From the Ashes.

[Soapy]

shouldn't even count if Ott was out

i actually wanted him to play, Cal really has nothing without him

[Soapy]

Hurricanes hold off Alabama, Auburn to land five-star edge rusher Walt Coffey
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports Miami Insider

Five-star outside linebacker Walt Coffey has committed to the University of Miami, picking the Hurricanes over in-state Alabama and Auburn as well as the Clemson Tigers.

The Crimson Tide made a late push for Coffey, who lives two hours away from Tuscaloosa and grew up a fan of the program. Alabama's staff had been working hard to try to get Coffey on campus this fall but Miami's staff was able to hold off both Alabama and Auburn to land the state's top prospect.

Listed at six-foot-four and 256 pounds, Coffey looks the part when it comes to being a big time edge rusher at the next level with strong hands at the point of attack, knocking back blockers. In Miami's four-down front, Coffey projects to play a similar role as Elijah Alston and Tyler Baron's this season as a stand up edge rusher although as he develops physically, he could grow into a traditional defensive end as well.

Coffey is the eight ranked prospect in the country and joins a talented room that already includes a five-star from last cycle in Marquise Lightfoot as well as four-star Booker Pickett Jr. who was uber productive at the high school level, 17-year old Armando Blount and converted linebacker Malik Bryant.

The Tide and Miami are not done going head to head as both schools made the top three for five-star defensive tackle Kevin Yeboah out of Oxford, Alabama who is down to Miami, Alabama and Ole Miss. Yeboah will be in Miami on his official visit in two weeks when the Hurricanes take on Florida State.

2025 Miami Recruiting Class
Walt Coffey [OLB #3]: 6'4", 256lbs | Opelika, AL | 5-star
Maurice Rugamba [HB #10]: 6'0", 232lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star
George Robledo [OT #6]: 6'6", 314lbs | 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
Titus Willis [QB #29]: 6'1", 202lbs | Lilburn, GA | 4-star
Eric Incoom [WR #61]: 5'9", 204lbs | Pompano Beach, FL | 4-star | Miami, Georgia, UCF

2025 Miami Recruiting Board
Kevin Yeboah [DT #3]: 6'1", 288lbs | Oxford, AL | 5-star | Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss
James Fernandez [ILB #3]: 6'3", 234lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Miami, Georgia Tech, Auburn
Jacques Turk [ILB #4]: 5'11", 226lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | Miami, UCF
Tommy Stacy [CB #9]: 6'2", 191lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Miami, Alabama, Florida State
Miguel Escobar [WR #25]: 6'3", 191lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 4-star | Miami, UCF
Kevin Pujals [TE #11]: 6'2", 254lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | Miami, Florida State, Georgia
Doug Bean [DE #7]: 6'3", 274lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star | Miami, UCF
Marshall Kearns [ATH #17]: 6'6", 272lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | Miami, Florida State
Dan Mintze [DT #22]: 6'3", 287lbs | North Palm Beach, FL | 4-star | Miami, UCF
---------------------
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

[Soapy]

Bye Week Report: We know Miami has improved but how will they stack up against the nation's best?
Manny Ledo -- The Miami Herald Sports Columnist

Miami is undefeated through six games, atop the ACC standings with two conference wins already and are ranked inside the top ten in what was supposed to be an acclimation period for their newcomers including a transfer quarterback, running back, receiver and a first-year starter at center while defensively, they returned only one starter in the secondary with several new additions along the defensive line.

The question still remains, however, about just how good are the Hurricanes? They beat Florida by three points in the opener, who is now 1-4 with their only win coming against an FCS opponent. They needed overtime to beat winless Ball State at home, who lost to an FCS opponent the week prior.

They have looked better since, particularly the offense with three straight games where the offense rushed for over two-hundred yards while Cam Ward has turned down the turnover worthy plays with no interceptions in his last three games.

