Miami Hurricanes: Top 5 Recruiting Commitments for 2011

Thank God for a new season of Miami Hurricane football, as 2010 was definitely a year to forget.

With the over-scholarships that Miami had last year, the Hurricanes will sign less players this year. So Al Golden will have a very tough job finding great quality players as he has to limit on what he can get.

Miami has a need for multiple positions, especially with the recent announcement of Brandon Harris leaving after his junior year.

Miami is currently ranked 53rd overall on Scout.com recruiting list.

Here is a list of the top 5 that have verbally committed thus far to The U.

5. Nick Menocal, OLB

With the loss of Colin McCarthy, Miami desperately needs another blue collar linebacker, and they might have found it with Nick Menocal.

He has great size standing 6'2" and weighing 235 pounds.  His has decent speed as well, clocking in a 40 time of 4.59.

He fights off blockers very well and has a non-stop motor.

Nick played high school football at Belen Jesuit Prep School, so his level of competition was not what it was for other players in this class.

I really like the way he attacks the ball carrier and his size will be an advantage, especially after Miami gets him on a strength program, and we should see him at a stronger 245 by season's start.

Both Scout.com and ESPN.com have Nick listed as a 3-star recruit.

Camp Results:

40 yard dash: 4.59*

20 yard shuttle: 4.63*

Verticle Jump: 35.5"*

*ESPN Statistics.

Overall Grade: B

4. Phillip Dorsett, WR

Miami is losing one of their best receivers to ever play at Miami, Leonard Hankerson, so picking up a couple wide receivers was a must.

Out of the two commitments, Dorsett is the best one and a very exciting player.

His route skills seem to better then a lot of Miami's previous recruitment's and his cuts are dangerous, especially at a high school level.

Dorsett will not blow by defenders by any means (his camp results were a 4.43/40), but cornerbacks are going to have a hard time trying to stop his routes.  He seems very strong for only being 5'10" and 170 pounds, as he fights off jams very nicely.

I see him competing for a position right away, considering the lack of a third receiver on Miami's current depth chart.

Camp Results:

40 yard dash: 4.43*

20 yard shuttle: 4.28*

Verticle Jump: 36.5"*

*ESPN Statistics.

Overall grade: B+

3. Kevin Groomes, ATH/CB

With the loss of Brandon Harris at corner, Miami went out and got a very good replacement in all-around athlete Kevin Groomes.

From what I have seen and heard of this kid, really gets me excited about the next season.  He simply is ball of energy with a no quit attitude.

Grooms was a two-way star in high school rushing for over 9.4 yards per carry on offense and 32 tackles and two interceptions on defense.

Miami though, needs a cornerback, not a running back, thus there is no doubt he will be spending his time at a cornerback position.

The video's of Groomes are flat out amazing.  His over quickness reminds me a lot of West Virginia running back Noel Devine.

At 5'10" tall and 170 pounds, he needs to add a little more weight to become more effective on the jam.

ESPN did not have Camp Results.

Both Scout.com and ESPN.com have him as a 4-star recruit.

Overall Grade: A-

2. Dallas Crawford, CB

After a surprising twist of events, Crawford de-commited from Michigan to join the Hurricanes.

He is ranked 142nd in ESPN 150 Power Ranking and after watching some video I can see why. 

He played both sides of the ball in high school, but with Miami being set (somewhat) at quarterback, he will be moved to a cornerback and/or safety, where he can really shine.

Crawford has great size at 5'10", 185 pounds, amazing quickness, and is not afraid to hit anyone.

Hopefully he will turn out like another player he reminds me of, Ed Reed.

ESPN did not have Camp Results.

Both Scout.com and ESPN.com have him as a 4-star recruit.

Overall Grade: A

1. Anthony Chickillo, DE

Miami's only 5-star recruit has the biggest shoes to fill of them all, replacing Allen Bailey. Anthony Chickillo was a man-child against high schoolers across the state Florida.

A very strong and quick defensive end, Chickillo had 127 tackles and 18 sacks in his senior year.

He has amazing balance for a defensive end and although not nearly as strong as Bailey was, he might be a little quicker off the line and definitely has the quickness to burst around tackles and tight ends.

In the recent Under Armour game, Chickillo was voted as Red Teams MVP, recording 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

After watching the above video, you will see why he is listed as a 5-star recruit, he simply dominated on defense and left the opposing quarterback scared to death.

As everyone knows, there has been speculation on where Chickillo will really land.  According to ESPN, he is to meet with Golden this week to answer some questions he has.

Sources in our local newspaper state that he is keeping his verbal to Miami. Let's hope its true.

Camp Results:

40 yard dash: 4.9*

20 yard shuttle: 4.49*

Verticle Jump: 28.1" *

*ESPN Statistics.

Overall Grade- A+