Special Feature - Recruiting Blitz by Pete Ariz

Throughout my short time as a blogger, I've gotten to work with and meet some really great people. You've read work from some in the past, and will read some more now.

Here is a look at the top college recruits in the Miramar-South Plantation game by ace recruiting insider Pete Ariz:

South Plantation

Alex Collins looks for room against Coral Springs

RB Alex Collins: The longtime Miami pledge de-committed from the ‘Canes last week, as most had expected him to do for a while. Collins has a special combination of size/speed that would have led to a nice pairing with Duke Johnson at Miami. While Collins is still saying that he is considering Miami, I would be stunned not to see him choose Florida State in the coming weeks (look for a decision after South Plantation’s season wraps up.) Wisconsin is still alive as a dark horse as well. Miami must continue to sell him on the fact that he could get a lot of touches early on, which is something that FSU probably can’t offer. Collins had been considering other schools for a while, then the ‘Noles offered his best friend John Franklin, which threw a huge twist into the equation. I’m interested to see how Collins performs against the fast Miramar defense.

John Franklin poses before a 7-on-7 tournament this summer

QB John Franklin: Franklin committed to FSU about two weeks ago, one day after the ‘Noles offered. He will be heading to Florida State with the “Athlete” tag and will most likely end up at WR, but according to Franklin he will have an opportunity to play quarterback. Florida State was the first big program to offer Franklin, which has led some to believe it was in an attempt just to help the attempt to land Collins. It will be interesting to see if Franklin winds up at FSU if Collins does not choose the ‘Noles. It should be another good matchup for Franklin tomorrow, as his athletic ability might be neutralized against the speed of the Patriots defense. He will have to rely more on his arm to make the plays.

CB Natavious Odoms: Odoms is a lesser-known player on the defensive side of the ball, but has been very productive for the Paladins this season with 5 interceptions. While Odoms does not hold any Division-1 offers at the moment, word is that Purdue has been keeping in contact with him as of late.

Miramar

Jermaine Grace communicates to a teammate during 7-on-7 this summer

LB Jermaine Grace: The athletic linebacker has long been considered a heavy Miami lean and all indications are still pointing in that direction. While Tennessee has been talked about as a possible contender for Grace’s services, here are a lot of rumors about the future of Vols Head Coach Derek Dooley’s future. At this point, I would be absolutely shocked to see Grace anywhere other than Miami. The plan is still for him to wait until signing day to make his announcement. Grace will have a pivotal role in Miramar’s efforts against Alex Collins.

Sean Avant drags St. Thomas defenders (from 2011 game)

WR Sean Avant: The senior receiver has two schools out in front, Marshall and Wake Forest. He is planning on taking visits after the season concludes. I think he would be a good fit in the Marshall offense, which has former SoFla standout Rakeem Cato at QB. The Thundering Herd like to spread it out offensively.

RB Alex Lee: The versatile and explosive running back has had a stellar season, including the game-winning touchdown against St. Thomas Aquinas earlier this season. Lee holds an offer from FAU at the moment and that could be where he winds up.

WR Khalil Webster: The 6’4” Webster currently holds offers from South Alabama and Southern, but he is still hoping to receive the coveted South Florida offer, where his brother, Kayvon, plays. 

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Pete Ariz is a freshman at FIU, and is a regular contributor to South Florida High School Sports and CanesInSight as a recruiting analyst. You can find his work at sfhighschoolsports.com, CanesInSight.co, or by following him on twitter @P_Ariz3

Ask Me Anything Volume 2, Number 2

Another week, another edition of Ask Me Anything. Without any further ado, let's get it poppin'.

Q: Who is the next star coming from Miramar to WVU? – From Logan @LQMcDonald

Miramar Sports (MS): This is tough, because recruiting is based upon the roster needs of the University more than the availability of talent. That being said, I think the main candidates are offensive players. Here's a short list for you:

1. Junior WR Kwasim West - A smooth tactician on the field, he wears #3 for Miramar just like Stedman Bailey used to. I could see him following the path of many former Miramar Stars up to Morgantown.
2. Senior OL Mike Miranda - Has the size and technique to be a productive player on the offensive line. Under the radar prospect has the interest of a few schools, but no big time offers yet. That will change, believe me.
3. Senior WR Sean Avant - I'm not going to list all the players who have chosen to go to Morgantown recently (you can find that information in my Eersnation.com feature), but Avant would be a good addition.
4. Junior RB Cameron Rigby - Big time talent in the same mold of Andrew Buie and Dustin Garrison. An elite playmaker in the open field. Would be lethal in Dana Holgorsen's Air Raid Spread Offense as both a receiver and runner.

Q: Who is likely to be the starting running back this season? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: Senior Alex Lee is going to start. That much we know. 

However, there are no less than 6 players who will all see time in the backfield this season. The coaching staff has a real challenge to find time for all these talented players, while also putting them in situations to be successful, as each player has unique talents.

Who are all 6 of these players? You'll have to wait until the game preview article on Thursday for that information.

Q: Who is going to fill the void left by Tracy Howard at Cornerback? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: Look at Nicole asking 2 questions about positions and neither one was about Wide Receiver. This is a record!