The schedule stiffens from here on out with a road trip to Louisville and a home stand against Florida State but those two games now look a lot more manageable after Florida State's losses to Boston College and Clemson and Louisville's lost last week to SMU.

If the Hurricanes get through unblemished or even split those two games, it's Duke, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Syracuse to end the season with the Blue Devils and the Orange being the only teams with a winning record and even there, the Hurricanes will have a substantial talent edge.

While Miami can't afford to look ahead, outsiders might and even if the Hurricanes do get to Charlotte and the playoffs, the questions will likely remain about just how good are they until they play an elite team which looks like it won't happen until they actually get there.

Team Leaders
Passing: Cam Ward (71% completion, 1324 yards, 14 TD, 3 INT, 153.7 QB rating)
Rushing: Damien Martinez (516 yards, 5.1 ypc, 6 TD)
Receiving: Xavier Restrepo (37 receptions, 410 yards, 5 TD)
Defense: Wesley Bissainthe (30 tackles, 10 TFL, 2.5 sacks, INT)

PFF Offensive Line Grade
LT Jalen Rivers: 391 snaps played, 91.8 PFF grade
LG Samson Okunlola: 298 snaps played, 65.2 PFF grade
C Ryan Rodriguez: 339 snaps played, 65.7 PFF grade
RG Anez Cooper: 414 snaps played, 83.4 PFF grade
RT Francis Mauigoa: 394 snaps played, 79.7 PFF grade
LG Matthew McCoy: 199 snaps played, 49.6 PFF grade

Team Rankings
Points Per Game: 35.3 PPG
Total Offense: 445 YPG
Rushing Offense: 183 YPG
Passing Offense: 262 YPG
Scoring Defense: 17 PAPG
Total Defense: 292 YAPG
Rushing Defense: 74 YAPG
Passing Defense: 218 YAPG
Turnover Differential: +3

Team Schedule
at Florida (1-4): W 17-14
vs. Florida A&M (FCS): W 66-10
vs. Ball State (0-5): W 34-31
at USF (2-3): W 30-10
vs. Virginia Tech (4-2): W 34-20
at California (1-4): W 31-17

Midseason Award - Most Valuable Player
A few options here with Cam Ward, Damien Martinez, Xavier Restrepo on offense and guys like Reuben Bain and Francisco Mauigoa on defense but showing some love to Jalen Rivers.

The Hurricanes left tackle is one of college football's highest graded players according to Pro Football Focus and has been a beacon of consistency for the Hurricanes, paving the way for their running game and serving as an anchor for an offensive line that has allowed just six sacks all season, with three of those being attributed to the line.

Midseason Award - Most Improved Player
Elijah Arroyo has dealt with injuries throughout his stint at Miami, cutting his sophomore season short and hampering him all of last year heading into the season and nagging him throughout the year.

Arroyo is second on the team with 24 receptions for 244 yards and three touchdowns as he continues to build chemistry with Ward. Once the vertical aspect of his game starts being exploited, we could be looking at an All-ACC selection by the end of the year.

Midseason Award - Best Freshman
Miami is an older team this year with only running back Jordan Lyle, receiver Joshisa Trader, tight end Elija Lofton, and defensive tackle Justin Scott playing snaps outside of the Florida A&M game.

Scott has 1.5 sacks, Lofton has caught two passes and Trader got in the endzone, albeit against FAMU so the edge goes to Lyle who is third on the team with 99 rushing yards, averaging nearly five yards per carry and seems to have leaped Ajay Allen as the third running back behind Martinez and Mark Fletcher.

Midseason Superlative - Most Disappointing Unit
Perhaps not disappointing as much as 'room for improvement' but the outside receivers have largely been limited to screens and quick game.

Jacolby George has four touchdowns on the year but outside of Ball State, he's yet to catch more than two passes in a game while Sam Brown, who the coaching staff view as their field stretcher, has almost exclusively caught screen passes with just four catches in the last four games, none for more than ten yards.

