Prep QB makes his pick

Miami added some further help at the quarterback spot from Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy in the form of 5-foot-11, 200-pound quarterback Cannon Smith. The three-star prospect selected the Hurricanes over offers from Ole Miss, Hawaii, Memphis, Tulane and others.

"I committed to Miami last night," he said. "I got to talk to Coach Shannon and told him I had some good news.

"I said that I was going to choose to continue my career at Miami. He was very excited and upbeat about my decision and how I'll be enrolling in January."

Smith had developed a relationship with the coaching staff in recent months.

"I felt real comfortable with coach Shannon and the rest of the staff. I built a relationship with them by phone," he said. "On the visit, I loved it there. I could see myself getting along great with the people. The team is full of good players who are good guys and of course the staff and opportunity too.

"It was just the whole package. I didn't make this decision overnight. I sat down with my family and looked at all the places and felt like this was the best decision."

Smith will immediately battle for playing time next semester when he makes his way to South Beach.

"I'll be right in the mix for spring ball, fighting for the starting job," he said. "I've got four years and I'm just looking forward to getting down there.

"I feel good about my decision and Miami speaks for itself. They've got a good coaching staff and will be making some noise very soon."

Hargrave Military Academy head coach Robert Prunty discussed the type of player the Hurricanes will be getting.

"They are getting a guy with an exceptional arm, who is very intelligent and very mature," he said. "He's played against some good competition on our season and some of the top athletes in the country here, day in and day out.

"He's a down-to-earth guy, on and off the field and the one thing I can really say, he's a team guy. He understands the team concept and working together."