Anyway, there are 4 players who will contribute at Corner this season. 2 Seniors and 2 Sophomores. They are:

1. Senior Darren Wilcox - A shorter player a 5'9", he has very good skills and decent speed.
2. Senior Terrence Gaskin - Also 5'9", Gaskin likes to be a bit more physical than Wilcox.
3. Sophomore Jeffery Hill - ALSO 5'9", Hill led the JV team with 6 interceptions as a freshman, and has shown elite coverage abilities already. Could work his way into the starting lineup before the end of the year.
4. Sophomore Tyrek Cole - Pronounced Ty-reke, Cole stands 5'11", and has been called "the next Tracy Howard" by his coaches and teammates. Has the most potential out of this group, and could very well find himself starting before too long.

Q: Do you feel the team is physically ready for their first game? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: This summer, I dedicated myself to improving my physical fitness. To do that, I went to Xtreme Competition Fitness to train with Miramar Strength and Conditioning coach Gary Sanchez. While I was getting back in shape, I saw some Miramar players come by the gym and do the same.

When I say that I saw some amazing physical feats, I mean it. I talked with Coach G, and he had very positive comments about the overall physical progression of the players. 

"This team is MORE athletic than last year. No question" Sanchez said. "We have a lot of guys who have gotten bigger, faster, and stronger. Almost every player set a personal record in at least 6 different training activities this summer. I'm not coaching a position anymore, so all I have to worry about is the condition of these players. And trust me, they're in top physical condition."

I think that's a pretty good answer, if you ask me (which you already did).

Q: How’s the Offensive Line looking?  - From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: The O-Line is looking really good. Still have room for improvement, but the early returns are very promising. 

This group won the Lineman challenge at 2 different 7-on-7s this summer, and will look to be the foundation for an explosive offensive attack this season. Should be one of the strongest parts of our team.

Q: Last year in Ask Me Anything, you talked about players who played multiple sports. What’s that list looking like this year? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: There are a couple of multiple sport athletes on the team this year. 

Javonte Forbes was tired of college recruiters asking him what position he played, only to tell them he only played Basketball, so this season he joins the team as a Defensive End. He'll also be one of the Starting Forwards on the Basketball team as he heads into his 3rd season on Varsity.

There are a LOT of guys who also compete on the Track and Field team, including Alex Lee, Khalil Lewis, Khalil Lewis (yes, there are 2 of them), Sean Avant, Jermaine Grace, and D'Kambui Greaves.

Sanka Harris and Darius Young are members of the Wrestling team when not on the gridiron.

And there's probably more. But, suffice it to say that we have a lot of multi-talented athletes here at Miramar.

Q: What position do you think will be the strongest overall for the Football team? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: I think there are 2 positions that will be the strongest.

1. Wide Receivers - there are 13 players who will see time this season. When you run 4 and 5 wide as we are apt to do, this is an advantage. I've said that if I were the Offensive Coordinator any player who runs a deep route (post, seam, or fly) would come immediately off of the field in favor of a replacement. Having all fresh receivers on each play, and those receivers having the skill level that is present in this group, will give the offense an advantage throughout this season.
2. Running Backs - Again, 6 high level players will see the field at this position this season. The battle for playing time is fierce, and that can only happen when all the players have the talent to produce on the field. Defenses are going to HATE our running game this year. Mark my words.

Q: What are your expectations for the Football team this year? – From Scotty @Scotty_VansMan

MS: I always have high expectations. Coach Cogdell and the coaching staff have proven that they are able to produce amazing talent, and guide them to victory more often than not.

The Patriots have a 85% winning percentage in the last 3 years (starting with the 2009 State Championship season).  While "the experts" may think that Miramar will have a down season (I've heard 7-5 mentioned as a possible record), I think that reports of our death have been greatly exaggerated (shouts out to Mark Twain for that one). 

In short, I expect AT LEAST 8 wins in the regular season, and a deep run in the playoffs. Or, exactly what we've done in each of the last 5 seasons.

Q: Who has the tougher road back to the State Championship game: Miramar or Plant? – From Bo @BoPuckett

MS: This is the most interesting question I think I've ever gotten in Ask Me Anything. Let me set the stage before I answer.

Bo Puckett is the Defensive Backs coach at Tampa Plant. He started following me during the playoffs last year, and we had some...ahem...heated debates. So, to get a question from the enemy is an interesting proposition for me. I've had it before (a few Cypress Bay fans chimed in last year), but this one is kind of different.

Anyways, I think that Miramar has a slightly tougher road back to Orlando. I say that for these reasons: 

1. Plant returns more of their offensive core. Led by OL Richy Klepal and RB Wesley Bullock, the Panthers have much more returning experience on this side of the ball.
2. The Darkside defense lost 10 starters from last season. That's everybody not named Jermaine Grace. The losses of Tracy Howard, Marrell Jackson, Mark Rucker, Trevon Coley, and Willie Paisley are huge, and the team needs to find which group of players will replace all the experience that is now scattered across college campuses all over the Southeastern United States.
3. I'm going to address the pink elephant in the room: South Florida football is better than Tampa Area football OVERALL. I know, Plant won last year. So did Armwood. Well...not according to the FHSAA. But, my point is there is more of a chance that a Cypress Bay or Columbus or Southridge will pop up and have a championship level season than any Tampa area team will do the same at the 8A classification.

