Miami Football Recruiting 2012: The Top In-State Recruits Who Can't Slip Away

Al Golden enters his first full year in recruiting in Coral Gables, and while Golden had a solid class in his crash course session in 2011, 2012 looks to be the year he will try to make his mark on the trail. As we all know, Miami is one of the very top programs in the country. The U has fallen on some mediocre times in the recent years, but Randy Shannon did show in 2008 that Miami can land some top prospects.

2012 marks a ho-hum, normal year for players in South Florida and around the Sunshine State, as Florida is routinely one of the top three hotbed states for talent. There is a plethora of elite talent in the state again this year, and while some already have shown Miami likely won't be their destination, there still are crucial several prospects that have the Canes as a seriously school of interest.

Let's take a look at a couple of in-state prospects Golden and his recruiting coordinator Brennan Carroll must stay on hard to land in 2012.

6. Malcolm Lewis, WR

5'11", 170 pounds, Lewis is one of the fastest receivers in the state and a great deep threat. He's excellent with the ball as an RAC receiver and just makes play after play. Lewis has a burst in his release off the line, can eat cushion and get even in a flash. Yet, his best asset is just getting the ball, and he can factor also as a runner and return man as well.

He's taken an unofficial visit to Miami already and came away impressed with the environment and overall program. Florida and Florida State have also seen Lewis on campus as well.

He looks to be completely wide open right now, and Miami seems to be even with everyone else at the moment.

5. Noor Davis, LB

I list Davis as a linebacker right now, but he can easily wind up at defensive end in college. Already 6'4", 225 pounds, Davis is one of the top defensive players in Florida, and his versatility is highly attractive. Watching him on tape shows a player that could develop into a SAM 'backer on 1st and 2nd down and then put his hand and rush on 3rd down.

He took a recent visit to UCF that went very well, but routinely states that he is still wide open. Davis really seems keen on making the best decision for him, and his recruitment will be a calculated process until he signs his LOI.

Look for the Canes to try to be the last team standing for Davis.

4. D'Vario Montgomery, WR/LB

Montgomery played some linebacker for his high school squad last season, yet it seems like he will be a receiver in college. 6'2", 205 pounds, Montgomery is a pretty strong for perimeter player. He's big enough to fight his way off the line vs. press and flashes quickness out of his breaks to separate from defenders.

He will go and get the football at its highest point and looks like a potential prime time recruit.

He's the type of the layer you bring in to a program knowing you have insurance on him if he doesn't work out at his first spot. Montgomery can easily go over to either outside linebacker or strong safety if he finds his receiver development not happening fast enough.

Miami has offered Montgomery, who is wide open, and will continue to stay on him.

3. Ty Darlington, OL

Darlington is a big time offensive line talent and one of top trench uglies in Florida. 6'3", 265 pounds, he can play all five spots on the offensive front, but I think he can be an All-Conference center or perhaps left guard. Athletic and easy to pull and trap, Darlington plays with big time intensity and handles himself well on the field.

He's not just the typical interior phone booth mauler type, as Darlington can operate one on one as a pass protector and can also hit moving targets on the second level in the run game.

Art Kehoe, the legendary offensive line coach, has returned to Miami, and Darlington told Rivals that Kehoe is on him hard. Look for that not to change anytime soon.

2. Marvin Bracy, ATH

There is talk that Bracy may be the fastest player in the country. A 10.19 100 and reported 4.22 40 would turn that "talk" into perhaps truth. 5'10", 165 pounds, for defenses, Bracy is the player you hate. He's annoying, because you can't catch him.

He'll work you out of the slot as a receiver, attacking all three levels and showing solid hands. As well as being used as a runner on reverses, quick pitches and shuffles. Once he has the ball in his hands, Bracy lets his speed, quickness and elusiveness just guide him to pay dirt as his tape shows him basically running track on the gridiron.

He has medium interest in just about all of the 20 plus schools that have offered him, including Miami. He could remind Hurricane observers of Santana and Sinorice Moss if he heads to Coral Gables.

1. Nelson Agholor, ATH

Now, I'm not saying Agholor is the No.1 player in Florida, as this list is made up of the top players that seem seriously interested in Miami. Chris Black, Travis Blanks and John Theus all seem to be looking elsewhere right now. But Agholor may be the most athletic player in Florida, and that's saying something.

6'2", 180 pounds, Agholor could be a successful player at an array of positions in college. Running back, receiver, safety, cornerback, just name a position, and it would not be a shock to see Agholor develop into a great player there.

He lists Miami as one of the schools he's interested in and will look trim his list down to a top 10 towards the end of spring. He's slated for a visit to Tallahassee in the very near future, but Miami will definitely try to remain thick in the race.