UM Struggling On National Signing Day
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The University of Miami has put together a small recruiting class of 14 players as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, but it's quite a different haul than what the Canes pulled off last year on National Signing Day.
National Signing Day is the first day that college football recruits can sign letters of intent with their school of choice. It's become a multi-million dollar business and recruits have turned announcements into must-see television events for college football fans.
For the Hurricanes, the current crop of recruits has been hampered by the NCAA's bungled investigation into the school. UM hasn't used all of its scholarships this year and hasn't made nearly the waves it did last year in recruiting.
According to Rivals.com, a top recruiting site, the Canes' current class ranks 54th in the country. For comparison purposes, last year's class at UM ranked ninth in the country when the dust finally settled.
Of course last year, the Canes over-signed and brought in 33 players according to Rivals. This year, the Canes currently have 14 commitments and of those four have faxed in their national letter of intent as of 3 p.m., according to Rivals.
Some of the top players in the class include defensive backs Artie Burns and Jamal Carter of Miami, plus defense end Al-Quadin Muhammad and Kevin Olsen of New Jersey. All are four star rated players on Rivals. The Canes also have a massive tight end coming to town in 6'6", 250 pound TE Beau Sandland, a JUCO transfer.
They also signed emotional receiver Stacey Coley from Northeast High School.
"Basically It was just about the sanctions they were having there, I just tone it out, and it was decision, I sat down with my family, and said I'm going to the U," said Coley.
Former UM coach Randy Shannon is having the exact opposite day from current Canes coach Al Golden. Shannon and Arkansas have brought in a class ranked 26th in the nation including top running back Alex Collins of Miami.
"I know everybody is disappointed about the guys we didn't get today, but man, I wanna celebrate the Kevin Olson's , Al-Quadin Muhammad's and Stacy Coley's," said Golden.
Click here for more on FSU's recruiting class or UF's recruiting class.
