Miami Football: Position-by-Position Grades for 2015 Recruiting Class

National signing day 2015 is now handily in the rearview mirror, and it's safe to hand out the grades from the Miami Hurricanes' class.

Although the incoming group might not be 100 percent finished, any short-term holdouts have officially signed. More specifically, the Canes grabbed a quarterback but lost a wide receiver in the hours following NSD.

Once the dust officially settled, Miami inked the nation's No. 27 haul, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

The grades are organized by positional unit and factor in potential of the talent signed, roster needs met and schematic matches.

Quarterback

Barring injury, Brad Kaaya isn't going to lose his starting position. Behind the sophomore, however, Miami is undeniably thin at quarterback.

The Hurricanes had that problem addressed in Dwayne Lawson, who was locked up until December. But the 4-star's decommitment left Al Golden and Co. in a difficult spot since most prospects had basically finalized their destinations.

Miami reached into Georgia and plucked 3-star quarterback Evan Shirreffs, a decent consolation prize in a tough spot. He completed 69.1 percent of his passes last season, throwing for 2,784 yards, 23 touchdowns and just four interceptions.

While Shirreffs likely won't make an impact as a reserve for another two seasons and probably won't start in Coral Gables, the Canes had the space to take a flier on the 6'5" gunslinger.

Grade: D+

Running Back

Credit: 247Sports

Mark Walton

Replacing Duke Johnson cannot be accomplished easily, but Golden is on the right track with Mark Walton.

As a senior at local high school Booker T. Washington, the 4-star prospect racked up 1,470 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, adding 24 receptions for 282 yards and four scores. He finished the cycle ranked 10th-best at his position.

Walton himself is an A-worthy signing. However, considering where the class once was, with 4-stars Dexter Williams, Jordan Scarlett and Jordan Cronkrite verbally pledged, the lack of a second back drops the position significantly.

Grade: C+

Wide Receiver

While the 2015 cycle was absolutely loaded with receivers, Miami had a chance at a trio of targets yet only came away with Lawrence Cager.

Similar to running backs, though, the Hurricanes came up short down the stretch. They lost longtime commit Terrell Chatman after signing day, which followed Antonio Callaway choosing Florida over UM.

A 3-star wideout from Maryland who stands 6'5", Cager will eventually give the offense a legitimate red-zone threat. He was listed as the No. 41 wide receiver upon signing.

Grade: C-

Tight End

Although Miami will be thin at tight end, Jerome Washington is anything but that. The 6'5", 260-pounder enrolled at the school for the spring semester, and he'll bolster a position that will be without leading target Clive Walford.

Washington isn't necessarily a plug-and-play signee since he needs to develop as a consistent run-blocker in order to gain meaningful snaps right away.

However, the 4-star was the top-ranked JUCO tight end prospect with plenty of room—and size—to become a solid weapon.

Grade: C+

Offensive Line

Consequent to the uncertainty along the offensive line, three of Miami's six signees have a decent chance at earning a spot in the rotation.

Tyree St. Louis is the prized piece of the unit, while Bar Milo and JUCO product Jahair Jones are expected to make an impact within the next two years.

Under veteran O-Line coach Art Kehoe, Tyler Gauthier could develop into a key reserve in the same time frame, though Brendan Loftus and Hayden Mahoney probably won't be factors until 2017.

The Hurricanes signed a well-rounded class, but they're relying on St. Louis or Jones to contribute early.

Grade: B

Defensive Line

Credit: 247Sports

Richard McIntosh

Golden and Co. snagged a few promising players for the defensive line, though none are the immediate savior for whom many Hurricanes fans have hoped.

Kendrick Norton is the highest-rated player of the bunch, Scott Patchan possesses the all-important buzzword phrase of "great motor" and Richard McIntosh has the most intriguing ceiling. Ryan Fines, a development defensive tackle, rounds out the group.

It's not likely that Miami will immediately utilize any of them in a big way, but the defense has a history of true freshmen receiving meaningful action—even if only for a few games.

Three years from now, this class could either be very strong or riddled with a few "could have been" athletes who didn't really pan out.

Grade: B-

Linebacker

"The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry," poet Robert Burns once wrote. While Miami had plans of grandeur at linebacker—the No. 1 position of need—it didn't achieve those goals.

Golden offered a scholarship to nearly 40 prospects at the second level, per 247Sports, but 3-stars Charles Perry and Jamie Gordinier were the only linebackers committed to Miami prior to signing day. Perry should fill a weak-side role while Gordinier progresses as an edge-rusher.

The Canes were in desperate need of another signee, so they snatched Booker T. Washington's James King, a necessary addition but an admittedly high-risk one. Special teams might be King's most notable landing spot.

Grade: C-

Secondary

Development is critical for the four new defensive backs since their collective ceiling is the highest of any 2015 unit.

Both Jaquan Johnson (5'10", 182 lbs) and Robert Knowles (6'1", 185 lbs) are currently undersized safeties, but they simply find the football. Johnson boasts instinctive play, while Knowles displays superb closing speed.

Although Michael Jackson (6'2", 190 lbs) and Sheldrick Redwine (6'1", 183 lbs) also need to add some weight, the thought of plus-size corners locking down the outside is an appealing notion for Miami.

Johnson enrolled early and should join the rotation right away, but the Canes can afford to allow a full season to the other three talents so they learn the system.

Grade: B

Note: Stats courtesy of CFBstats.com. All recruiting information via 247Sports and rankings based on 247Sports' composite rankings.

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