Miami Football Recruiting: Reggie Northrup Flips, Where Else Can the Canes Look?

Florida State has done it again. The Jimbo Fisher era has pulled in a number of stud recruiting steals, the most recent being Reggie Northrup from Miami. Northrup is one of the top outside linebackers in this class from the state of Florida and the Hurricanes will be looking to replace him in this class.

The Hurricanes have three other outside linebackers in the fold in the 2012 class with Raphael Kirby, Josh Witt and Gabriel Terry all on board. The loss of Northrup throws a kink in things, however, as he was the most highly touted of the four linebackers.

Miami will lose three outside linebackers this season to graduation, so there is an obvious need at the outside linebacker spot in this class. There are two to three additional names that may make it into the fold for the Canes as they look to fill out the linebacker class.

Here are three possible names to look for by the end of today.

Eric Kinsey, Miami Northwestern High School, Miami, FL

Kinsey is a big-bodied outside linebacker that could project at defensive end or outside linebacker in college depending on the defensive scheme. Kinsey is a solid tackler, but his biggest knock will be his top end speed.

Kinsey fills gaps well from the outside and he also shows the ability to scrape the line and peel off of blocks.

Kinsey has West Virginia, Florida and Florida State on the docket as well, but Miami has a shot to land Kinsey with a firm offer. He may be a surprise addition today.

Christian Russell, Hargrave Military Academy, Hargrave, Virginia

Russell was a two-spot star in high school, playing running back and linebacker. Russell originally committed to North Carolina out of high school, but he currently is open with his recruitment. He took his talents to prep school but looks to make it to the big stage today.

A Miami offer could tip the Canes in his favor, placing another effective and big-bodied linebacker in the fold for the Canes defense. Russell would have four years of eligibility remaining and he would fit well in this class.

If Miami is even left as an option for Russell is unclear, but he would be a solid addition in 2012.

Webster Jones, Angleton High School, Angleton, Texas

Jones has a wealth of speed and has a knack for finding contact on the field. He fills gaps well and times his blitzes very effectively. He is not a big linebacker, but he has to frame to add some additional bulk in the future.

As of this morning, Jones did not have an offer from the Canes, but one may change his intentions for his letter of intent.

Jones would be a good addition for the Canes if they choose to extend the offer, but he would likely pull a redshirt.

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