Where Canes stand with 2022 football recruiting class. Updates on commitments and targets
The hope for the Miami Hurricanes — beyond trying to win the Coastal division of the Atlantic Coast Conference — is winning enough games to convince several high-end recruits to stay committed to Miami and lure at least a half dozen other top prospects in the 2022 class.
UM has nine commitments and might end up with a 2022 class of only 15 to 18.
Rivals’ Adam Gorney sized up UM’s 2022 recruiting this way:
“Miami’s class is nothing to write home about yet as the Hurricanes are ranked eighth in the ACC between Duke and NC State and No. 43 nationally between Illinois and Maryland. But they are loading up at defensive back, and it could get even better if a five-star decides to join the class.
“Miami already has commitments from four-stars Khamauri Rogers [who Ole Miss really wanted], Trequon Fegans [who piqued Alabama’s interest this summer] and Chris Graves, an in-state four-star who has nearly 30 offers along with high three-star safety Markeith Williams out of Orlando Evans.
“The big fish is still Jacksonville Robert E. Lee’s Jaheim Singletary, who is serious about the Hurricanes along with Florida, Georgia and others. He was off the market because of an Ohio State commitment, but Singletary has backed off that pledge and Miami has a real shot at landing him to further bolster an outstanding DB class.”
Where things stand nearly halfway through the season:
UM’S NONBINDING CLASS OF 2022 COMMITMENTS
▪ Four-star cornerback Chris Graves: He’s playing offense and defense for his Fort Myers high school. And despite missing three games because of COVID, he has filled the boxscore with a sack, interception return for a touchdown, a blocked kick and a forced fumble.
He seems very solid in his commitment — “I plan to be at Miami,” he told Canesport after the second game of the season. But he hasn’t ruled out taking other visits.
▪ Four-star cornerback Khamauri Rogers: He’s out for the season with a knee injury. Rogers returned an interception for a touchdown and caught two touchdowns in two games for his Mississippi-based high school before the ACL injury, which required surgery.
▪ Four-star receiver Isaiah Horton: The Tennessee-based recruit has just nine catches for 77 targets, a byproduct of limited targets in his offense. He’s also playing defense.
▪ Four-star defensive back Trequon Fegans: He already has returned one interception for a touchdown for his Alabama high school.
▪ Three-star quarterback Jacurri Brown: A solid commitment. During the first five games of his 10-game schedule for Valdosta (Georgia) Lowndes High, he completed 57 of 104 passes for 726 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for four touchdowns and averaged 5.3 per carry on 79 carries.
▪ Three-star offensive lineman Falentha Carswell: The 6-7, 275-pound Georgia-based lineman hasn’t decided whether to take other visits; he told Canesport that Oregon, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia Tech and Michigan are among his suitors. He seems like a pretty solid commitment but not ironclad.
▪ Three-star linebacker Justin Medlock: The Texas-based prospect has 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. He told Canesport’s Matt Shodell that he’s ignoring texts from other schools that are pursuing him and remains solid to Miami.
“I see it on my timeline, it doesn’t bother me,” Medlock said of the negativity. “I get it, they want us to win so bad. They have a passionate fan base. Very soon we’ll be winning championships, hopefully.”
▪ Three-star safety Markieth Williams: The Orlando-based prospect has at least six pass breakups, multiple tackles for loss and two long kickoff returns this season. He’s considered a solid Canes commitment.
▪ Three-star receiver Landon Ibieta: The Louisiana-based recruit had 145 yards of receptions in his first three games. He’s considered a solid commitment.
One key caveat when I mention some of the above players as solid commitments: That could change if there’s a coaching change, which is certainly possible by the end of 2022 if UM doesn’t start winning more.
AMONG TOP 2022 TARGETS WHO ARE NOT COMMITTED
▪ Five-star Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace defensive end Shemar Stewart: He has visited UM several times unofficially and he’s a high priority for UM, perhaps the highest priority among remaining uncommitted 2022 players.
He visited Georgia this past weekend and also wants to visit Texas A&M and Ohio State.
▪ Four-star linebacker Miami Central linebacker Wesley Bissainthe: He has visited UM’s campus (or attended games) multiple times. But FSU, West Virginia, Florida and Penn State are also in the mix. He wants to visit all five of those schools officially.
▪ Sanford Seminole twins/defensive backs Ja’Cari and Demari Henderson: Illinois and UCF are top competition for the three-star cornerbacks.
▪ Bradenton (IMG Academy) tight end Jaleel Skinner, who was expected to attend the Canes-Virginia game. The nation’s top tight end prospect (per 247 Sports) will announce his choice on Friday among Miami, Alabama, Clemson, FSU and Texas.
▪ Fort Lauderdale Dillard four-star defensive end Nyjalik Kelly. He has visited Oregon, LSU, Indiana and FSU and attended a couple of UM games. Georgia also interests him, per 247 Sports. Rivals ranks him the 92nd-best prospect in this class.
There are a bunch of other potential targets - including Homestead defensive linemen Dante Anderson and Daniel Lyons — but these are just a half dozen who have been pursued consistently by UM.
