Miami Football Recruiting: Grading The Canes' 2011 Class

National Signing Day officially started, as it does every year, on the first Wednesday of February. This is the day in which all college football prospects are officially allowed to sign letters of intent to the college of their choice.

Although there have been 15 verbal commitments to the University of Miami, as we have seen in the past, that doesn't mean much until they sign on the dotted line.

Miami will have a fairly small recruiting board this year as they are taking their penalty for "over recruiting" last year.

The NCAA allows each Division 1A school to have 85 football players on scholarship at anyone time. Miami currently has 16 spots available, so it's going to be interesting on what happens.

Keep in mind that this is just the first day players can sign, players have until April 1, 2011 to sign with a school.

Here are the players and their grade for the Hurricanes that have signed their letter of intent.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/591689-national-signing-day-2011-tracking-where-the-top-100-recruits-sign

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/594117-national-signing-day-2011-follow-latest-signings-news-reaction

Rashawn Scott, WR (Melbourne Central Catholic HS)

Position: Wide Receiver

Ht/Wt: 6-2, 200

Where he fits in best: Scott played running back, wide receiver, and quarterback (due to injury) in his senior year of high school, but with lack of depth at wide receiver, there is no doubt that is where he will play.

Does it fill a void?: Yes, Miami needs depth since Leonard Hankerson graduated last year.

Grade: B-  

There is not too much online regarding Scott , but has good size and is an obvious athlete playing multiple positions through high school.

Anthony Chickillo,DE (Tampa Alonzo HS)

Position: Defensive End

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 235

Where he fits in best: Defensive end is Chickillo's home. With the loss of Allen Bailey to graduation, this is a spot that needs more depth. Granted there is a lot of talent on the defensive end for the 2011 season,  but there is no way Miami could have let him go elsewhere.

Does it fill a void?: Absolutely. Although Baileys shoes are pretty big to fill, might as well do it with a 4/5 Star recruit.

Grade: A+

 Chickillo is the best recruit Miami has this year. He is an absolute beast, as he proved it in the Under Armour All Star game, nabbing MVP honors for the Red Team. He has great size and speed and reminds me a lot of Junior, Olivier Vernon.

Phillip Dorsett, WR (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)

Position: Wide Receiver

Ht/Wt: 5-10, 170

Where he fits in best: There is only one spot for Dorsett and that is at wide receiver. Besides Laron Byrd and Travis Benjamin, the depth is thin.

Does it fill a void?: Yes, the depth at wide receiver is pretty shallow. There will be about five to six players fighting for that number three spot.

Grade: B+

Dorsett is a great receiver and a 3/4 star recruit. He attacks the ball and has good speed. He plays big for being under six feet. It's going to be a very interesting battle at receiver this year.

Gionni Paul, LB (Lakeland Kathleen HS)

Position: Linebacker

Ht/Wt: 6-0, 225

Where he fits in best: Inside llnebacker would be my guess, although Ramon Buchanan is back for his senior year. The depth at linebacker is thin due to the loss of Kylan Robinson.

Does it fill a void?: Yes. Two of the three starting linebackers are seniors this year, and Melvin Cain is only a sophomore. Depth is key at this position.

Grade: B

Has decent size and will definitely will get bigger once he goes through some strength and conditioning at Miami. He is a 3-star recruit with high dreams, having already stated he wants to be on the All Freshman ACC team.

Taylor Gadbois, OL (Dallas East Paulding)

Position: Offensive Lineman

Ht/Wt: 6-8, 295

Where he fits in best: Offensive tackle is his main position.

Does it fill a void?: For depth reasons, yes, but overall the offensive line really wasn't in dire need.  Miami recruited well on the O-line last year.

Grade: C+

Miami didn't necessarily need to add to the offensive line. Gadbois' size and promise make him a good pick for the future.

Ricardo Williams, DE (Homestead HS)

Position: Defensive End

Ht/Wt: 6-5,210

Where he fits in best? Defensive end and/or outside linebacker. He played defensive end in high school, but said he wouldn't mind playing outside linebacker.

Does it fill a void?: Not necessarily this year. Miami has good depth at defensive end and added stud Chickillo already. I can see maybe a move to outside linebacker or a red-shirt.

Grade: C+

Defensive end depth is pretty solid the way it is. Although with different sets and the new 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense Miami is going to have this year, he actually may fit into the rotation at times.

Denzel Perryman, LB (Coral Gables HS)

Position: Linebacker

Ht/Wt: 5-11, 220

Where he fits in best? Most likely will add depth to the middle linebacker position. Although a tad bit short, he plays like he wants to hurt people. Buchanan is the current starter, but Perryman will add depth.

Does it fill a void?: Yes. Again, Miami's depth chart is senior loaded at linebacker. Adding a great play maker, like Perryman was in high school, was a must.

Grade: B+

Although Perryman lacks height on the field, he makes up for it with quickness and power. He is an absolute tackling machine and isn't afraid to knock people out. He reminds me of Sean Spence.

Olsen Pierre, DE (Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy)

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 14: A male Miami Hurricanes cheerleader waves a giant flag while a female cheerleader performs during the game against the Florida International Panthers at the Orange Bowl on October 14, 2006 in Miami, Florida. Miami won 35-0. (Photo by

Position: Defensive End

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 255

Where he fits in best? Defensive end.

