2/20/2018 football Edit

Pierre's bond with Miami coaches is strong

Chad Simmons • Rivals.com

Recruiting Analyst

Chad Simmons is a Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com. He was the expert on The Next Class on Fox Sports South from 2011-2015. He currently covers Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Jesiah Pierre loves the University of Miami. The 2019 linebacker out of Mount Dora committed to the Hurricanes about a month after he finished his freshman year. Despite the early commitment, other schools are still recruiting Pierre, including Florida, a school close to home that offered him last month.

Pierre still has his eyes and ears open, but he looks like he will be a tough one to flip.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: "They started really recruiting me during track season of my freshman year, then I went over there to hang out, and after bonding with the coaches, I committing to Miami," said Pierre. "We have built on that bond since then.

"I am closest with coach Banda right now, but I am really starting to get coach with coach Diaz. They are both great guys and things are going well. With coach Diaz being my future position coach, we are working to get where me and coach Banda are. I know coach Banda's family and we are very close.

"Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky and a few other schools are still coming after me. Florida offered me not that long ago, so I am still looking around to make sure about things, but my bond with Miami is what keeps me with them. I do not have that with anyone else right now.

"I really respect the way coach Mark Richt carries himself and he is a great coach with a great staff, so I like that. Miami has been with me since day one, so that means a lot. I like what coach Richt is doing with the program. I was at the Notre Dame game last season and I loved it.

"My commitment to Miami is very strong, but it is smart to always look at other schools in case something happens. I do not have any other visits set up, but I may visit Florida for a spring practice since they are close to home. The bond I have with the Miami coaches so strong, so I still see myself as a strong commit to them."

RIVALS REACTION: Pierre said all the right things. He came across like he was strong and loyal to Miami, but at the same time, he is still exploring his options. The Hurricane staff has done an excellent job recruiting him and making him feel at home, so he will be a tough one for other schools to flip. The new staff at Florida came in with a January offer and Pierre said they are working to build a relationship, so with Gainesville being less than two hours from Pierre's home, they could be the school to watch if you are a Miami fan.