Canes go after Minnesota lineman

If you needed proof that the state of Minnesota recruiting Class of 2005 has some prospects worthy of national attention this spring, proof arrived again late last week for St Paul, Minn. Cretin-Derham offensive line prospect Rafael Eubanks (6-foot-3, 290 pounds). Eubanks has received an offer from the University of Miami (Fla.), and Eubanks talked about how his latest offer came about.

“I received a scholarship offer from the University of Miami late last week," Rafael Eubanks said. “I've been dying to tell everyone about this offer, but I just wanted to make sure that everything was in order first. I called and talked to Coach (Art) Kehoe on Tuesday night and he offered me over the phone, and I've also received the scholarship paperwork in the mail."

So how did the Hurricanes become aware of Eubanks? "My offensive line coach (Andrew Bischoff) at school has a really good relationship with Coach Kehoe at Miami, and my coach had sent him my junior tape awhile back. My coach also stayed in touch with Coach Kehoe, and Coach Kehoe made an in school visit on the last Friday of the May evaluation period. I was able to say hello to Coach Kehoe. Then last Tuesday he called my coach at school and said that Miami was offering me a scholarship. I called Coach Kehoe back that night and he confirmed that they really liked my tape, and that the staff made their evaluation and decided to offer me a scholarship."

So what does Eubanks know about the Hurricanes? "Miami is Miami. They have such a great national reputation, and to be honest I never really thought that they would offer me a scholarship. I'm very excited about this offer and so is my family, and I'm just very honored to receive an offer from the Miami Hurricanes."

Eubanks, who has never visited Miami, is trying to get in an unofficial visit later this month. "My teammate (Reggie Rock) and his brother Pat are planning to camp at the University of Florida camp in late June, and I've talked about traveling with them and getting a chance to see the University of Miami up close. So I'm going to try to make an unofficial visit to Miami in late June. My coach as well as a few others players I've talked to couldn't say enough good things about the school and the program, so hopefully I'll get a chance soon to see for myself."

Rafael Eubanks has scholarship offers from Miami (Fla.), Illinois, Iowa State, Maryland, Stanford, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Arizona State, Iowa, Kansas State and Minnesota.