If Ward is able to challenge defenses vertically now that Miami's running game has been established as one of the nation's best, Miami's offense might be unstoppable.

[Captain Canada]

Losing that corner to Georgia must have been devastating. Always forget your recruiting grounds is an absolute mud-fight. Lots of high-quality updates! Well done.

[Soapy]

Miami's recruiting class grows with addition of four-star receiver Miguel Escobar and defensive end Doug Bean
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports Miami Insider

Georgia's recruiting class will be tough to top, led by two five-stars already and nine four-stars but the Miami Hurricanes are right on their heels, moving up to third behind the Bulldogs and Notre Dame with commitments from four-stars Miguel Escobar and Doug Bean this week.

Escobar is outside the top 200 but a well regarded prospect with his combination of size and speed at six-foot-three, 190-pounds with a sub-11 time in the 100-meter as a track athlete. Miami's offense could take the next step, provided they replace the likes of Cam Ward and Damien Martinez next season, if they're able to add a reliable deep threat and that's exactly what Escobar brings to the table with his ability to make tough catches in traffic and challenge a defense vertically.

Miami beat out UCF for Escobar and Bean, who was also considering North Carolina.

The six-foot-three, 274 pound Bean is a powerful athlete who brings some positional versatility with his ability to play throughout the defensive front from inside as a three-technique, similar to Akheem Mesidor this season, and all the way out to the edge like Tyler Baron who is more of your power rusher from the outside. He's a bit of tweener as he lacks the ideal length you would want in an edge setting defensive end and a bit lighter than your prototypical interior lineman but guys like Mesidor and Reuben Bain have had success in this defense with their leverage and brute force which Bean showcases flashes of.

2025 Miami Recruiting Class
Walt Coffey [OLB #3]: 6'4", 256lbs | Opelika, AL | 5-star
Maurice Rugamba [HB #10]: 6'0", 232lbs | Fort Lauderdale, 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
Titus Willis [QB #29]: 6'1", 202lbs | Lilburn, GA | 4-star
Doug Bean [DE #7]: 6'3", 274lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star
George Robledo [OT #6]: 6'6", 314lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star
Eric Incoom [WR #61]: 5'9", 204lbs | Pompano Beach, FL | 4-star | Miami, Georgia, UCF

2025 Miami Recruiting Board
Kevin Yeboah [DT #3]: 6'1", 288lbs | Oxford, AL | 5-star | Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss
James Fernandez [ILB #3]: 6'3", 234lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star | Miami, Georgia Tech, Auburn
Jacques Turk [ILB #4]: 5'11", 226lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | Miami, UCF
Tommy Stacy [CB #9]: 6'2", 191lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Miami, Alabama, Florida State
Kevin Pujals [TE #11]: 6'2", 254lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | Miami, Florida State, Georgia
Marshall Kearns [ATH #17]: 6'6", 272lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | Miami, Florida State
Dan Mintze [DT #22]: 6'3", 287lbs | North Palm Beach, FL | 4-star | Miami, UCF
---------------------
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

[Soapy]

Losing that corner to Georgia must have been devastating. Always forget your recruiting grounds is an absolute mud-fight. Lots of high-quality updates! Well done.

Thanks, brother.

Yeah, I was excited about Kyrie until I realized that Georgia and Alabama were slowly climbing after it largely being a runway for us. I knew the writing was on the wall then but was hoping we'd be able to get to the visit at least

[Count]

What’s Walt Coffey’s speed look like? If he has any speed with that size, he could be absolutely dominant at LB, unless you plan on just using him as a pass rusher

[Soapy]

