Miami Football: Players to Watch in High School All-American Games

The Miami Hurricanes' offseason begins with a kickoff of another variety—high school all-star games.

A few handfuls of prospects Miami coaches have targeted will be participating in the Under Armour, U.S. Army and Semper Fidelis All-American contests, which each take place in early January.

Between committed players and athletes still being recruited, the Hurricanes are well-represented in the showcase games—though two stick out.

Under Armour All-America Game

On Friday, Jan. 2, at 4 p.m. ET, the prospects will invade Tropicana Field, and Miami has its eyes fixed on five players.

Hailing from Miami Central High School, 4-star receiver Da'Vante Phillips is the No. 9 wideout in the 2015 class. According to Luke Stampini of 247Sports (subscription required), Phillips will announce his college decision during the Under Armour week but has already told that unknown coaching staff of his intents.

Granted, the 247Sports Crystal Ball shows 100 percent to Florida State, and the only two schools he officially visited were FSU and Miami.

Marcus Lewis is scheduled to take his official visit Jan. 16, having already taken trips to the other pair of programs remaining in his top three. Josh Edwards of 247Sports (subscription required) notes the 4-star athlete—who projects as a defensive back—will decide between the 'Canes, Kentucky and Washington State.

A 6'3", 305-pound 4-star defensive tackle, Kendrick Norton would fill a massive need for Miami. Per Christopher Stock of 247Sports (subscription required), Norton has scheduled an official visit to Coral Gables for Jan. 16 and will announce on signing day, Feb. 4.

John Houston will also declare his college intentions during signing day festivities. The 5-star outside linebacker visited Miami during Florida State weekend and put the Hurricanes in his final five, Stampini writes (subscription required).

Shawn Burgess-Becker committed to Alabama in mid-April, but Nate Adelson of 247Sports (subscription required) says Miami is still recruiting the 4-star athlete hard. If head coach Al Golden and Co. manage to flip Burgess-Becker, the pledge would be one of the staff's biggest victories this cycle.

U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Credit: 247Sports

Miami's pair of top commits, Jaquan Johnson and Jordan Scarlett, will take center stage at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The contest will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio Saturday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. ET.

Johnson, a 4-star safety from Killian High School—where Lamar Miller played—told David Lake (subscription required) of 247Sports he wants to "make a statement" against the country's premier talent.

Scarlett is the No. 8 running back prospect, edging fellow 4-stars and Hurricanes pledges Dexter Williams and Mark Walton. According to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports (subscription required), Scarlett has trimmed his list to UM, Florida and Florida State but still favors Miami, especially since he could replace a departing star:

"

Duke Johnson is just a great back. Tough loss. I see how they get him the ball. That's the guy. I want to be the top guy.

"

Tim Irvin and Devonaire Clarington are the key players to watch, however, because they will both commit to a school during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Horns247 staff said (subscription required) "though neither prospect explicitly tipped their hand, it was evident both prospects are set on playing together at the college level."

The former is a 4-star athlete who has long been considered a Hurricanes lean—largely due to family ties. However, Bartow notes (subscription required) Irvin is "unsure what hats will be on the table," but Miami, Texas, West Virginia and Florida are the noteworthy suitors.

Golden and Co. seem to have cooled on Clarington, a 4-star tight end many pegged as a must-get prospect over a year ago. In early December, Clarington told Lake (subscription required) Miami hadn't contacted him in a while but was hoping the 'Canes would soon.

Rasheem Green would absolutely be a steal for Miami, where he visited Nov. 15 for the Florida State matchup. Per Adelson (subscription required), the 5-star defensive tackle included the Hurricanes in his final four with USC, Oregon and Arizona State.

Lastly, Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports (subscription required) predicts 4-star receiver Lawrence Cager will choose "The U."

Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

Credit: 247Sports

Capping the exciting weekend is the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. ET.

This showcase is undoubtedly slower for Golden's staff since current commit Bar Milo and Florida Atlantic pledge Rashard Causey are the two noteworthy prospects.

Adelson notes (subscription required) Milo is "solid with Miami," and even though the 4-star offensive tackle might visit Nebraska, that trip isn't a sure thing.

As for Causey, according to Justin Rowland of Rivals (subscription required), Kentucky, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina and FAU are the schools most in touch with the local 3-star corner. Causey's 247Sports Crystal Ball shows the Hurricanes tied with Wisconsin at the top.

Recent decommit and 4-star quarterback Dwayne Lawson will also participate in the Semper Fi game.

Note: Recruiting information via 247Sports and quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.