RCS Miami: Five programs that should be excited about the future
MIAMI -- Over the weekend there was plenty of buzz coming out of the Rivals 3-Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas stop in Miami. But which teams should be the most excited, based on performances and comments during media availability at the event? We break down the five schools whose fans should be feeling good about how things played out in South Florida.
1. MIAMI
There was buzz about various teams at Sunday’s event, but the Miami chatter was at a different level. Everything is coming up UM in South Florida these days, as nearly every top prospect at the camp mentioned the Hurricanes. Former Florida commit John Dunmore is high on UM, and most of his peers at the camp predicted that he would eventually sign with Miami. Mark-Antony Richards, who took home running back MVP honors, has a brother at the school and massive tailback Kenny McIntosh also has those kinds of ties to the program. Listing all the players from the event that seemed interested in the hometown school would send this file over the word limit, but it’s safe to say that the top-five class Mark Richt signed last week was no fluke.
2. TENNESSEE
Tennessee defensive back commit Te’Cory Couch had a solid showing at the event and a few uncommitted prospects expressed interest in the Vols’ new coaching staff. Tennessee may not lead for many of the elite prospects in the state just yet, but it’s clear that there’s an interest in the program’s new regime. Four-star prospects like John Dunmore and Florida State commit Michael Morris both expressed interest in the Vols. Couch could act as the cornerstone of this class should Tennessee keep him in the fold, and he is the kind of player who could attract more Florida-based talent.
3. FLORIDA
The Gators had several former commits in attendance, which might seem like it wouldn’t help them land on this list, but several prospects had good things to say about the in-state school during media availability. Of the prospects surveyed, several floated the possibility that wide receiver MVP and one-time Gators commit John Dunmore would end up back in the fold with Florida. The Gators were also on the mind of several of the elite younger players in attendance, with 2020 offensive lineman Issiah Walker and 2020 wide receiver Aydin Henningham both having glowing things to say about the school. It will be interesting to see how much the Gators can push into South Florida in this class, but it’s clear that in 2020 and beyond the school is already on the mind of several top prospects.
4. KENTUCKY
Some might think it’s odd that the Wildcats are a team with a lot of buzz coming out of a camp in Miami, but it just shows how much of an impression the 'Cats have made in South Florida. When asked about one of his biggest impressions of this year’s Signing Day, Rivals100 prospect John Dunmore said it was just how many players Kentucky was able to sign out of Florida and South Florida in particular. The Wildcats signed eight players from Florida in their 2018 class, with seven of them coming from South Florida. Those efforts are continuing again in 2019, with players like three-star offensive lineman Jamari Williams saying he’s already sure that Kentucky will get one of his official visits in the coming months.
5. FLORIDA STATE
There was plenty of Florida State talk buzzing around the Miami-based event, as commits Michael Morris and Quashon Fuller both attended but did not work out because of injury. Cornerback commit Akeem Dent worked out at wide receiver but showcased enough athleticism and talent to get himself invited to the Rivasl100 Five-Star Challenge presented by adidas. He’ll play his natural position at when he arrives at the national event, but the athleticism he showed off while playing out of position on Sunday was impressive. Uncommitted players didn’t mention FSU as much as they did some other programs, but having three commits in attendance created an increased level of conversation about Willie Taggart and the new Seminoles staff.