Week 7 Top Stories
1. Dillon Gabriel's Heisman campaign is off to a hot start in Eugene
2. Fans in Oxford are celebrating after #3 Ole Miss defeats rival #6 LSU
3. Texas falls to rival Oklahoma in Dallas
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Week 7 ACC Results
UNC 31 - GT 14 | UV 30 - LOU 20 | ND 20 - STAN 14
CLEM 34 - WAKE 31 | CUSE 35 - NCST 17 | CAL 24 - PITT 17
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Week 8 ACC Schedule
Boston College (4-2, 2-0) at Virginia Tech (4-2, 1-1)
#17 Florida State (4-2, 3-2) at Duke (5-1, 2-0)
Virginia (4-2, 2-1) at #10 Clemson (5-1, 3-1)
SMU (3-3, 1-1) at Stanford (2-4, 0-3)
#8 Miami (6-0, 2-0) at Louisville (4-2, 1-2)
#21 NC State (5-2, 2-1) at California (2-4, 1-3)
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Week 8 Notable Games
#11 USC (5-1, 4-0) at #22 Maryland (5-1, 2-1)
#3 Alabama (6-0, 3-0) at #5 Tennessee (6-0, 3-0)
Colorado (5-1, 2-1) at #24 Arizona (4-2, 2-2)
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Players of the Week
WR Omari Kelly (Middle Tennessee State): W 38-20 at Louisiana Tech - 9 rec, 223 yds, 3 TD
DE Ronald Triplette (UTSA): W 42-14 at Rice - 5 tkl, 4 sacks
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WR Andre Greene Jr. (Virginia): W 30-20 vs. Louisville - 5 rec, 69 yds, TD, 3 car, 35 yds, 2 TD
DE Sylvain Yondjouen (Georgia Tech): L 31-14 at North Carolina - 8 tackles, 3 sacks
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Top 247 Five-Star Commitments
#2 Kyrie Ebiketie [CB #1]: 6'0", 193lbs | Seffner, FL | 5-star | University of Georgia
#8 Walt Coffey [OLB #3]: 6'4", 256lbs | Opelika, AL | 5-star | University of Miami
#16 Imani Ofodile [DE #3]: 6'4", 281lbs | Calera, AL | 5-star | University of Georgia
#20 Any Firkser [C #1]: 6'4", 318lbs | Aurora, IL | 5-star | University of Michigan
#29 D'Andre Hepburn [ATH #2]: 6'1", 301lbs | Portage, MI | 5-star | University of Michigan
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Notable Florida Recruiting Commitments
#2 Kyrie Ebiketie [CB #1]: 6'0", 193lbs | Seffner, FL | 5-star | University of Georgia
#41 Dalvin Jones [ATH #3]: 5'11", 203lbs | Deland, FL | 4-star | Clemson University
#52 Denzel Major [FS #2]: 5'11", 217lbs | Hallandale, FL | 4-star | University of Alabama
#70 Brian Sharga [OLB #8]: 6'3", 235lbs | Niceville, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#71 Toby Mundy [RT #6]: 6'7", 281lbs | Orlando, FL | 4-star | University of Georgia
#72 Ben Thomas [RG #2]: 6'5", 305lbs | Melbourne, FL | 4-star | University of Georgia
#87 Diego Montanez [OLB #9]: 6'3", 236lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Texas A&M
#113 Shawn McFoy [FS #4]: 5'11", 220lbs | Hollywood, FL | 4-star | University of Georgia
#114 Cory Capra [ILB #6]: 6'3", 243lbs | Jacksonville, FL | 4-star | Auburn University
#120 Maurice Rugamba [HB #10]: 6'0", 232lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#134 Kaseem Landman [DE #3]: 6'3", 262lbs | Pensacola, FL | 4-star | University of Florida
#143 Tremayne Sterns [CB #12]: 5'11", 181lbs | Bushnell, FL | 4-star | University of Alabama
#155 Richard Cookus [RT #12]: 6'4", 289lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#156 Kasey Havner [SS #6]: 6'0", 218lbs | Deerfield Beach, FL | 4-star | University of Georgia
#171 Elias Raines [CB #15]: 6'2", 177lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | University of Miami
#218 Miguel Escobar [WR #25]: 6'3", 191lbs | Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 4-star | University of Miami

[Soapy]