So, who has the tougher road back? Miramar does.

You had questions. I gave you answers.

But, those are just my thoughts.

What are yours?

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Ask Me Anything Volume 2, Number 1

After a long and relaxing summer vacation, we're back to business here at the Miramar Sports Blog. I've been active on twitter, and posted a couple articles, but now, we're cranking back up to full-time Miramar Sports news. 

And, in that vein, here's the first article of the school year: Ask Me Anything, the Miramar Sports mailbag. Here we go:

Q: Who is going to be the Starting QB? –  From Kennetha @_HeadVsHeart_

Miramar Sports (MS): As I said in the QB Competition breakdown from the spring, Nick Jeanty looks like the frontrunner for the position. Through the first week of fall practice, I still have him in the lead to be the starter. (Note: Bud Martin is no longer a Miramar Patriot. He transferred to Dillard early this summer)

Both Jeanty and Gernald Hawkins have had their ups and downs, but overall, I just like the way the offense looks better with Jeanty out there, so I’m sticking with him as my pick.

Q: Who is the breakout Patriot that nobody is talking about? – From Shawn @ShawnFace

MS: I asked this same question to Jermaine Grace, Alex Lee and Mike Miranda for the Captains Corner feature (which debuts on Tuesday). I won’t give you any of the players the captains mentioned. You’ll have to read their article for that. But, here are 3 players that have stood out to me through the first week of fall practice:

• Junior Running Back Cameron Rigby – Apart from having the best name on the team, Rigby has been an absolute terror on the field. His playmaking ability has shown itself repeatedly in both the 1-on-1’s and 7-on-7 segments of practice. He will definitely be contributing heavily on offense this year, as well as on special teams as a punt returner.
• Junior Wide Receiver Tyler Williams – Williams burst onto the scene last year with his touchdown catch against Palm Beach Gardens in the Regional Semi-Final. He has used that day as the starting point to a great summer, and wonderful first week of practice. During every practice segment you can see Williams making plays. His all-around technique is very good, and his speed makes him a challenge for the defense on every snap.
• Sophomore Cornerback Jeffery Hill – One half of the super sophomore corner combo with Tyrek Cole, Hill has consistently played solid defense in practice. He had a pick-6 on the 2^nd throw of the fall in 7-on-7, and has displayed very good technique. Obviously, being able to watch Tracy Howard hone his craft last year has helped Hill, and he looks primed to be a solid player this season.

Q: What is the biggest overall challenge for this year’s team? – From Adam @Akosnitzky

MS: Easy: youth. Having only 5 returning starters on this year’s team means that there are a lot of players who will need to step into larger roles for the Patriots to maintain the level of success that we have had over the past 5 seasons. It’s never easy when you rely heavily on sophomores and juniors, and harnessing that young talent is a challenge the coaches will have to face throughout this season.

Q: Who is the one team you wish was on the schedule this year that’s not? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: I’ll do you better. Here's my top 3 "I wish they were on the schedule" games:

1. The University School. Everybody is talking about how good they are, and I would like to see what we could do against them.
2. Miami Central. The only time we’ve played them in school history, the State Semi-Final in 2009, was an epic game. Central is loaded once again, has 2 All-American level Running Backs, and I’m sure they would relish the chance to avenge that loss. That would be a great game, and I wish it were real, instead of a fantasy in my mind.
3. Miami Booker T. Washington. Everybody says they're the best team around. I feel that Miramar is the best team around. Let's settle this on the field, and not in a message board.

Q: What game are you looking forward to OTHER THAN Bradenton Manatee, St. Thomas, and Cypress Bay? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: Outside of “the big 3” games of the year, I’m very anxious to play Everglades. I’ve heard the whispers that they have been talking noise about beating the Patriots for the first time in 6 years, and win the district as well. This neighborhood rivalry has been very heated over the last few seasons, and I don’t see that changing this year.

Q: Who is going to step up and be the all-star #1 Wide Receiver? – From Nicole @Sweetchoc85

MS: I can always count on Nicole to ask me about the Receivers.

There is no easy answer, since we have 12 players who will see time at receiver this year. During practice, the offense subs them out in groups of 4, so there is a lot of talent at this position.

The easy answer is Sean Avant. He’s the leading returning receiver, was a starter on last year’s State Runner-up team, and figures to have a big season as a senior. But, since I don’t like easy answers, I’ll look another way.

My pick for the #1 receiver this year is Junior Kwasim West. He’s tall and thin, but runs great routes, has good hands, and above average speed. He will probably see his role increase dramatically from last year, and could emerge as the top target for whoever wins the job as starting Quarterback.

Q: Do you think  West Virginia will win the Big12 in their first year in the conference? – From WVNation @WVNation

MS: I think they have a great chance to be special. The offense will obviously have to carry them, and with Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, and Ivan McCartney, that shouldn’t be a problem. The defense is one of the stronger units in the conference as well, so I think the Mountaineers have a good chance to make some noise.

