10 Recruits Mark Richt Should Prioritize at Miami for 2016

With former Georgia head coach Mark Richt now taking over the once mighty Miami program, his immediate focus will shift toward helping the Hurricanes close out the 2016 class on a strong note.

Richt, who is a Miami alum, will now try to salvage a class that currently ranks as the No. 19 class in the country.

However, considering Richt’s resume at recruiting and developing talent in Athens, he is a name that is likely to create a buzz among top recruits who are still considering the ‘Canes.

Which recruits should be on the top of Richt’s wish list?

*All players listed in alphabetical order.

4-Star DE Brian Burns

While he was at Georgia, Richt had put in the legwork for several talented 2016 prospects. 

Included among that group is 4-star defensive end Brian Burns.

As Kipp Adams of Dawgs247 notes, the Bulldogs were considered the leader for Burns in the summer.

With Richt relocating much closer to Burns' hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it makes sense for the new 'Canes boss to try and target an impact pass-rusher such as Burns. 

4-Star ATH Jamel Cook

With Richt's arrival, the rivalry with Florida State is one that should receive an instant boost, given that Richt was the Seminoles offensive coordinator prior to his tenure in Athens.

Before he can help the 'Canes end a six-year streak of failures against the hated 'Noles, he has to win battles over FSU on the recruiting trail.

Getting 4-star athlete Jamel Cook—a local product out of Central High School in Miami who is currently committed to the 'Noles—is a good place to start.

The rangy athlete is scheduled to be on campus this weekend for an official visit. Given Cook's versatility to be able to play a number of positions on defense, it would be a huge coup for Richt if he's able to convince Cook to stay closer to home to play his college ball. 

4-Star WR Nate Craig-Myers

Miami has had good skill position talent in recent years, but one thing that seems to be missing offensively is a dominant receiver who can take over a game against an upper-echelon opponent. 

Richt could solve that issue quickly by landing 4-star wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers—who told Bleacher Report last month that Miami is on his short list of schools that is in the mix to get one of his official visits. 

The 6'2", 205-pounder is the top pass-catcher in the state of Florida and the No. 3 receiver in the 2016 class.

Pairing him with current 'Canes commit Sam Bruce would go a long way toward adding some explosiveness to Miami's passing attack. 

3-Star TE Nick Eubanks

One staple of Miami's most dominant teams has been the presence of a game-breaking tight end in the passing game. 

The 'Canes 2016 class has two tight ends currently committed.

However, 3-star Nick Eubanks—who is a teammate of Burns at American Heritage High School in Fort Lauderdale—is a 6'6", 230-pounder who could prove to be an instant mismatch against linebackers and defensive backs. 

Georgia is among the schools he's considering, along with Alabama and Florida. With Richt now in South Beach, look for the 'Canes to make a move on a player who possesses a tremendous amount of upside at the next level.

5-Star ATH Mecole Hardman Jr.

Among Richt's priorities for Georgia's 2016 class was landing 5-star athlete Mecole Hardman Jr. 

The 5'10", 175-pounder, who took an official visit to Miami back in September, is believed to have the Bulldogs as his favorite. 

However, he took to Twitter to voice his approval of Richt landing with the Hurricanes.

Given Hardman's versatility to be a difference-maker at corner or receiver at the next level, he's the type of athlete who could be an impact performer next season if he chooses to follow Richt to Coral Gables. 

4-Star LB Zach McCloud

Credit: 247Sports

After being committed to Miami for nearly an entire year, 4-star linebacker Zach McCloud re-opened his recruitment last month in the wake of Al Golden's firing. 

McCloud even signed a grant-in-aid agreement with Miami shortly before the season. 

While schools such as Auburn and Florida State are making a strong push, McCloud took to Twitter to endorse the Richt hiring—even noting how Richt impressed his mother during a summer visit to Georgia. 

Getting McCloud, who is scheduled to be an early enrollee, back into the fold would be a major coup for the 'Canes 2016 class.

4-Star CB Trayvon Mullen

A common theme for Richt in Miami will be whether he can persuade most of the top athletes from South Florida to play for the U instead of heading elsewhere. 

With schools such as Clemson, Florida State and LSU heavily involved with him, 4-star corner Trayvon Mullen is an example of a national recruit in the 'Canes home territory that Richt would love to land. 

Mullen is the nation's No. 3 corner and a player who could help the Miami defense—which finished seventh in the ACC in pass defense, according to CFBstats.com. 

While Mullen hasn't been involved with Miami, it wouldn't hurt for Richt and the new staff to take a swing at one of the Sunshine State's premier skill talents. 

3-Star DE Joshua Uche

Similar to McCloud, the 'Canes had a stud once committed in 3-star defensive end Joshua Uche.

The 6'2", 212-pounder decommitted last month, with schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida and North Carolina among the programs coming after him.

However, he has an official visit set up with Miami for the weekend of Jan. 15. 

Uche also approved of the Richt hire via Twitter, which could bode well for Miami's chances of landing him in the end. 

4-Star WR Binjimen Victor

With talents such as Mullen, 3-star corner and current Georgia pledge Malek Young and 4-star receiver Binjimen Victor, Richt is sure to make a visit to nearby Coconut Creek High School in Fort Lauderdale.

When it comes to deep threats in the 2016 cycle, there's not many who are in the class of the 6'4", 170-pound Victor.

Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee and West Virginia are among the schools in the mix with Victor.

But Georgia was pursuing heavily earlier in the cycle, with Victor among the studs present for Georgia's Dawg Night camp in July. 

Given Richt's familiarity with Victor, the 'Canes could become a factor with the South Florida playmaker in the near future.

3-Star WR Keyshawn Young

Miami already has a dynamic pledge in Bruce who may line up in the slot in college.

However, Bruce has flirted with programs such as Florida and Ohio State and could be a player who opts to head elsewhere. 

Another electric slot receiver who could fill that void would be 3-star receiver Keyshawn Young out of Miami Senior High School. 

The 5'11", 175-pounder is considering the 'Canes along with Alabama and Michigan. 

Richt had offered Young while he was at Georgia. With the 'Canes looking to load up on talented receivers, Young figures to be a player who Miami turns up the heat on in the coming weeks. 

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. 

Follow @SanjayKirpalani