Miami Football Recruiting: Power Ranking the Last 5 Recruiting Seasons

The Hurricanes haven't had a great recruiting class since 2000 when Butch Davis was the head coach. 

During his five years at Miami he recruited players such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Frank Gore, Dan Morgan, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Bryant McKinnie, Jeremy Shockey, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow II, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork and Antrel Rolle.

Over the last five years, the Hurricanes recruiting class has been less than stellar, but there is potential for the last couple classes. Here is my power ranking for the last five recruiting classes at Miami.

No. 5: 2012 Class

Five highest rated recruits: Tracy Howard (CB), Duke Johnson (RB), Angelo Jean-Louis (WR), Tyriq McCord (DE), Deon Bush (S)

Best actual recruits: N/A

Assessment: The only reason I have them ranked the lowest in the last five years is because none of them played a single down in college yet.

They obviously have potential to be the best class in the the last five years but they must prove it first.  There are plenty of recruits that were supposed to be great but never panned out.

Overall: I honestly do believe that this class could be one of the best Miami has had in awhile.

No. 4: 2010 Class

Five highest rated recruits: Seantrel Henderson (OT), Storm Johnson (RB), David Perry (DE), Brandon Linder (C), Kevin Nelson (LB)

Best actual recruits: Seantrel Henderson, Brandon Linder, Allen Hurns (WR), Maurice Hagens (FB), Clive Walford (TE)

Assessment: There have been some surprising players that came out of the 2010 class and some overrated ones as well.

The most notable player was Storm Johnson who showed great potential in his first year, but was unhappy and left for UCF after his freshman season. He did not participate last year due to NCAA transfer rules.

Henderson, who was listed as a 5-star recruit hasn't quite lived up to his potential due to numerous injuries the last couple years. I expect him to have a breakout season this year.

I would have to give Hurns the most valuable recruit based strictly on numbers. After spending his freshman year primarily on special teams, Hurns broke out last year at wide receiver ending the season third on the team in receptions and yards.

Overall: A solid class with good potential. The only reason they are this low in the last five years is because none of them truly had a breakout season yet. 

No. 3: 2009 Class

Five highest rated recruits: Ray Ray Armstrong (S), Prince Kent (CB), Brandon McGee (CB), Jamal Reid (ATH), Lamar Miller (RB)

Best actual recruits: Lamar Miller, Olivier Vernon (DE), Curtis Porter (DL), Mike James (RB), Brandon Washington (OL)

Assessment: If the actual stars of this class stayed for another year they could have made Miami a legitimate contender for the ACC championship this year.

Instead Miller, Vernon and Washington decided to forgo eligibility and try their talent in the NFL.  Personally I believe that Miller will be the only one that will actually pan out in the NFL.

Vernon and Washington each had good sophomore seasons at Miami, but both left after a subpar junior season.

Armstrong, who actually had the most potential coming out of high school, had a good sophomore season but suspensions last year limited his junior season. I am glad he is coming back for his senior year as this will be the year we can truly decide if he was yet another 5-star bust.

Overall: Miller was the only reason this class was better than the 2010 class. It was pretty much a toss-up for me between the two classes, but Miller's spectacular sophomore season pushed them ahead.

No. 2: 2011 Class

Five highest rated recruits: Anthony Chickillo (DE), Kevin Grooms ATH), Dallas Crawford (CB), Jalen Grimble (DE), Gionni Paul (LB)

Best actual recruits: Anthony Chickillo, Denzel Perryman (LB), Phillip Dorsett (WR), Dalton Botts (P)

Assessment: I know you are wondering why in the world I have the 2011 class ahead of both 2009 and 2011 classes and the reason is potential and numbers.

The other two classes had a few good players and a bunch of nobodies while this class has five legitimate studs.

No, none of them had the year that Lamar Miller had, but Chickillo and Perryman had outstanding true freshmen seasons.

Phillip Dorsett didn't play a lot last year, but with a depleted receiver corps this year, he will get plenty of touches and the way he has looked so far this spring, he may jump Allen Hurns for the No. 1 receiver spot.

Paul will also be stud at Miami and was on pace to possibly snag one of the starting linebacker positions, but injured his knee this spring and hasn't played since.

Botts was the surprise recruit for me as he ended up second in the ACC with 43 yards per punt, 28th nationally.

Overall: This class has already proved it was a terrific class, and it definitely has the potential to be one of Miami's best classes in years.

No. 1: 2008 Class

Five highest rated recruits: Arthur Brown (LB), Sean Spence (LB), Marcus Forston (DT), Brandon Harris (CB), Ramon Buchanan (LB)

Best actual recruits: Sean Spence, Brandon Harris, Travis Benjamin (WR), Tommy Steeter (WR), Jacory Harris (QB), Vaughn Telamaque (S), Jake Wieclaw (K)

Assessment: Even though this class never truly lived to its No. 1 rating ESPN gave them, it truly was the best class Miami had in the last five years.

Starting with their best player, Sean Spence not only led the Hurricanes in tackles in his four years (318), but also he was the leader of the defensive unit for the last two years.

Travis Benjamin also had a terrific career with Miami finishing in Miami's record books in the top 10 in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and kickoff return yards.

Even with all the hate Jacory Harris received during his time at Miami he will go down statistically as one of the best quarterbacks in Hurricane history, finishing his career third in passing completion percentage (60.1%), first in pass completions (703), first in pass attempts (1,170), second in passing yards (8.826), second in total offense (8,823) and second in touchdown passes (70).

Tommy Streeter didn't have a very good career, but did finish strong leading the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns as a junior. 

Brandon Harris didn't have a great amount of interceptions for Miami (four in three years) but developed into one of the best shutdown cornerbacks Miami has had in awhile. He was a two-time semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back in the country).

Vaughn Telamaque hasn't had the accolades like the above players had, but has been a solid safety for Miami the last three years. I see Telamaque breaking out this year and taking over as the unspoken leader for the defense.

Jake Wieclaw has only been the kicker for one year, but is already making waves as he was a semi-finalist for the Lou Groza Award (best placekicker in college football). He will be back next year for his final season.

Overall: I think that the 2011, and maybe even the 2012 class, can do better than this class, but as it stands now, this is the best class in the last five years.