You should respect every team on the schedule. That being said, to me, they have 2 big challenges on the schedule:

1. The first challenge is the back-to-back trips to Texas in October to play Texas and Texas Tech. Those are longer trips, and that travel could play a role in the team not being fully in sync at gametime.
2. The second challenge is a late season trip to Iowa State. The Cyclones are a decent team who obviously gets hype for big games. They ended Oklahoma State’s run to the BCS Championship game last year, and would love nothing more than to do the same thing to a highly ranked West Virginia team this year.

Q: Based off their performances at MHS, how would you rank the past QBs: Cam Hudge, Ryan Williams, and Geno Smith? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: Ok, here goes:

• Geno Smith – Took the Patriots from being good to great. Had a State Championship season ruined in 2007 after a questionable brawl vs Flanagan. He did things I’d never seen before from a HS player.  He was 2 time first team All-State, a Parade magazine All-American, Elite 11 MVP, took Miramar to our first State Semi-Final, and set the stage for our continued success. He has to be #1 on the list. 

Here’s a story for you:
In the middle of the 2008 season, Coach Cogdell held a 6am practice on Thursday before the Piper game. A few players were late and were suspended for the first half of the game, including Geno and Stedman Bailey. On the first play of the second half, Geno and Stedman checked to a double move (pump and go), and hooked up for a 76 yard touchdown. As soon as he threw the ball, Geno started walking off the field with his arms up in the typical “make some noise” stance. When I saw that, I knew he was a special player.

• Ryan Williams – His only season at Miramar started slowly but ended in fine fashion. Struggles vs. Monsignor Pace in the opener were repeated mid-season vs. St. Thomas Aquinas. But, apart from those 2 games, he progressed every week of the year. His performance in the playoffs was outstanding. He beat Miami Central with a 56 yard bomb to then-sophomore Malcolm Lewis, and shattered records in the State Championship game vs. DeLand. Many people say he finished the job that Geno started, but I look at his accomplishments on their own. If he had another year as a Patriot, he could have been #1 on this list. Still, 2nd behind Geno Smith isn't too shabby.
• Cam Hudge – He played on Varsity for 4 years, backing up the other 2 players on this list as a Freshman and Sophomore, respectively. Hudge saw some game action, and showed plenty of promise, including a huge arm in his 5’9” frame. Hudge added a running threat that neither Smith nor Williams had. Hudge led the team to the second State Championship game in school history, and, while that game ended in a loss, his impact over his 2 years as starter cannot be understated.

As a bonus, here's a video of that famous Williams to Lewis play from 2009. (And yes, it's called Patriot Missile. So fitting.)

Q: Favorite Miramar athletic memory BESIDES winning the 2009 6A State Championship in football? – From George @Sportsnut_

MS: Funny story: I wasn’t at the 2009 State Championship game. A close friend of mine got married that day, and I was a groomsman in his wedding. So, my connection to that day is not the same as most other Patriots’.

Anyways, my favorite Miramar Sports memory would have to be beating St. Thomas Aquinas in football last year. We’ve had some good games against them (although the final score might not indicate it), and I really felt that we had a great chance to dethrone the Raiders as the kings of Broward County. After some, ahem, QUESTIONABLE calls let St. Thomas hang around, coming through with that blocked field goal, then goal line stand to win the game, and give us the first win against St. Thomas in forever, the elation of running around the field victorious was absolutely amazing.

Since this is my article, I’ll add another one: Beating Central to get to the 2009 State Championship game. I won’t wax poetic about this one. But if you were there, you know the emotion that was in that stadium that night. Powerful stuff, man.

Q: Early prediction on where Jermaine Grace will play his college football? – From almost everybody who I’ve spoken to since last signing day

Before I answer this one, let me give you a disclaimer: The following response represents MY OWN INDIVIDUAL THOUGHTS. Now that that’s out of the way…

I think the University of Miami is the clear leader at this point. The coaches would like to see Country add more size to his frame, but I don’t think they will risk missing out on his completely. Apart from that, he lists Tennessee as a finalist, and notes that Florida State has been in heavy contact with him.

In the end, my feeling is this is Miami’s race to lose. For a bit more on Jermaine’s recruiting, check out an interview I did for CanesInSight.com last week. The link is here: http://canesinsight.com/content.php?412-Jermaine-Grace-talks-Recruiting

That's it for this edition of Ask Me Anything. Welcome back, Patriots.

Until Next Time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Signing Day Primer, Part 2: the Tracy Howard Extravaganza

And now, for the article I know you have been anxiously waiting for: the Tracy Howard Extravaganza. In this article, I’m going to look at 3 things: 

1. Tracy Howard, the Player, 
2. Tracy’s 3 finalists, 
3. Predicting his choice.
    

So, let's get to it.

Part 1: Tracy Howard, the player

Tracy Howard is a dynamic player, who has the ability to impact games in a number of areas. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Measurables

Howard is your prototypical cornerback from a physical standpoint. He is solidly built at 5’11’’ and 180 pounds. Having been in the weight room with the team for most of the summer, I saw the hours that Howard (along with friends Malcolm Lewis and Marrell Jackson) put in to add size and strength.

