With the early signing period set to begin in less than two weeks, Miami is pushing to finish strong with another Top 10 finish.
We expect the Canes will sign 25-27 recruits to the class. Almost immediately after the ESD, the transfer portal will open up for college players. After last season, Miami signed 15 transfers to bolster their roster for 2024, including Cam Ward, Damien Martinez, Zach Carpenter, Simeon Barrow Jr., and Mishael Powell.
In the upcoming cycle, we expect Miami to sign 4-6 transfers to fill any remaining roster needs. While we won’t float any names at this time because we simply don’t know who the Canes would target. However, we will make an educated guess on the positions Miami target to fill. It depends on who the Canes sign on December 4th.
Based on all reports and sources at this time, we believe Miami will focus their portal efforts on quarterback, defensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive back.
Quarterback:
With Cam Ward leaving for the NFL and Reece Poffenbarger rumored to be transferring, that would leaving the Canes very thin and relatively inexperienced at the most important position. RS-sophomore Emory Williams and RS-Fr. Judd Anderson as the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Miami will add true freshman Luke Nickel this spring. However Luke will be assimilating into college life and college football. With only three quarterbacks, Miami will be dangerously thin at the position. We believe the staff will add an experience college quarterback, if for no reason than depth.
Defensive Tackle:
Miami will have a talented but inexperienced defensive tackle room in 2025, including Justin Scott Armondo Blount, Josh Horton, Artavius Jones, Ahmad Moten Sr., and Daylen Russell. The Canes will sign true freshmen Donta Simpson and Mykah Newton from the high school ranks. We believe the staff will add an experienced college defensive tackle or two, if for no reason than added depth.
Wide Receiver:
Miami will lose at least three wide receivers after this season, including Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George and Sam Brown. The Canes are returning Isaiah Horton, an experienced and productive receiver and potential WR1. Also returning are talented but unproven and relatively inexperienced receivers such as Ray Ray Joseph, JoJo Trader, Ny Carr, Chance Robinson and Shemar Kirk. Also joining the room will be true freshmen Joshua Moore, Malachi Toney, and Daylyn Upshaw. Miami is trying to close this recruiting cycle with one more blue-chip wide receiver. That could determine if the staff opts for an experienced wide out in the portal.
Defensive Back:
The back end of Miami defense has struggled in 2024 with explosive plays. The Canes will lose two of their most experienced defensive backs (CB Daryl Power and S Mishael Powell) to graduation after this season. More could be lost to attrition. Currently, Miami will have 13 returning defensive backs and have verbal commitments from some young and talent rising freshmen. The Canes are also in fierce recruiting battles to land a few day potential one starters from the high school ranks. If successful, however, they will be young and inexperienced. Miami could elect to go back to the portal for experienced depth.
BOTTOM LINE:
Miami will take a smaller transfer class this cycle to fill roster holes with experienced depth. No home runs are expected in the portal this cycle.
But time will tell.
GO CANES!
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