New Miami coach Mark Richt is certainly having fun closing out this Hurricanes recruiting class.
Since being hired at his alma mater in early December, Richt and company have done some big things on the trail, starting with verbal commitments from four-stars in defensive end Patrick Bethel and outside linebacker Zach McCloud.
Earlier this month, Richt landed a verbal from U.S. Army All-American cornerback Malek Young. A huge position of need, Young and fellow U.S. Army All-American in Top247 recruit Tyler Byrd have opportunities to play early, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Byrd earn a starting role quickly.
Monday night was a good one for the Hurricanes, too. A long-time verbal pledge in Top247 receiver Sam Bruce announced he’d be sticking with his commitment despite considering Ohio State and South Carolina, among others, late in the process.
Bruce and Byrd are the jewels of a small but talented class that ranks No. 19 nationally and No. 3 in the ACC, according to 247Sports. Nine of the Hurricanes' 15 commits hold four-star status within the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
Richt, however, isn’t the only new coach recruiting well.
Georgia has maintained a top-10 recruiting class under new hire Kirby Smart. UGA checks in at No. 9 after adding another piece this week in offensive tackle Solomon Kindley out of Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines. Like Miami, the Bulldogs have a small but uber-talented 15-player class, led by five-star quarterback Jacob Eason, who Smart worked hard to keep in the fold. Five-star tight end Isaac Nauta recently announced for Georgia at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
The run to signing day has a chance to be as much fun in Athens, Georgia, as anywhere else in the country. Five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown is fresh off his official to Georgia this past weekend and strongly considering staying home for school. Five-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. is another recruit who Smart and company are working hard to keep in state. Five-star receiver Demetris Robertson is yet another player Georgia is trying to close, and nobody has been recruiting five-star linebacker Lyndell Wilson longer than Smart, who made him a priority two years ago at Alabama.
Top247 recruits in safety Nigel Warrior, offensive tackle E.J. Price and defensive end Brian Burns are three more high-profile targets giving a strong look to Georgia with just over a week till National Signing Day.
Will Muschamp and his experienced staff of recruiters at South Carolina have gotten off to a fast start. Long-time quarterback commit Brandon McIlwain flirted with Penn State at the end but chose to stick with the Gamecocks and enroll early. U.S. Army All-American receiver Bryan Edwards did the same with Clemson before signing early with South Carolina.
Thirteen members of South Carolina’s 23-player class joined the fold after Muschamp was brought in. That list includes the nation’s No. 1 ranked JUCO cornerback Jamarcus King and four-star offensive lineman Javon Kinlaw. The Gamecocks' class ranks No. 31 nationally according to 247Sports.
Iowa State has had a lot of fun recruiting since Matt Campbell and his young staff took over in late November. Of their 22 commits, Campbell and company went out and secured 17 of them. With those verbals, it’s apparent the new regime is targeting size and length as they look to quickly upgrade the Cyclones roster.
Central Florida’s class is another small one. There are just 12 in the boat, but 11 of those verbals came after Scott Frost was hired at the start of December.
In other news ...
• The battle for No. 1 continues with LSU currently leading the way.
• Ole Miss passed Florida and Florida State on Monday with a pair of four-star commitments from speedy receiver Tre Nixon and offensive tackle Royce Newman. The Rebels' class is led by three five-star commitments, and like SEC counterparts in LSU, Alabama and Georgia, Hugh Freeze and his staff are in on several more touted recruits giving them a shot to finish No. 1.
• The Seminoles sit at No. 5 after landing commitments this week in a pair of under-the-radar intriguing athlete recruits in Clifford Chattman and Gabe Nabers. FSU’s finish could include more high-profile guys in sought-after recruits like Burns, cornerback Carlos Becker, offensive tackle Landon Dickerson, linebacker Dontavious Jackson and receiver Keith Gavin.
