Here’s who’s coming to Legends Camp on Saturday, the Hurricanes’ signature offseason event
The Miami Hurricanes’ annual late-June recruiting extravaganza has a new name (Legends Camp) and a new time (morning instead of night) and a new sheriff overseeing everything (Mario Cristobal).
But in some ways, Saturday’s signature Canes recruiting event will resemble the annual Paradise Camp that highlighted the offseason during Manny Diaz’s three-year reign as UM coach.
A bevy of recruits will be in attendance, checking out the campus, speaking with coaches and participating in drills.
So will more than a dozen former Canes standout football players, a star-studded guest list expected to include Michael Irvin, Jeremy Shockey, Jon Beason, Lamar Thomas, Kenny Phillips, Lamar Miller, Bryant McKinnie and others.
Saturday’s expected recruiting guest list is impressive, featuring three five-star recruits and a bunch of other well-regarded high school prospects.
Among Class of 2023 visitors expected on Saturday, according to recruiting web sites:
▪ Massachusetts-based five-star offensive tackle Samson Okulona: UM made his final nine but isn’t considered a favorite. He previously took official visits to Alabama and Michigan State.
▪ Lakeland-based five star cornerback Cormani McClain: He told me previously that he’s considering UM — and he knows Cristobal wants him — but Alabama and UF are considered co-front-runners.
▪ Bradenton IMG Academy five-star prospect Joenel Aguero: He’s considered the nation’s No. 2 safety prospect. Georgia and Ohio State offer stiff competition.
▪ Four-star Texas based cornerback Jaylon Braxton: He’s a non-binding Michigan State commit who has taken visits to Arkansas and Baylor.
▪ Four-star Miami Edison receiver Nathaniel Joseph: He recently decommitted from Clemson and UM has a good chance to land him.
▪ Four-star Minnesota based tight end Jaxon Howard: Rivals’ No. 96 overall prospect has visited Michigan State, LSU and Minnesota; UM is his other finalist. Two of the Canes’ seven 2023 non-binding commitments are tight ends, but Miami would love to add Howard.
▪ Three-star Georgia-based guard Johnathan Cline: He previously visited Memphis, UCF and East Carolina.
▪ Four-star South Carolina-based offensive tackle Monroe Freeling: This borderline top 100 prospect has visited Notre Dame and Florida and has UM in his final seven.
▪ Four-star Orlando-based linebacker Malik Bryant: This top-30 prospect has visited Maryland and Florida and plans to announce July 23.
▪ Four-star Georgia-based guard Madden Sanker: UM is very much in the mix for this top-100 prospect, who has visited Michigan State, Louisville and Arkansas.
▪ Three-star Ocala-based offensive tackle Tommy Kinsler: He’s a UF commitment, and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t end up a Gator. But Miami is making an effort.
▪ Four-star California-based defensive end Collins Acheampong: He has visited Michigan and LSU, and the Wolverines are considered the favorite.
Four top recruits visited UM earlier this week: four-star California-based quarterback Jaden Rashada, who plans to announce Sunday from among seven finalists, including the Canes; four-star Orlando-based offensive tackle Payton Kirkland, who plans to announce July 22; four-star Bradenton IMG Academy offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa; and Melbourne-based wide receiver/defensive back Robert Stafford, who has visited Kentucky and Oregon and plans to visit Arkansas this weekend.
NEWS TO NOTE
Point guard Charlie Moore, one of the linchpins on the Canes basketball team that made the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament earlier this year, agreed on Thursday night to play for the Detroit Pistons during the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas.
He averaged 12.4 points and 4.6 assists in his one season at Miami.
This story was originally published June 24, 2022 at 11:54 AM.
