4-Star WR Freddie Pinder Names Top 2: Is Miami or Tennessee Better Fit?

The Miami Hurricanes love keeping top in-state talent close to home. They love even more keeping talent in the greater city limits.

So when 4-star wide receiver Freddie Pinder told Ryan Bartow of 247Sports on Tuesday that Miami leads Tennessee and Alabama, you can bet Al Golden and assistant coaches James Coley and Brennan Carroll discussed methods of closing the deal. If they can get it done, Pinder can be the Hurricanes' 14th commit of the 2016 class, the fourth receiver pledge and the fifth from the city of Miami.

The key word, however, is "if." Tennessee is Miami's major competitor in the recruiting race, per Bartow, and the Volunteers won't go down without a fight. Alabama technically isn't in the picture, as the Crimson Tide are just showing interest and have yet to offer.

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#Miami, #Tennessee top two for four-star WR Freddie Pinder. http://t.co/96ODtkEEuE @RyanCallahan247 @jcshurburtt @coach_ddcooney @DavidLake3

— Ryan Bartow (@RyanBartow) February 11, 2015"

From a numbers perspective only, Tennessee would appear to be the better fit for Pinder. While the Hurricanes already have three receivers pledged, the Volunteers have yet to land a receiver commitment in what is a very early recruiting cycle.

Around January 2016, however, both Miami and Tennessee should have their classes filled, and if the Hurricanes are looking to have their receiver class locked up now, Pinder would fit best playing in front of a home crowd wearing green and orange.

Both teams showed their offensive production via the pass, so Pinder would fit in both offenses. The argument for Miami would involve Pinder being a complement to the potential slot receivers already committed.

Sam Bruce and Dionte Mullins are speed guys—and sub-6-footers—who can help spread the offense as inside receivers. Additionally, the Hurricanes spread the ball around to multiple receivers in 2014. Seven receivers had 20 or more receptions, and four receivers scored three or more touchdowns.

Miami's Duke Johnson rushed for nearly 1,700 yards, but Tennessee collectively was a better rushing team. The Volunteers didn't have the passing numbers the Hurricanes had, but with a relatively balanced offense, they spread the ball to multiple receivers in passing downs. Seven Tennessee receivers had at least 20 receptions last season.

At first glance, it's obvious why both schools are high on Pinder. At 6'5" and 185 pounds, Pinder is a long, tall target who will outplay many defensive backs in one-on-one situations. He's got decent speed, but his height—and how he uses it—will win over many college coaches.

Pinder has additional offers from Florida, LSU, Clemson, South Carolina, Arkansas, Louisville and a host of other programs. He was in attendance for Miami's junior day on Jan. 25 and told Rivals' CaneSport.com that the Hurricanes were "very far in front."

That's great news for Golden and Co., but it's not so great for Butch Jones and the Volunteers.

Fortunately for Tennessee, there's still time.

Back in September, Pinder told Bartow that he was a fan of Tennessee receivers coach Zach Azzanni, who recruits the South Florida area for the Volunteers. Whether Azzanni can land the big receiver over the Hurricanes remains to be seen.

No timetable for a decision has been set for Pinder, who is a top-60 receiver nationally and the No. 36 player from the state of Florida. If a decision is made soon, look for the Hurricanes to land another player from the city.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Damon on Twitter: @DamonSayles