From the Ashes.

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 14:01

Expect Miami to go all in on former Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith as he enters the transfer portal
Manny Ledo -- The Miami Herald Sports Columnist

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith has officially entered the transfer portal, beginning what will be the University of Miami's third attempt at landing the former five-star.

Smith, who led Ohio State with 797 receiving yards and eleven touchdowns, played at Chaminade Madonna in Hollywood, Florida and picked Ohio State over Miami in his recruitment back in 2022. Miami made another push for Smith at Early National Signing Day in January 2023, to the point that Cam Ward reportedly was on the phone with Smith before Smith officially sent his letter of intent to Ohio State.

Miami will undoubtedly make another run at Smith as they try to replace the production from Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. Miami is returning outside receivers Sam Brown and Isaiah Horton along with another former five-star in Joshisa Trader who is entering his second year after catching eight passes last year in a limited role. Smith would be an upgrade and instantly become one of Miami's best receivers, rivaling Brown who some within the program feel has NFL potential.

Another name to watch is Mario Williams, who is from the Tampa area. Williams, a five-star receiver out of high school, has played at Oklahoma, USC and most recently Tulane. Williams would be a natural replacement for Xavier Restrepo out of the slot with perhaps even more juice than the reliable Restrepo.

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 14:24

Could former Blue Raider Nicholas Vattiato be Miami's next starting quarterback?
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports Miami Insider

Middle Tennessee State quarterback Nicholas Vattiato is expected to be in Coral Gables this weekend as the Hurricanes are currently weighing their options at quarterback and are exploring the transfer market.

Vattiato, who committed to the Blue Raiders out of high school after not receiving an offer from the Hurricanes, has been the full-time starter at Middle Tennessee for the past two seasons. The Broward native played at University School and TRU Prep Academy due to University School cancelling their 2020 season because of COVID-19. Vattiato is listed at six-foot-one and 205 pounds and would bring some FBS experience to a quarterback room that currently features a FCS transfer in Reese Poffenbarger who attempted seven passes last year, redshirt sophomore Emory Williams who started two games as a true freshman and redshirt freshman Judd Anderson who played in one game last year against Florida A&M.

Another option at quarterback in the portal is Zion Turner, a name familiar to Miami fans from his time at St. Thomas-Aquinas. Turner started some games at UConn before transferring to Jacksonville State and at this time, it's unclear if the interest is mutual as Turner is interested in returning home but the Hurricanes are currently weighing their option.

Miami's staff does feel confident in Poffenbarger, Williams and Anderson but are open to a potential upgrade at the position if the opportunity presents itself. At this moment, they are focused on the recruitment of Jeremiah Smith who the staff view as their highest priority.

2025 Miami Transfer Portal
Incoming
Nicholas Vattiato [QB #1]: 6'1", 205lbs | Plantation, FL | Middle Tennessee State | 4-star | Miami, Florida State, Georgia, Florida, UCF
Kamari Wilson [SS #1]: 6'0", 205lbs | Fort Pierce, FL | Arizona State | 4-star | Georgia, Miami, Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson
Mario Williams [WR #1]: 5'9", 178lbs | Tampa, FL | Tulane | 4-star | Miami, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Florida
Jeremiah Smith [WR #6]: 6'3", 215lbs | Miami Gardens, FL | Ohio State | 4-star | Miami, Georgia, UCF, Florida State
Hezekiah Masses [CB #3]: 6'1", 170lbs | Deerfield Beach, FL | 4-star | Florida State, Miami, Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt
Devin Moore [CB #4]: 6'3", 196lbs | Naples, FL | Florida | 4-star | Georgia, Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida State
Dontae Balfour [CB #7]: 6'2", 185lbs | Starke, FL | Charlotte | 4-star | Florida State, Clemson, Miami, USF, Alabama

Departures
Chase Smith [ILB #35]: 6'2", 210lbs | Groveland, FL | 3-star | Florida Atlantic, USF, FIU, Akron, Wake Forest

