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Nov 26, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt looks on prior to a game against then Duke Blue Devils at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
There is a lot of discussion Mark Richt’s first full year recruiting class. He was on the job less than two months when the class of 2016 was signed. The Hurricanes were able to sign three consensus top 100 recruits for the class of 2017.
There are a countless number of questions in any recruiting class. The class of 2017 is no different. Will a starting Quarterback come from this class? Who is ready to make an immediate impact? Who has the most pro potential? Who is the best play maker?
Miami has a varying level of talent and readiness in the Class of 2017. Mark Richt and his staff did a great job with what is widely considered to be a consensus top 15 recruiting class. Massive Offensive Nauvaughn Donaldson, Wide Receiver Jeff Thomas and Defensive Lineman D.J. Johnson are ranked in the top 75 players in the country.
Quarterback N’Kosi Perry is also generating a lot of buzz and could challenge for a starting spot this season. Richt said of Perry “he runs like a deer”.
Other players like DeeJay Dallas, Jonathan Garvin and Mike Harley have the potential to become marque names as Miami Hurricanes. The spring game should be interesting. Nearly half of the Class of 2017 enrolled last month.
Sep 5, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) leaps over Bethune Cookman Wildcats defensive back Austin Walker (35) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Which prospect will be drafted the highest?
Roman Marciante– Navaughn Donaldson. The NFL has embraced offensive lineman in the early rounds. I have to play the odds and give it to the athletic behemoth from Dade country. Being that big and being that athletic is just so rare to see.
Daniel Nordwall– Navaughn Donaldson. Offensive lineman are usually the top draft picks in the NFL; there is a serious need for their services. Donaldson will only get bigger, faster, and stronger in his 6-foot-5, 335 pound frame. Eventually, Donaldson will be Miami’s marquee lineman that scouts will drool over. Not only does he contain the size, but he has great feet and is very athletic for a lineman.
Alan Rubenstein– With his size and athletic ability, Donaldson seems like a can’t miss prospect. You can’t teach size and Donaldson’s is incredible. At 6’6 335 he already has the size to play in the NFL. He should be able to grow into his body and sculpt it to become more muscular. With coaching from offensive line coach Stacy Searles, Donaldson has all the upside to become the next great lineman from the U.
Nov 19, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Teammates congratulate Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jaquan Johnson (4) after a fumble recovery during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. Miami won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Who will make the biggest impact in 2017?
Roman Marciante-Jeff Thomas is likely to make the biggest impact in 2017. Call it speed envy but I simply don’t see how coach Richt can keep a guy with 35 career high school touchdowns off the field. Richt wanted speed and he got it in Thomas.
Daniel Norwall– There could many answers to this question. Quarterback Nkosi Perry will have the biggest impact. I think Mark Richt and the coaching staff will give Perry every possible opportunity to win the job when he comes in the summer.
Perry is the quarterback of the future and he brings an element that Miami has been missing at the position for quite awhile: attitude and mobility. Perry could change the whole dynamic of the offense which will free up playmakers on the team.
Alan Rubenstein– Cornerback Jhavonte Dean will have the biggest shoes to fill. Corn Elder had his best season as a collegian in 2016 and became the leader of a vastly improved defense under Manny Diaz.
Dean is going to have the biggest amount of responsibility of the newcomers as the Hurricanes lose Elder, Adrian Colbert and Safeties Rayshawn Jenkins who was the leading tackler in 2016 and Jamal Carter.
As a Junior College transfer, Dean and Jaquan Johnson will counted on to be the leaders of the secondary as its elder statesmen
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (82) celebrates his touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Who is the most likely to become an All-American?
Roman Marciante-The most likely to be an all American would be a defensive line prospect. I feel coach Kuligowski’s track record for developing that position is outstanding. So I’ll toss it up and say between Jonathan Garvin or D.J. Johnson. Could be both who knows.
Daniel Norwall- The player who has the chance to become a freshman All-American this season is Amari Carter. I think Carter will play himself into a starting role into the safety position and could have a year like Michael Pinckney and Shaq Quarterman on the defense.
DJ Johnson has the talent to become an All-American caliber player in two-three years when he can get fully develop under Craig Kuligowksi’s tutelage.
Alan Rubenstein- Thomas is the highest ranked prospect in the class for a reason. Although he seems to be the most likely candidate in the class to boom or bust with Perry. Thomas is a special talent and proved as much in the Under Armour All-American game against other great players.
He scorched other highly rated prosects for 138 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Thomas earned the game’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Sep 17, 2016; Boone, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Walton (1) runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Who is the best playmaker in the class?
Roman Marciante-Deejay Dallas. Kid just has it. I have no idea where he’s going to play. I know Richt has him on offense to start but one thing I’m certain of, Dallas will make plenty of plays for this Miami Hurricanes in his career. If you consider his social media game as a forecaster for making plays. He wins the play making title by a land slide.
Daniel Norwall– This one is up for grabs between Mike Harley and Jeff Thomas. It will depend on who will see the field more between the two players. Harley and Thomas both bring electric playmaking abilities for the team on offense and special teams. Ron Dugans did an excellent job in acquiring scoreboard changers.
Alan Rubenstein– It has to be Thomas with special mention to Mike Harley and his exceptional speed and DeeJay Dallas’ dynamic athleticism. As I said in his ability to become an All-American, Thomas showed off his play making ability against the best high school players in the country in the Under Armour Game.
N’Kosi Perry is an intriguing prospect that will get on the field at some point. He could become the best playmaker in time.
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Gus Edwards (7) runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Camping World Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes defeat the West Virginia Mountaineers 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Who is the most overrated?
Roman Marciante-I’m going to go politically correct on this one. The gap between Jonathan Garvin and DJ Johnson isn’t as big as the national rankings want you to believe.
Daniel Nordwall– Every player in Miami’s class possesses potential. However, I think De’Andre Wilder may take some time to develop. He is a very raw athlete that needs to learn how to play outside linebacker in 4-3 scheme.
In high school, he just rushed the quarterback off the edge and received four-star rankings from most websites. I think linebackers Waynmon Steed Jr. and Bradley Jennings Jr. will have more of an impact for 2017 at the linebacker position.
Alan Rubenstein– The expectations being placed on Perry for him to come in and become the starting Quarterback immediately might be a bit high. Miami has Malik Rosier who has two years of experience sitting behind Brad Kaaya.
It often gets lost in the shuffle that Kaaya sat out the Miracle in Durham game in 2015. Without Rosier’s quality play in that game, the final play never happens on the kickoff return.
Perry has all the physical tools to be a great player, but is still a bit raw. This isn’t an indictment of Perry as much as the expectations that are being placed on him. Even the school is contributing to the hype before Perry ever takes the field.
Remember the name – N’Kosi Perry.#WelcomeToTheU pic.twitter.com/24ySFIh4Fb
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) February 1, 2017
In article about who will replace Kaaya, the Palm Beach Post said of Perry “lanky frame, long motion and a strong, but inconsistent arm. He is the caliber of athlete Miami hasn’t had at the position in some time, but how quickly can he be ready?”
Miami’s class of 2017 could become the cornerstone class of the Richt era at Miami. This is the first class he has signed with a full year under his belt at Miami. There are a lot of high level prospects and some players that might surprise. Quite a few should contribute this fall.
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