Howard has added about 15 pounds of muscle in the last year, while not losing any of his lateral quickness, or straight line speed. He has very good quickness, and average straight line speed. He is a little top heavy, and could stand to add some weight in his lower body.

Howard’s physicality lets him get a good jam on receivers on the line, but larger players (tight ends, bigger power backs) hold the advantage against him when it comes to holding the point of attack or moving upfield.

Run Support/Tackling

Howard is a willing and capable tackler in run support, and open field situations. He was credited with more than 50 tackles this past season, most of which came against the run. He may not be the most physically imposing hitter, but he usually succeeds in getting the ball carrier to the ground.

Howard has a tendency to tackle low, and could be susceptible to missed tackles against top level juke and hurdle moves at the next level.

Blitzing

While Howard was rarely deployed in this fashion, he seemed to have a knack for it. It’s unusual for Corners to blitz, but they will do it from time to time. With the success of players such as Tyrann Mathieu (the Honey Badger) at LSU and Pompano Beach Ely alumni Patrick Peterson with the Arizona Cardinals, Howard may see an increase in the amount of time he is asked to blitz from the edge.

Howard’s timing on blitzes could be better, and it would improve with more reps in this area. This is one of the many ways Howard can impact games, but this is not his strong suit.

Coverage

While run support and blitzing may not be Tracy Howard’s strong suit, coverage most definitely is. Howard uses immaculate technique, good strength, and great instincts to virtually eliminate whichever receiver he is covering.

Howard’s cover skills have been on display since his sophomore year, when he emerged as a starter on the eventual State Champion Patriots. Working opposite a slew of eventual FBS (Division 1 for most of you) receivers Malcolm Lewis, Ivan McCartney, Stedman Bailey, Terrance Gourdine, and Dante Chambers in practice tested Howard’s mettle, and also made him work harder to refine his technique.

In man-to-man situations, Howard uses his strength to jam receivers on the line, and redirect them from their intended routes. He rarely allows for separation, and will challenge any throw that comes his way. Howard ended the season with 10 interceptions, the vast majority of which came in man-to-man coverage situations.

In zone situations, Howard uses good instincts to read route combinations, and is always aware to keep receivers in front of him. Obviously as a cornerback, Howard is one of the last lines of defense for his team. He takes great care to ensure that receivers do not get behind him in position to exploit the scheme in place.

Tracy has great ball skills from his days as a receiver. He was so good at receiver that I openly questioned the decision to put him at cornerback when he moved up to Varsity for his sophomore year. It’s amazing how wrong I was about that one!

Regardless of the situation (man or zone), Howard has incredible instincts, and breaks on the ball in the air very well. Howard doesn’t take too many chances going for interceptions, but when he does, he is successful more often than not. Additionally, Howard has average to slightly above average speed for his position, which allows him to remain in close range of all but the fastest receivers.

For those still unsure of Howard’s prowess in coverage, I will leave you with the most telling statistic I could possibly offer: in the course of a 15 game season, depending on whose statistics you rely on, opposing offenses completed between 6 and 9 passes to receivers covered by Howard all season. Contrast that against the 10 interceptions he came away with, and Howard actually caught more passes than the receivers he was charged with covering.

It is production like that which has made Tracy Howard the number 1 cornerback prospect in the country.  

Part 2: Evaluating his 3 finalists

Starting as soon as he was eligible (the first day of school of his Junior year), Tracy Howard started getting scholarship offers from just about every school in the country. I once joked that “every school whose coach is currently breathing has offered Tracy a scholarship.” While that may have been slight exaggeration for the purposes of comedic effect, it wasn’t far off from the truth.

Tracy has received mail from more than 80 schools, and scholarship offers from more than 30, according to numerous recruiting sites. With all of that attention, it’s no wonder that it has taken him to this point, the day before Signing Day, to narrow down his many options.

And now that he has done so, let’s look at his 3 finalists, in alphabetical order:

Florida State University

The Seminoles have a long tradition of excellence at the Cornerback position. Starting with Hall of Famer Deion Sanders (aka Primetime), and also including Terrell Buckley, Bryant McFadden, and Greg Reid, the Seminoles have a long and storied tradition of excellence in the defensive secondary. They have played in 3 National Championship games in the last 15 years, and are consistently a threat to put together a Championship Worthy season. With more than 15 starters returning next season, the Noles look to maintain their momentum, and remind us all of the days when Bobby Bowden’s boys were the baddest team around.

Pros

• History of excellence at Cornerback
• Veteran team that should challenge for the ACC Championship
• Best returning team among his finalists
• Great coaching from both position coach and defensive coordinator
• Coach Stoops has molded some of the best NFL talent ever, including Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle, and others while at UM in the early part of the 2000s, and Greg Reid and Lamarcus Joyner in his time at FSU
• Dynamic defensive system that allows players to play to their strengths

Cons

• Party atmosphere in Tallahassee (which Tracy noted in an interview with Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald)
• Furthest school from South Florida
• Might only contribute sparingly as a freshman
• Seem to have fallen behind over the course of the past month

University of Florida

The Gators have had incredible success in the past 15 years. With 3 National Championships, there are few schools that can claim their level of success. UF has also been a top talent producer, having put many players into the NFL. Their history at the cornerback position is strong, but not as impressive as FSU’s. Joe Haden (Browns) is probably the best corner they have produced in the last decade (unless you want to count Janoris Jenkins, whose story is yet to be completed).

