Before I start, CaneSport has a great piece on how the coaches go about their recruiting. Clint Hurtt is a tireless worker and it's a great insight onto how things work at Miami. If you have read Meat Market by Bruce Feldman, it reminds you a lot of the Ed Orgeron process (and Ed used to coach at UM before the liquor got to him) -- they try to outwork every0ne. Calls every day, handwritten letters, the whole deal. Great stuff by Gary Ferman as always.
Watched VTech play tonight against Maryland. Their RB looked great, ran for over 2 bills. Maryland's run D is pretty garbage, and they got their lunch eaten up front by VT's offensive line. Miami has the 1st ranked run defense in the ACC, and if Tyrod Taylor isn't playing, I would bet the VT RB gets about 70 yards next week. Bill Young has been doing a great job of making his blitzes effective not only against the pass but getting interior pressure and forcing the potential RB outside. It's why you see Cook make so many tackles just off tackle.
Defensively, they are stout as always as Bud Foster is probably the best defensive coordinator in the country. The guy just knows how to use his personnel to their best ability. I anticipate many blitzes trying to rattle our freshman quarterbacks. Nix's screens and draws could be huge if he calls them at the right time.
I will write a full preview next Tuesday or so, but our WR's are going to have to be on their game for us to muster any kind of offense. I am talking taking the button hooks and outs for 15, 20, 25 yards instead of 4 or 5. This will loosen up coverage and make them put some LBs and safeties into the flat, and opening up our running game as a result.
We will have no success running on first down early. VT just doesn't allow early success running the football. They make you prove your QB can beat them before they call off the dogs somewhat. Early passing, like usual, will be a monster key.
Now, some recruiting updates.
* DB Brandon McGee, a Cane commit, was invited and accepted a bid to play in the Army All-American Bowl. This is still the best all-star game in the nation and let's hope that McGee gets in some ears and turns some kids orange and green. Congratulations, Brandon.
* DT/TE Sheldon Richardson of Missouri will visit Minnesota this weekend. Miami still is very much in the picture for Sheldon, but it's no longer a 2-team race with Mizzou and UM anymore. I am told his interest is genuine and Minny will be putting out the full court press on him.
* DE Olivier Vernon, soft Cane commit will visit FSU for the 2nd time this weekend. He has most Cane insiders worried and it wouldn't be surprising to see him jump ship. However, Randy Shannon is a powerful recruiter and if he leaves without committing, I expect him to be a Cane.
* OL Malcolm Bunche, a Rutgers commit, still says he is a Rutgers commit despite reports saying he decommitted. It is believed that he is in Miami's corner and will end up a Hurricane. He will visit Miami and probably commit shortly thereafter. Rutgers shitting the bed this year has really hurt their chances with him.
* Gotten a request asking me what the biggest recruiting priorities are for the rest of the year, and it's easily offensive lineman. Cane coaches are expecting to add 3-4 more lineman to the class, with targets such as Xavier Nixon and Bunche still very much in the picture.
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