2025 Miami Recruiting Class
Walt Coffey [OLB #3]: 6'4", 256lbs | Opelika, AL | 5-star
Kevin Yeboah [DT #3]: 6'1", 288lbs | Oxford, AL | 5-star
James Fernandez [ILB #3]: 6'3", 234lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star
Rico Veasy [DT #4]: 6'1", 290lbs | Ocala, FL | 4-star
Jacques Turk [ILB #4]: 5'11", 226lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star
Paul Webb [CB #6]: 5'11", 190lbs | Montgomery, AL | 4-star
Maurice Rugamba [HB #10]: 6'0", 232lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star
Tommy Stacy [CB #9]: 6'2", 191lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star
Richard Cookus [OT #12]: 6'4", 289lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star
Elias Raines [CB #15]: 6'2", 177lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star
Miguel Escobar [WR #25]: 6'3", 191lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 4-star
Kevin Pujals [TE #11]: 6'2", 254lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star
Titus Willis [QB #29]: 6'1", 202lbs | Lilburn, GA | 4-star
Doug Bean [DE #7]: 6'3", 274lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star
Marshall Kearns [ATH #17]: 6'6", 272lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star
George Robledo [OT #6]: 6'6", 314lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star
Dan Mintze [DT #22]: 6'3", 287lbs | North Palm Beach, FL | 4-star
LaMarcus Cook [FS #16]: 5'11", 213lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 4-star
Eric Incoom [WR #61]: 5'9", 204lbs | Pompano Beach, FL | 4-star
James Rutter [K #20]: 5'11", 178lbs | Tarpon Springs, FL | 3-star | Georgia Southern, USF, Miami
LS Adrian Meekins: 6'3", 230lbs | Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL

2025 Miami Recruiting Board
Kyrie Ebiketie [CB #2]: 6'0", 193lbs | Seffner, FL | 5-star | Committed to Georgia
Denzel Major [FS #2]: 5'11", 217lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 4-star | Committed to Alabama
Kasey Havner [SS #6]: 6'0", 218lbs | Deerfield Beach, FL | 4-star | Committed to Georgia
Tim McCracken [DT #18]: 6'5", 296lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | Committed to Florida

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 14:54

Florida's Devin Moore among those in attendance for big recruiting week for the Hurricanes
Manny Ledo -- The Miami Herald Sports Columnist

Simply beating Florida wasn't enough for the Miami Hurricanes and coach Mario Cristobal, they're also poaching their roster. Former Florida Gator Devin Moore was on campus this past weekend for a recruiting visit as the talented cornerback is set to pick from Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss and Florida State in the coming days.

Moore was a starter for Florida last season, recording fifteen tackles in the loss to Miami in the season opener. A physical man-to-man corner at six-foot-three, was a four-star prospect out of high school and is one of the top corners in the portal. The Naples native is Miami's top target at the position in the portal as they look to replace starting cornerback Daryl Porter Jr who will likely be a late round draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Moore could be playing with a former Florida teammate in Kamari Wilson who transferred to Arizona State after just a few months in Gainesville. Wilson is the top ranked safety in the portal and a top target for Miami as they are also looking to replace another senior in Meesh Powell.

Another top target in receiver Jeremiah Smith was on campus this week as well as quarterback Nicholas Vattiato. Smith is considering Georgia, UCF and Florida State but the Hurricanes remain the team to beat as Smith is from the area and almost picked the Hurricanes out of practice. He is closely monitoring the quarterback situation and will ultimately make a decision soon once he's comfortable with who Miami has at quarterback.

The Hurricanes are pushing to have Smith onboard and on campus before the start of the spring semester as they wish to have him participate in the spring.

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 15:08

Former five-star WR Jeremiah Smith, MTSU QB Nicholas Vattiato come home with commitment to Miami
Carlos Navarro -- The Athletic Staff Writer

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal might be one of college football's best recruiter so giving him multiple tries at a top target is sure to result in positive results for the Hurricanes. After failing to close the deal last year, Cristobal and Miami's staff finally landed receiver Jeremiah Smith as the former five-star committed to the Hurricanes over UCF, Florida State and Georgia.

Smith's commitment was paired with the commitment of quarterback Nicolas Vattiato as the transfer from Middle Tennessee State is also returning home. Smith and Vattiato spent time together a few weeks ago during their visit together at Miami and once Smith was sold on Vattiato, along with the rest of Miami's quarterback room, the Ohio State transfer felt comfortable pulling the trigger.

"I feel like it was the right move," Smith said, "I always wanted to play for Miami and after seeing them win last year, it felt like I got a second chance to right a wrong and I just couldn't say no to them twice."

Miami now has one of the best young receivers in all of college football in Smith who has two years of eligibility remaining. Vattiato has one year remaining and will compete for the starting job along with Reese Poffenbarger, Emory Williams and Judd Anderson. The staff is also high on true freshman quarterback Titus Willis who enrolled early and will be a participant in the spring.

Post by **The JZA** » 08 Sep 2024, 16:03

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 17:59

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 18:00

The JZA wrote: ↑
08 Sep 2024, 16:03

fell to my knees once i saw that jeremiah smith jumped in the portal

Post by **The JZA** » 08 Sep 2024, 18:10

Boy gonna be a track star in Miami #NattyOrBust

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 19:44

The JZA wrote: ↑
08 Sep 2024, 18:10
Boy gonna be a track star in Miami #NattyOrBust

i am so hype bruh but struggled to get the ball to our outside receiver last year

Post by **Soapy** » 08 Sep 2024, 20:22

A few Hurricanes to watch in the spring as Miami goes all in once more
By Sam Bitonio, CBS College Football Writer • 4 min read

Miami pushed all their chips to the table once they landed transfer quarterback Cam Ward last cycle, going out and getting running back Damien Martinez and receiver Sam Brown to supplement the offense while they retooled their defense with the likes of Mishael Powell, Tyler Baron, and D'yoni Hill.