Pros

• Very advantageous depth chart
• Plays in the premier league for College Football: the SEC
• Great coaching at all levels of the team (Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Position Coach)
• Would DEFINITELY play as a freshman
• Pro style defense translates well to the next level

Cons

• Only mild success in Coach Muschamp’s first year. Could be a trend that continues
• Coaches seem to leave UF often, and that instability could affect Howard’s decision
• Only a few South Florida players on the team

University of Miami

Few schools, if any, can match the Hurricanes when it comes to putting players in the league. This past season, 26 out of 32 NFL teams had a Miami Hurricane player on their roster. While the group of Canes in the  NFL is notably missing one position (Quarterback), it is heavy on guys who starred on Defense while in Coral Gables. Ed Reed. Antrel Rolle. Kenny Phillips. Ray Lewis. DJ Williams. Jonathan Vilma. Philip Buchanan. Mike Rumph. The late Sean Taylor. All these players were first round draft picks, evidence of the tradition of excellence that the Hurricanes have established.

Pros

• Closest school to home (SunLife stadium is only 3 square miles from Miramar High School)
• Very advantageous depth chart (only 2 scholarship cornerbacks on the roster at the time this article is being written)
• Rising star in the coaching profession in Al Golden
• Lots of South Florida players on the roster, including Randy “Duke” Johnson (Norland), Deon Bush (Columbus), and Malcolm Lewis (Miramar), all of whom are close friends with Howard.
• Long tradition of Hurricanes excelling in the NFL.

Cons

• Looming sanctions for NCAA violations in the Nevin Shapiro case
• Mediocre performance in an average league since joining the ACC
• Has never appeared in ACC Championship Game
• Last season of National Prominence was 2009
• Coral Gables could be too close to home

Part 3: Signing Day Prediction

There have been many articles written about Tracy Howard and his recruitment. Here are a couple for your perusal:

• Tracy Howard giving hometown Canes a shot by Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald
• Nation's Top Cornerback talks recruiting by Derek Tyson of ESPN's GatorNation
• Tracy Howard staying in Florida by Bud Elliot of SBNation.com
• U.S. Army All-American Tracy Howard remains humble by William Wilkerson of ESPN's Recruiting Nation
• Tracy Howard leaves Twitter to Mom by Derek Tyson

In a previous article on this very blog (Ask Me Anything, #2) I said that Tracy would choose between 2 schools. I was right about that part. I was wrong about the schools he would choose from.

In that article, I said it would come down to Florida and Florida State, for a variety of reasons. I also said that there was a chance that Miami could creep up into the discussion. As it happened, Miami has entered into the discussion, and Florida State appears to have dropped out.

In my mind, Tracy's Signing Day decision comes down to 2 schools: The University of Florida and the University of Miami.

I have debated this prediction in my head for the last week. Obviously, when picking one side, the other will feel slighted. That's just part of the prediction business.

Florida has shown a lot of attention to Tracy from day 1. They sent coaches to at least 6 games and more than 10 practices this past season, for the sole purpose of trying to get Howard to Gainesville. He has been one of their top priorities, and their dedication in his recruitment shows that.

The Gators even went so far as to send 4 coaches to the 8A State Championship game for the sole purpose of recruiting Howard. The coaches sat with his mother in the stands, and were treated to a typical Tracy Howard performance: 4 tackles, 1 pass broken up, 1 interception. It was the type of performance we have seen many times over the last 3 years, and solidified to the Gators that they were chasing after the right player for their team.

Miami has taken a very different approach to recruiting Howard. They were one of the first schools to offer him, but then they seemed to play it slow, not coming to games or practices as often as other schools, like UF and FSU. It wasn't until recently, within the last month, that the Canes have turned up the heat on Howard, calling and visiting him as frequently as the rules would allow.

Adding into the recruiting process for the Hurricanes are 3 of Howard's close friends: Deon Bush, Duke Johnson, and Malcolm Lewis. All three of these players are committed to UM, and are trying their hardest to get their good friend Tracy Howard to join them.

Howard and Lewis are best friends, and can routinely be found together walking the halls of Miramar High School. Having spoken to the pair together, it is clear that Malcolm is doing his best Bobby Bowden/Nick Saban/(insert awesome recruiter here) impression to try and get Tracy to join him on campus down in Coral Gables.

With all of that being considered, I have no doubt that Tracy will be successful regardless of his chosen destination. He has a singular focus on excellence, and his work ethic is among the best that I have ever seen.

So now we come to the question at hand: where do I think Tracy Howard will sign?

My head has been saying Florida for a long time. But...there's just this feeling in my gut that UM has played this perfectly. I can't pinpoint where my gut feeling is coming from, but I've had enough conversations with people, and seen enough circumstantial evidence to go with my gut.

There's nothing left for me to do but actually say it.

Tracy Howard will be signing with the Miami Hurricanes.

Want to find out for yourself? Be sure to tune in to ESPNU's Signing Day coverage, which will be broadcasting Tracy's announcement live at 9:50AM.