Does it fill a void?: Defensive line is pretty stacked for Miami, so this just adds depth to a pretty solid lineup. The Canes' future on the defensive line seems pretty solid.

Grade: C

Pierre was a Temple-commit until Al Golden came to Miami to coach. He has a great upside as a pass rusher and has perfect size for a Jason Taylor-type player. He may be a little raw, but I am trusting Golden on this one.

Jalen Grimble, DT (Bishop Gorman HS)

Position: Defensive Tackle

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 255

Where he fits in best? Defensive tackle/end, depending on the 3-4/4-3 package.

Does it fill a void? Yes. This is Miami's only defensive tackle on the board and he is a great one. Since he moves so well, he will be playing end when they go to the 3-4.

Grade: A-.

Scout.com has him listed as a 5-star recruit with unlimited potential. He has great movement for his size and will straight up sock people in the mouth. After seeing a couple tapes, I am convinced he will be the next big thing at D-line.

This was Miami's surprise of the year as he was committed to USC for almost a year now.

Kevin Grooms, CB (South Broward HS)

Position: Cornerback/Running Back.

Ht/Wt: 5-10, 170

Where he fits in best? Cornerback and possibly to return kicks. Although he was a standout running back, that position is locked down for the next three to four years. Unless he really makes some noise, I see him primary as special teams (which is what he wants) and a shot at cornerback.

Does it fill a void? Absolutely. Miami lost Brandon Harris to the NFL last year, so cornerback is a definite must. Miami also has not had anyone who could do much on punt and kick returns, so he should fill that void as well.

Grade: A I

I like this kid a lot. His speed and quickness are remarkable; he had six returns go for touchdowns in his senior year of high school. He reminds me of, dare I say, Devin Hester.

Matt Goudis, K (Chaminade College Prep)

Position: Kicker

Ht/Wt: 6-0, 165

Where he fits in best? Kicker and maybe punter?

Does it fill a void? Yes, with Matt Bosher leaving, there is a void at both punting and kicking position.

Grade: B

From what I hear and read this kid might be pulling both duties. He has a 52-yard kick to his credit in high school, along with a 43-yard average on punts.

Dalton Botts, P (Moorpark HS)

Position: Punter

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 200

Where he fits in best? Punter

Does it fill a void? Yes, with Matt Bosher leaving, there is no current punter on the roster.

Grade: D+

Little is known about Botts, but sources have him as a very accurate punter with a good leg.

Dallas Crawford, CB (South Fort Myers HS)

Position: Cornerback

Ht/Wt: 5-10, 180

Where he fits in best? Cornerback. He played quarterback in high school, but will be moved to the cornerback position full time.

Does it fill a void? Yes. Miami has been a little weak, besides Harris, in the backfield the last couple years, so this is definitely someone that the Hurricanes need

Grade: B+ 

Crawford, like Grooms, is an experienced defensive back with great hands. His quickness though is what scouts are raving over; word is he breaks to the ball just as good as anyone in the class.

Antonio Kinard, LB (Liberty HS)

Position: Linebacker

Ht/Wt: 6-3, 205

Where he fits in best? Outside linebacker.

Does it fill a void? Yes, I believe he does. The depth at linebacker needs to be filled and Kinard has the ability to fill the shoes.

Grade: B-

Kinard de-commited from Michigan earlier and chose Miami. He spent last fall at a prep school. From reports I have seen he has good speed with great instincts.

Thomas Finnie, CB (Miami Central HS)

Position: Cornerback

Ht/Wt: 5-10, 165

Where he fits in best? Cornerback/Special Teams.

Does it fill a void? Miami needs depth at cornerback and Finnie should fill in nicely.

Grade: B

I have yet to see much information on Finnie, but reports have stated that Finnie is "the steal of the day", stating he has tremendous speed, quickness, and hands. This may be one of the better cornerback recruits in years.

Eddie Johnson, RB/LB (North Atlanta HS)

Position: Running Back/Linebacker

Ht/Wt: 6-1, 224

Where he fits in best? Linebacker, probably outside. Running backs are pretty much set in stone.

Does it fill a void? Maybe not now, but in the future. The linebacking core seems solid and I do not see Johnson too involved with the scheme.

Grade: C  

I have only seen one video of him, so I do not know much about him. He seems extremely fast, which is always helpful, but only time will tell.

Summary

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CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 13: Former Temple University football coach Al Golden, 41, speaks to the media after being introduced as the new head coach at the University of Miami on December 13, 2010 in Coral Gables, Florida. Golden is replacing Randy

Overall the Hurricanes had a successfull first day of recruiting considering the off-season turmoil they had with coaching changes.

New coach, Al Golden, did a remarkable job considering the circumstances and the low amount of available scholarships.

All in all, they got 11 defensive players, two special teamers, and three on offense. 

Every position that was needed, was accounted for. There is plenty of depth on the defensive line and more was added to a pretty good receiver core.

Golden has stated that Miami was not done recruiting yet as they are working hard to get 4-star quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, among others.

Miami's only true loss of the day came in the hands of three/four star commit, B.J. Debuse who decided to go to Louisville.

For the needs that Miami had, I give this recruiting class a B-.

Missing are the bigger-named stars that they eventually will get, as soon as they start to win more games.