The Hurricanes were aggressive in the portal once more, landing the top quarterback available in Middle Tennessee State's Nicholas Vattiato along with two of the top receivers in Jeremiah Smith and Mario Williams along with three top corners in Hezekiah Masses, Devin Moore and Dontae Balfour and safety Kamari Wilson.

This is all in conjunction with a roster full of returning talent from two consecutive top ten classes and an influx of new high school recruit from a top five recruiting class this past cycle. This should be an intense spring with ton of positional battles and weeding out the roster as Miami's two-deep might be among the nation's best. Here are a few players to keep an eye on outside of the obvious picks like Vattiato and Smith:

RS Sophomore QB Emory Williams
It seems that everyone on the outside looking in is ready to crown Vattiato as Miami's next starting quarterback. After all, he's a senior with plenty of experience and averaged 260 passing yards per game last season with Middle Tennessee State with twenty-eight touchdowns and just seven interceptions.

Miami is still high on redshirt sophomore Emory Williams, who started two games as a true freshman, beating Clemson and nearly beating Florida State on the road. He redshirted last year, playing only against Florida A&M where he didn't have the greatest outing but the staff still view Emory as their quarterback of the future.

Mario Cristobal and Shannon Dawson have chosen their words carefully when discussing Vattiato's arrival, always providing context that he's joining their quarterback room as opposed to taking it over last year with Cam Ward.

The veteran Vattiato should be viewed as the favorite but don't sleep on Williams.

Williams started against Clemson and led the Hurricanes to an overtime win over the Tigers. He completed 24 of his 33 attempts against Clemson for 151 yards with one touchdown and one interception. ESPN gave him a QBR of 82.3 for his efforts.

Sophomore DE Armando Blount
The former five-star recruit was just seventeen years old for most of last year, playing 27 snaps for the Hurricanes in a reserve role. He didn't register a sack but the fact that he played in eight games, burning a redshirt, shows the confidence that Miami already has in the youngster.

He'll be playing Reuben Bain Jr. and Tyler Baron at defensive end this season but should be a key rotational player as a versatile piece of their defense, similar to Akheem Mesidor who played both inside and on the edge for the Hurricanes last year. Mesidor finished the year with nine tackles for loss and five sacks so if Blount can fill in and replace that production, that will be welcomed news for the Hurricanes.

True freshman DT Kevin Yeboah
We know that Justin Scott projects to be Miami's top interior lineman as the five-star prospect is entering his second season, playing a limited role as a freshman and registering seven tackles for loss and flashing in his first year.

There will be plenty of competition for that second defensive tackle spot from veterans Ahmad Moten Sr., entering his fourth year and redshirt sophomore Josh Horton but keep an eye on five-star true freshman Kevin Yeboah who the staff is raving about following winter workouts.

They think he has superstar potential with his quick twitch and motor and that once he puts it altogether, he'll be a force to reckon with on the inside. He might not be able to play the snaps that Simeon Barrow Jr. is vacating but he will be competing for a role within the defense and could very well be Miami's second defensive tackle by the end of the year if he's able to improve again the run..

Sophomore WR Joshisa Trader
It's easy to get enamored with the new toys but that's exactly what former five-star receiver Joshisa Trader was last year, coming in with a ton of excitement as Miami managed to snag at least one of the Chaminda Madonna star receivers.

Now they have both in Smith and Trader and while Smith might have all of the buzz right now, don't forget about Trader who could end up starting opposite of him come the start of the year. He'll have a tough hill to climb with returning stater Sam Brown along with redshirt junior Isaiah Horton.

It'll be an uphill battle for Trader as he'll need to fight off Horton and Brown to be that starting outside receiver opposite of Smith but he also has shown the ability to play in the slot as well. Trader primarily played there last season, catching eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown.

True freshman ILB James Fernandez
Redshirt senior Jaylin Alderman is a very nice rotation piece at linebacker but James Fernandez is a true difference maker and its only a matter of time until he's on the football field.

Fernandez is already emerging as a leader of the freshmen and his natural leadership abilities stand out to both players and coaches alike, even during just workouts. Once the pads come on, Fernandez should continue to blossom as he's a downhill, physical inside linebacker whose defining attributes shine the brightest in full contact periods although he's already impressed coaches with his athleticism which is a notch higher than what they expected.

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