes positioned for a top-10 class. Keeping ESPN 300 S/OLB James Williams home over Georgia was a huge win, as was beating out Florida for local five-star DT Leonard Taylor. ESPN 300 OG/C Laurence Seymore was dominant at Under Armour Camp Miami. Four-star RB/WR Brashard Smith, a one-time Florida Gators verbal commit, is an ideal playmaker with versatility for new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Getting ESPN 300 WR Jacolby George back in the fold was big, as was keeping ESPN 300 WR Romello Brinson home. ESPN 300 four-star TE Elijah Arroyo comes from Texas and is the only four-star commit currently from out of state. Within the front seven, three-star DT Allan Haye possesses quickness and power; ESPN 300 DE Jabari Ishmael will bring edge rush ability from down the road at Columbus High; and four-star OLB Chase Smith, out of Palm Bay, has a coach’s dream frame to develop.”
The Canes can take 25 high school players or transfers this year and have five spots left. The early signing period begins Dec. 16.
This story was originally published December 4, 2020 at 11:35 AM.
