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Miami Hurricanes' 2015 National Signing Day Wish List
January 26, 2015Miami Hurricanes' 2015 National Signing Day Wish List
The 2015 recruiting cycle is quickly approaching its most important date, so Al Golden and the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff are hard at work on the trail.
Since national signing day is Feb. 4, the leaders at Miami will be making their final pitches to highly touted recruits, hoping to add some elite prospects who should bolster the 'Canes in future seasons.
Obviously, Miami can't earn a signature from everyone, but "The U" would love to receive a national letter of intent from a handful of key players on its wish list.
Remaining targets are broken down into five categories based on various criteria, including proximity, common school, position, location and current commitment status. The prospects are organized on each slide according to their ranking.
South Florida Talent
Miami currently holds 10 commitments from South Florida prospects. Two—Jaquan Johnson and Scott Patchan—have enrolled, but the 'Canes are still chasing three players south of Interstate-4.
Antonio Callaway: A 4-star receiver from Miami-area high school Booker T. Washington, Callaway provides the speed threat Brad Kaaya needs on the outside. He took his official visit Jan. 16, and Miami will compete with Florida for his commitment—and ultimately, signature.
Fredrick Johnson: The Hurricanes must replace three starting offensive lineman, and 3-star Johnson would help Miami's uncertain depth up front. David Lake of 247Sports notes the Hurricanes have an excellent chance to land Johnson, who visited Jan. 16.
Shelton Johnson: One of the most notable remaining targets on the defensive line, Johnson visited Miami on Jan. 23. The 3-star has also traveled to Virginia Tech and Michigan, while Florida State is set to receive Johnson's final weekend trip before signing day.
Junipero Serra Duo
Of the few thousand recruits across the nation, only 35 prospects earned 5-star status from the 247Sports composite rankings. Junipero Serra (CA) High School, however, has two of them, and the 'Canes are in the final group for both athletes.
Rasheem Green: Miami has been looking for a high-impact defensive tackle, and Green is one of the best potential fits in that category. Per Nate Adelson of 247Sports, the 5-star "admitted that one school holds an advantage privately." Green was in Coral Gables in mid-November, and the 'Canes must out-duel USC, Oregon and Arizona State for the 6'5", 275-pound standout.
John Houston: Although talent needs to be bolstered in the trenches, Miami simply must add linebackers to its roster. Graduation and dismissals have contributed to the Hurricanes' thin linebacker corps, so Houston is a top remaining target based purely on need. Adelson writes Houston is "torn" between his finalists—Miami, USC, Oregon, Oklahoma and Arizona State. The 5-star was also on campus the weekend of Nov. 15.
Defensive Linemen
As mentioned on the opening slide, the Hurricanes certainly cannot take everyone on the list. Not every prospect will choose Miami—shocking, of course—so the 'Canes might pass on one of the following players should a more prominent target commit.
Kendrick Norton: At the top of the team's most realistic list on the defensive line is Norton, a 3-star tackle from Jacksonville, Florida. He visited Coral Gables on Jan. 16—Miami's busiest recruiting weekend of the year—and very well could choose The U over Ole Miss and Auburn.
Austrian Robinson: Maryland will be a tough team to overcome, but Miami is still pushing for Robinson. Per Adelson, the 3-star said the Hurricanes jumped Ole Miss and Ohio State following a Jan. 16 visit, though that could change after his final trips.
Russell Ude: Currently committed to California, Ude has a few excellent options from which to choose. The 3-star end holds offers from 37 schools, and he visited Miami on Jan. 16 and Cal on Jan. 23. Ude isn't a likely candidate to flip, but Golden's door is obviously open.
Kevin Scott: The 'Canes extended an offer to Scott on Jan. 15, and the 3-star tackle followed up the scholarship with a trip to campus Jan. 23. Ryan Bartow of 247Sports notes Scott "loved absolutely everything" and said Miami is "definitely in the picture"—one that currently has no leaders.
Simi Moala: According to Adelson, Moala will visit the school Jan. 30. The defensive end is an unranked prospect, but he'd further the Hurricanes' budding California pipeline and add a massive frame (6'7", 250 pounds) to the line.
Out-of-State Targets
Right now, Miami has eight verbal pledges from athletes outside of Florida. Excluding the Junipero Serra duo and defensive linemen, the Hurricanes have three top out-of-state options.
Marcus Lewis: The 4-star is down to Miami, Kentucky and Washington State, though it appears Lewis has a two-team race at the top between the 'Canes and 'Cats. Lewis traveled to Coral Gables on Jan. 16 before receiving an in-home visit from Kentucky coaches Mark Stoops and Tommy Mainord four days later.
Mohamed Barry: Now that Saleem Brightwell has committed to Pittsburgh, 3-star linebacker Barry's place near the top of the Hurricanes' board is solidified. The Kansas State pledge also visited Miami's campus Jan. 16. Nebraska is also in the picture.
Evan Shirreffs: While the Hurricanes didn't contact Shirreffs until late in the process, they still beat most teams to the Georgia quarterback. Adelson notes the 6'5" gunslinger would likely commit if Miami offers him. However, it's not clear if Shirreffs will receive the scholarship since the 'Canes have Kaaya under center and more pressing needs at other positions.
Currently Pledged to Miami
Recruiting is a fluid concept. An uncommitted recruit may have no idea where he's headed, or he might be a silent pledge. A committed prospect can be 100 percent locked in to a program, or he might be exploring elsewhere.
Miami has two verbal pledges who haven't shut the door on other options. And yes, that's OK.
Jordan Scarlett: Long considered the best offensive player in Miami's 2015 haul, Scarlett is still being pursued by Florida and Florida State. The 4-star running back visited The U on Jan. 16, Gainesville on Jan. 23 and will travel to Tallahassee on Jan. 30.
Terrell Chatman: Since Golden, offensive coordinator James Coley and receivers coach Brennan Carroll were each present for a recent in-home visit—per Adelson—it's clear the Hurricanes think very highly of 3-star wideout Chatman. TCU and Arizona State are also contenders for his signature.
Note: Recruiting information via 247Sports. Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.