So tune in and see for yourself.

The Tracy Howard Extravaganza article has come to an end. The real-life media circus is just beginning.


Until Next Time,


Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Signing Day Primer Part 1: Recruiting Overview

As Signing Day approaches, I figured this would be a good time to re-acquaint the Blog to the Patriot Nation. So, here’s a Signing Day primer to get you ready for the fully or action that is getting ready to happen on Wednesday, February 1^st.

Tell us about the recruits not named Tracy Howard

We already know that Tracy Howard will make his decision on signing day (more on this tomorrow). But, he isn’t the only recruit Miramar will be sending to the next level. Here’s a quick look at the other 24 players who will be selecting their collegiate destinations on, or after, signing day:

Malcolm Lewis – Wide Receiver: Committed to the University of Miami
Lightning fast with shifty moves in the open field, Lewis will have the ability to impact games as a freshman for the Hurricanes. Should see time in the offense, and also as a kick and punt returner.

Devonte Mathis – Wide Receiver: Committed to West Virginia University.
This physically gifted player will join former Patriots Geno Smith, Stedman Bailey, Ivan “Sticks” McCartney, and Dominick Bryan in Morgantown as the Mountaineers look to transition to the Big 12, and build on the momentum from their win in the Orange Bowl.

Brian Williams – Outside Linebacker: Committed to Georgia Southern
Tall, wiry player with a big frame (6’4’’ 210lbs) that could easily support another 20-30 pounds of muscle. A big time talent who should will definitely find himself on the field as a freshman.

Daniel and Reggie Lennon – Offensive Lineman and Wide Receiver: Committed to Florida A&M
These brothers have played on the same football team since age 7, and will continue to play together in College. Daniel (6’2”, 280lbs) is a versatile player, who figures to find a home at Guard. Reggie (6’3’’ 180lbs) is a slick technician at receiver with a knack for getting open. Through the summer and early season, coaches and players claimed to have never seen Reggie drop a pass. While he struggled with drops and fumbles through the second half of the season, he will add a playmaking ability that the Rattlers sorely need on the outside of their offense

Kevin Gonzalez – Offensive Guard: Committed to Howard University
One of the Captains of this year’s team, Gonzalez will be a valued asset to the Bison. He might challenge for playing time as a freshman, but his impact will more likely be felt 2 to 3 years in the future.

Clevonne Davis – Offensive Tackle: Committed to North Carolina Central University
Davis will take his 3 years of starting experience to North Carolina Central. His size (6’3’’ 305lbs) and technique should allow him to challenge for playing time early in his college career.

Mike Fleurinvil and Kiwan Cottle – Defensive End and Defensive Back: Committed to Northwood University
Fleurinvil is a 3 year varsity player, and a member of the 2009 6A State Champions. Cottle is a tall defender (6’1’’) with a wiry, athletic build. Both will play as freshman, probably on special teams for the Seahawks.

Willie Paisley – Defensive Tackle: Committed to Southern University
A late bloomer on the recruiting scene, Paisley will take his considerable size (6’2’’ 315lbs) and talents to the Bayou. Will most definitely play as a freshman, although it figures to be in a limited number of snaps.

Camren Hudge – Quarterback: Committed to the University of Delaware
Hudge is a 3 year varsity player, and a proven winner. While he will have the opportunity to be the next great QB in Delaware history, his time will probably have to wait for a year or 2 as he gets acclimated to the Blue Hens’ offensive system.

D’Quan Williams – Defensive Tackle: Committed to Savannah State
Talented player who emerged as a top player through the course of the season. Williams will join a talented Savannah State team, and bring some Florida flavor to the Georgia team.

D’Vontis Arnold – Running Back: Committed to Bethune Cookman
One of my favorite players since he came to Miramar as a freshman, Arnold has struggled with injuries. He missed the last 14 games of the 2009 Championship season with a high ankle sprain, and he missed all of the 2010 season with a torn left ACL. Arnold was the Thunder to Alex Lee’s Lightning in the Miramar rushing attack, and will make a lot of teams regret not offering him a scholarship when they see his production with the Wildcats next year.

Now, a quick snapshot of the undecided players:

Marrell Jackson – Free Safety
Tall safety (6’2’’) with great range. Led the State of Florida, and finished second NATIONALLY, in interceptions, collecting 12 picks on the year.

Trevon Coley – Defensive End/Ooutside Linebacker
One of the leaders of the Darkside defense, Coley has a good motor and finished with 7.5 sacks. Good technique, and a solid tackler. Will be an impact player in 2 years.

Mark Rucker – Linebacker/Fullback
Rucker (another member of the 2009 State Championship team) is quick, powerful and instinctive. He saved one of his best games for his final home game (the Regional Final vs. Palm Beach Gardens, when he finished with 13 tackles). Could contribute early in college on special teams.

Anthony Hamilton – Safety
Solid defensive player. Had a solid season after missing 3 games with an elbow injury sustained in the Northeast game. Could potentially play Cornerback at the next level as well.

Kameron Capers – Linebacker
A smart but undersized player, Capers will continue to bring a physical brand of football to his chosen college. May need a year to add weight and recover from a broken ankle he suffered in the middle of the season.

