Should Miami Hurricanes Staff been able to Predict Sam Bruce's Troubles?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Former Miami Hurricanes Wide Receiver Sam Bruce who was dismissed in October had a very tumultuous recruiting process. He committed to other schools at least twice before re-committing to Miami.

Bruce was dismissed in part because he broke his leg playing basketball (which is against team policy), failed to attend therapy sessions for the leg and missed study halls. Briuce was also dismissed from St. Thomas Aquinas High School for showing a picture of himself with a gun on Instagram in February.

The University issued a statement at the time of Bruce’s dismissal from Miami.

“Multiple violations of team rules and a failure on his part to meet the clear expectations established to be a part of the Miami football program…We wish Sam well with his future academic and football endeavors,”

Should the Miami staff have been able to foresee Bruce’s troubles? He frequently changed his mind during his recruiting process. He originally committed to Miami in 2014, then flipped to Ohio State and South Carolina before recommitting to Miami.

Here is a look back at the Canes Warning’s archives into Bruce’s recruiting process.

Ohio State?

After a very tough, up and down recruiting process, Sam Bruce has flipped his commitment to Ohio State. Bruce had been committed to Miami since July 8th, 2014, but began to really look around when the Hurricanes fired Kevin Beard, a coach that Sam Bruce has a very good relationship with.

Bruce visited Ohio State during the season and Miami this past weekend. Last night Sam Bruce sat down with his family and mentors and ultimately decided to flip his commitment to the Buckeyes.

South Carolina?

Bruce visited South Carolina two weeks ago and Miami this past weekend. Last night Sam Bruce sat down with his family and mentors and ultimately decided to flip his commitment to The University of South Carolina.

The 5’7-180 receiver out of St. Thomas Aquinas is rated as a four-star prospect by every recruiting site and was one of the highest ranked recruits in Miami’s 2016 class. The Canes still have four star wide receivers Dionte Mullins and Latrell Williams currently committed and are looking to add more.

Other Recruits

Miami is trying to add former commit and four-star receiver, Ahmmon Richards, who visited Alabama this past weekend and will visit Miami this upcoming weekend. Additionally, The Hurricanes are hopeful to add recent Georgia de-commit, Randrecous Davis and current Georgia commit, Javon Wims.

Both Wims and Davis were rated as Five-star prospects. Miami is very thin at wide receiver this year, so a class of four to five talented receivers would be a big boost to the Canes’ offense.

Mullins and Richards were the only two players that wound up at Miami. Richards made a huge impact for the Hurricanes this fall. He set the school Freshman record for receiving yards and was named second team All-ACC. Mullins got playing time against Florida A&M in the opener, but did not make the stat sheet.