What’s Walt Coffey’s speed look like? If he has any speed with that size, he could be absolutely dominant at LB, unless you plan on just using him as a pass rusher

His archetype is pass rusher so I was going to move him to DE for our 4-2-5. My one tick of recruiting didn't reveal his speed but it does appear to be high from the range shown but his zone coverage is towards the middle

[Soapy]

A pair of inside linebackers commit to Hurricanes as they leapfrog Georgia for nation's top recruiting class
Eddie Fernandez -- 247 Sports Miami Insider

The debate of who is the best linebacker in Dade and Broward County has raged on for the past two seasons between St. Thomas Aquinas' Jacques Turk and Homestead's James Fernandez. The debate will likely continue through their senior season but for the Miami Hurricanes, it doesn't matter as both will be playing their college football at the University of Miami.

In a joint social media announcement, both Fernandez and Turk pledged their commitment to play for the hometown Hurricanes at the next level with Fernandez picking Miami over Auburn and Georgia Tech while the Canes picked up another recruiting win over UCF.

A top 30 recruit, Fernandez is the second five-star in Miami's class, joining edge rusher Walt Coffey. Fernandez is a bit of a throwback at six-foot-three and 234 pounds with more than enough speed for today's modern game but a downhill thumper as well. The Broncos used him in a variety of ways, including as a pass rusher, so there are comparisons to Francisco Mauigoa but perhaps an even better athlete than Mauigoa and more advanced at this stage in their development as a linebacker with Mauigoa being a former quarterback.

Turk is the exact opposite which is what makes the debate so intriguing and their pairing so well put together as he's your traditional WILL linebacker at five-foot-eleven and 226 pounds with great range and extremely comfortable in space. Against more spread offenses, the Raiders have used Turk as sort of a big nickel and he didn't look out of place at that position.

With their commitments, Miami is now the top ranked class in the country, ahead of LSU and Georgia. Fernandez is the highest ranked inside linebacker to commit to Miami in the 247 Sports era.

2025 Miami Recruiting Class
Walt Coffey [OLB #3]: 6'4", 256lbs | Opelika, AL | 5-star
James Fernandez [ILB #3]: 6'3", 234lbs | Miami, FL | 5-star
Jacques Turk [ILB #4]: 5'11", 226lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star
Maurice Rugamba [HB #10]: 6'0", 232lbs | Fort Lauderdale, 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
Titus Willis [QB #29]: 6'1", 202lbs | Lilburn, GA | 4-star
Doug Bean [DE #7]: 6'3", 274lbs | Tampa, FL | 4-star
George Robledo [OT #6]: 6'6", 314lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star
Eric Incoom [WR #61]: 5'9", 204lbs | Pompano Beach, FL | 4-star | Miami, Georgia, UCF

2025 Miami Recruiting Board
Kevin Yeboah [DT #3]: 6'1", 288lbs | Oxford, AL | 5-star | Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss
Rico Veasy [DT #4]: 6'1", 290lbs | Ocala, FL | 4-star | Louisville, Florida, Miami
Paul Webb [CB #6]: 5'11", 190lbs | Montgomery, AL | 4-star | Miami, South Carolina
Tommy Stacy [CB #9]: 6'2", 191lbs | Miami, FL | 4-star | Miami, Alabama, Florida State
Kevin Pujals [TE #11]: 6'2", 254lbs | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4-star | Miami, Florida State, Georgia
Marshall Kearns [ATH #17]: 6'6", 272lbs | Fort Myers, FL | 4-star | Miami, Florida State
Dan Mintze [DT #22]: 6'3", 287lbs | North Palm Beach, FL | 4-star | Miami, UCF
LaMarcus Cook [FS #16]: 5'11", 213lbs | Bradenton, FL [IMG] | 4-star | Alabama, Miami
James Rutter [K #20]: 5'11", 178lbs | Tarpon Springs, FL | 3-star | Georgia Southern, USF, Miami
---------------------
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