Miami’s disappointing season has resulted in a number of high-profile decommitments and a recruiting class that still has holes to fill before National Signing Day in February.
Miami began the year ranked inside the top 10 but a loss to LSU in the season opener followed by four consecutive ACC losses in the second half of the year left Mark Richt with a 7-5 record and a big mess on the recruiting trail.
There was some momentum on the recruiting trail after last year’s successful season under Richt when he had the No. 8 recruiting class, but this year was another reminder of how far they still have to go to return to the elite teams of the past.
The hope is this year’s recruits would be able to lift the team to the next phase of Richt’s rebuild and help compete for ACC Championships. But after a slew of decommitments, Richt has to do damage control between now and National Signing Day on Feb. 7.
Among the decommitments are five-star cornerback and Florida State signee, Akeem Dent, four-star defensive end Derick Hunter and four-star offensive tackle Michael Tarqin.
All hope is not lost, however, as Miami has the No. 4 recruiting class in the ACC, which is not where they need to be, but there are some impact performers who will help Miami moving forward.
The top recruit is four-star receiver Jeremiah Payton who is the nation’s No. 69 overall recruit, No. 11 receiver and the No. 9 recruit in Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He projects to be the next great Miami receiver.
Miami’s recruiting class to this point has been focused on the defense with some four-star safeties, linebackers and linemen but work remains to be done to attract more offensive players. Depending on how many they sign this year, more receivers, running backs, lineman and perhaps a late add at quarterback could be in the works between now and February.
Miami might have to hope to flip a recruit or two for that to happen as the best are already locked in or well down the road with other schools.
2019 Miami early signing day recruiting class
While the 2019 class might leave a lot of Miami fans unsatisfied, the Canes are already putting together a really nice class for next year. Miami owns the No. 2 class in the nation for the 2020 class, per 247Sports, so as long as Miami can rebound on the field next year, they should be able to keep that class together and offer some hope for brighter days ahead for The U.