Big 3 Recruiting Grades
MIAMI
QUARTERBACK
Miami targeted landing one quarterback in this class, and they got an athletic one in A.J. Highsmith. Highsmith put up big numbers as a senior with 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions, and he ran for 500 yards in addition to 2,100 passing yards. A big question is his height - at barely 6 feet tall he is a quarterback who may have trouble seeing over bigger offensive linemen. UM passed over talented local quarterback Denard Robinson and Eugene Smith to grab Highsmith, so they certainly believe in Highsmith's ability. GRADE: B
RUNNING BACKS
Mike James is an athletic power back who can run by and through people, and Lamar Miller has earned Clinton Portis comparisons from those that have seen him play. Both put up big numbers as high school seniors: James ran for 1,200 yards and 12 scores; Miller ran for 1,749 yards and 22 touchdowns. With Graig Cooper and Javarris James the only proven tailback weapons on the team, and with James a constant injury risk, don't be surprised if one or both get immediate playing time. Also waiting in the wings is Bryce Brown, the nation's No. 1 recruit who did not sign anywhere Feb. 4 but remains a Hurricane commitment. If he comes, bump the grade up to an A+. GRADE: A
WIDE RECEIVERS
Miami had hoped to land a receiver in this class despite having solid depth at the position. But the Canes struck out with two major national targets: Andre Debose and Rueben Randle. Debose considered taking a Cane visit the weekend before signing day with teammates Ray Ray Armstrong and Dyron Dye, but visited Florida State instead. While it was disappointing UM didn't land a receiver, it also was smart of coaches not to ink a Plan B guy when you have so many talented pass catchers already on campus. GRADE: INCOMPLETE
TIGHT ENDS
UM has a couple of capable tight ends in this class. Stephen Plein is a physical run blocker with solid hands, and Billy Sanders is a rangy pass catcher in the mold of a Jeremy Shockey. Miller had committed to UM last February before decommitting to UCLA last month, and he came back on board with the Canes on Signing Day. Sanders had 32 receptions and three touchdowns as a senior; Plein only played defense this past season due to his team's needs. Plein currently weighs 250 pounds, and if he gets too heavy he could move to the offensive line - that is the official position he is listed at in UM's Signing Day release. Cory White could begin as a tight end at UM as well, but he is more likely to play offensive line. Assuming Plein stays at tight end, the combination of a solid run blocking tight end like Plein who can also run well - he's been timed at 4.8 seconds in the 40 - combined with more of a pass catcher like Sanders is a nice mix. UM missed out on the nation's top tight end, Sheldon Richardson, when he committed to Missouri over Miami on Signing Day. GRADE: B
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Miami missed out on a lot of targets here, but also landed five recruits, two of whom are four-star players - Jermaine Johnson and Brandon Washington. Both are prep school players who arrived in January, which means they could both be in line for immediate playing time. Three-star linemen Jared Wheeler, Malcolm Bunche and Cory White (who could begin as a tight end but projects as a linemen down the road) round out the offensive line class. This position will be remembered for the ones that got away, though. UM was in it with several highly regarded linemen until the final two days of recruiting. Quinton Washington chose Michigan, Andrew Tiller picked Syracuse, Peter White headed to Maryland and Bobby Massie chose Ole Miss. A week earlier Marcus Hall chose Ohio State over Miami. While it's frustrating that the Canes were in the final two or three for so many other top linemen, the final haul is still fine. It just could have been better. GRADE B-
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Miami filled its needs here with ends Dyron Dye and Olivier Vernon and tackles Curtis Porter and Luther Robinson. Robinson, Vernon and Dye are four-star prospects who get rave reviews. With UM's depth at end, it will be tough for Dye or Vernon to break in right away, but Robinson or Porter could see immediate action. And Porter and Vernon are already on Miami's campus and will participate in spring ball, which gives them an additional advantage. This was a solid haul. GRADE: A
LINEBACKERS
Early-on in recruiting UM targeted Jelani Jenkins as the one linebacker they wanted in this class. But as high school seasons began the Canes went in a different direction and offered Sam Barrington and Shayon Green, who could also play defensive end depending on how much weight he adds in college. Green chose the Canes, but Barrington announced the night before signing day that he was going with South Florida instead. Well, as the saying goes, one out of two ain't bad. Green had 15 scholarship offers after amassing 120 tackles his senior season. This was not a position of need, so landing one solid linebacker works just fine. GRADE: B+
DEFENSIVE BACKS
A late defection by Kayvon Webster to South Florida hurt UM at a position where the team doesn't have much depth. While Webster decommitted to USF on Signing Day, four other players stuck by their word: five-star safety Ray Ray Armstrong, four-star cornerback Jamal Reid, three star cornerback/safety Prince Kent and four-star cornerback Brandon McGee. And don't be surprised if McGee emerges as the best cover corner on the roster as a true freshman. Miami would have liked to have more numbers here, but at least the four the Canes landed are high quality players. Look for all four to be in the mix for immediate playing time given Miami's weak depth in this area. GRADE: A-
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let this thread continue as recruting and talking about how next year will some how maybe be better 
but like I said nix is gone 