Darrell Brown – Offensive Lineman
Good player who filled in all over the line. Will be a valued asset to his chosen college.

Fary Charles – Defensive End
Charles had a couple very strong games at the end of the regular season, and into the playoffs. His play was noticed by coaches and scouts alike. Plays with great leverage he’s learned from wrestling.

Denzel Trowers and Terrence Hill – Cornerback
These 2 players rotated at the “tight” cornerback position opposite Tracy Howard. Both have good speed, and decent ball skills in coverage. While they are small (5’8’’ and 5’9’’ respectively) they are tough, scrappy players who figure to continue to provide solid coverage at the next level.

Charleston Jenkins – Wide Receiver/Tight End/H-Back
Jenkins is a physical specimen at 6’3’’ 215lbs. He offers a mismatch when running seam routes, too fast for most linebackers to run with, and too big for most defensive backs to deal with. Huge college potential.

Gerard Toussaint – Offensive Tackle
2 year player who is very raw, but with good potential. Will need some time to add weight and develop his technique before contributing at the collegiate level.

How has this recruiting season gone?

It has gone fairly smoothly. With one obvious exception that I’ll address later, most of the players have enjoyed a routine recruiting process: schools watch them, send a coach early in the season, monitor their play through the year, send the same coach back during playoffs (probably with an offer) and the player goes from there.

By my unofficial count, there have been no less than 38 schools who have visited Miramar for the 2012 recruiting cycle. Each school has been pleasantly surprised by the talent on the field, and that has led to over 20 athletes earning scholarship offers.

Overall, I believe that a few more players could have earned higher BCS level scholarships. But, if the point is to get as many student-athletes into school as possible, this has been a very productive recruiting season for the Patriots.

Who has made the biggest leap in college interest?

Easily it has been Marrell Jackson. I noticed him starting in the summer, working out in the weight room with Malcolm and Tracy. That work translated into an awesome season, which saw him lead the State in interceptions with 12. Opposing teams quickly took notice of him, and so too did recruiters. Jackson has gone from unknown to potential BCS level recruit in less than 6 months. This type of meteoric rise is uncommon, but it’s well deserved for this talented playmaker.

Who has been the most overlooked recruit?

In my opinion, I would have to say it’s a tie between Mark Rucker and Charleston Jenkins. Both players can be impact players at the FCS (formerly D-1AA level) and could find success at the FBS (Division 1) level in the future.

Rucker, the supreme technician, doesn’t miss tackles, and something that translates at any level. I find it absolutely shocking that he doesn’t have a single college scholarship offer. Dieter Kurtenbach of the Sun-Sentinel did a very nice profile of Rucker and his recruiting struggles. Read more about that HERE

Jenkins needs to work on his blocking if he’s going to stay at Tight End, but his height and athleticism make him a dangerous weapon in any offensive system.

Both players have been overlooked, and I think that a LOT of college teams are going to be kicking themselves for missing on these players.

Who is the best fit considering the school they will be attending?

I think there are 3 players who have the best fit at the next level:

1.  Malcolm Lewis – speedy receiver with good hands, he will most definitely find himself on the field early for the hometown Hurricanes.
2.  D’Vontis Arnold – a big, bruising back, Arnold is an FBS level player who will be playing at the FCS level. His talent should shine, and he figures to have an amazing season for Bethune Cookman. Could potentially have the biggest season of any Miramar senior next year.
3.  Tracy Howard – He’s kind of good. I’ll give you all the details on him in tomorrow’s article.

Which players do you think are going to be in this position come next signing day?

Miramar is in the enviable position of always having top level players, most of whom turn into highly sought after college recruits. With at least 3 players having earned FBS scholarships in the last 4 years, this trend should continue into the future.

As of today, I believe there are 4 players who are going to be the headliners of next year’s signing day:

1.  Linebacker Jermaine Grace – already mentioned as one of the top players in the class of 2013, Grace will be the unquestioned leader of the Darkside Defense next season. Has already received interest from Florida State, Louisville, and Miami, among others.
2. Running Back Alex Lee – this speedy player has good size (5’11’’ 175lbs) and figures to add weight through the offseason. His ability to score on any given play has already drawn attention from Florida State and Louisville, with many others sure to join in as he moves into the spotlight as the feature back.
3.   Center Michael Miranda – Already a seasoned veteran with 2 years of starting experience, Miranda has a bright future at either center or guard at the next level. With good showings on the summer camp circuit, he has the chance to be a high FBS level recruit.
4. Wide Receiver Sean Avant – made a huge splash in the victory over St. Thomas Aquinas, and continued to make plays all season long. Has good height, runs crisp routes, and catches everything thrown his way. Will get looks from major FBS level schools as the next Miramar Star Receiver.

Now, there will obviously be others who earn scholarships, but those are my top 4 for 2013. And, there is arguably MORE talent in the class of 2014, including Trevon Rolle, Devon Wallace, Tanares Robinson, and Kwasim West. The future for the Patriots is very bright.

And that brings us to the end of Signing Day Primer, part 1. Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Tracy Howard extravaganza.

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports