Miami Offensive Recruiting News From Under Armour
Article photo of Miami Central's Lawayne McCoy; photo credit to Brian Smith.
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- Many of the top 2024 recruits that Mario Cristobal and newly hired coaches like offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and wide receiver Kevin Beard covet actually reside in Florida.
As an introductory note, wide receiver recruits Jeremiah Smith, Chance Robinson and Joshisa Trader all admitted that coach Beard had immediately contacted them after he was hired by Cristobal. Miami will be after each of the top receivers through National Signing Day.
While none of those three worked out, Sunday’s Orlando Under Armour combine saw many other offensive stalwarts compete in drills and one-on-ones.
The following represents a rundown of top class of 2024 Miami prospects and where they stand with The U.
Chauncey Bowens, RB, Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School
Although committed to Florida, it appears that the Gators will have still competition to keep Bowens from signing elsewhere. Georgia, Alabama and Ohio State have all been after him, among others.
With Tim Harris, Jr. now at Miami, perhaps the Canes can make a run. As of now, however, it's a good bet that Bowens ends up out of state.
Stacy Gage, RB, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Gage has been coveted by many schools around the country. Oklahoma has been the favorite, depending upon the source. Ohio State, Florida and Southern Cal are three other programs the STA running back has expressed serious interest in. Gage is still interested in the Canes as well, and now lives right down the road from Coral Gables, too.
Coach Harris will definitely be among the coaches keeping a close eye on Gage.
AJ Hairston, QB, Coconut Creek (Fla.) Monarch
The Hurricanes were the Power 5 first school to offer Hairston. After watching him go through several different drills on Sunday, it’s shocking that more teams have not also offered. He possessed the size and arm strength teams need, and he’s still growing into his frame.
Here's what Hairston said about Miami and coach Dawson, "I think the new coaching additions at Miami are good. Coach Dawson with his air raid offense helps because where I’m at with Monarch, we have an air raid-type offense also."
Now that Dawson has taken over Miami’s offense, the next couple of months will be interesting with quarterback recruiting. Will Miami take two signal callers? Will they zero in on just a couple of quarterbacks?
There may not be a definitive way to answer that right now. Then again, Dawson probably needs to see his current scholarship quarterbacks compete all the way through spring ball before deciding on one or two high school quarterback signees for the class of 2024.
CLOSER LOOK: 2024 Miami Defensive Prospects
Jason Zandamela, OL, Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International
Miami is in the mix among several programs for the Zimbabwe native, and could get another visit from the Under Armour All-American sooner rather than later.
Zandamela is close to former CAI star Akheem Mesidor, of course one of Miami's top overall players on the current roster. Plus, the element of Mario Cristobal being 'an offensive line guy' as the head coach isn't hurting the Hurricane cause here either.
Still, Florida State, Oklahoma, USC and others have become quite the competition for the in-stater, whose stock is on the rise after dominating Sunday's event.
A preseason decision is likely, so UM will need to try to secure an official visit this summer.
Lawayne McCoy, WR, Miami (Fla.) Central
If there was one offensive prospect that made it clear Miami was coming after him hard, it was McCoy. Beard and other members of Miami’s staff have put in the work, according to McCoy.
After seeing him run and catch passes during one-on-one drills, it’s not surprising Miami covets his signature.
Chris Wheatley-Humphrey, RB, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard
This is one of the most highly regarded running backs in South Florida. Sunday helped to showcase that point with his overall ability to make plays in the passing game. In short, Wheatley-Humphrey did nothing but help himself as it relates to being courted by Miami.
His offer list exploded since January, and there's no reason to believe that will change moving forward. As for Miami, he's one of a handful of elite talents in Broward County that Cristobal and his staff will continue to prioritize.
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