National Signing Day Looking Good For Manny Diaz And The Hurricanes
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) -- Alabama's Crimson Tide has lost a four-star cornerback to the University of Miami and head coach Manny Diaz on this National Signing Day.
Defensive back Christian Williams, who had been committed to the Crimson Tide since the spring, decided to flip and sign with the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Williams, the senior from Daphne, Alabama made it official at a signing ceremony at his high school.
BIG GET. The no fly zone gets even better! #WelcomeToTheU, @C_Will4. pic.twitter.com/F0sISw0WzC
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) February 6, 2019
"I will be spending my next three or four years," Williams said in an announcement at his school, "at the University of Miami."
Williams visited Miami, Texas A&M and LSU in the past four weeks. The Hurricanes, who did not recruit Williams early, made a late push after Diaz replaced Mark Richt as head coach.
Williams is the 20th ranked cornerback in the country and the No. 160 overall player in the country, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings.
National Signing Day got off to an early start for the Canes when Miami landed punter Louis Hedley from Australia.
It's official!! I'm a cane???????????? Thank you to everyone that has helped me get to this point. ????LETS GOO!! 3️⃣0️⃣5️⃣ #TNM #BEATUF @CanesFootball @ProkickAus @Coach_MannyDiaz @JohnnyPKA @CoachKalter @CoachKalter @67outlaw @CCSFFootball @tweetiebeattie @richiehedley pic.twitter.com/0kQj7a9Uh4
— Louis Hedley (@LouisHedley1) February 6, 2019
Hedley, a three-star recruit and one of the top punting prospects in the country, is listed as 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. He averaged 38.6 yards per punt in 2017. He redshirted in 2018 and should make an immediate impact for the Hurricanes, who struggled to flip field position last season.
As the day came to an en, Diaz added 8 transfers, bringing Miami's total for 2019's class to 23.
"Compared to where we were as a football team limping off the field at Yankee Stadium, I know we're a much better football team today," said Diaz. "Are all of our problems solved by today? They're not. But all of our issues have been addressed."
And that includes at punter. Miami went all the way to Australia to find Louis Hedley, who has already gone viral for his size, stature, and let's call it art work.
Headly is covered in tattoos.
"I think he should be the guy we send out for the coin toss every week," Diaz said with a smile. "See how they feel about that."
Other signings for the Hurricanes include:
3-star DT Jared Harrison-Hunte has signed with Miami.
The pipeline from ???? to the 305 is somethin' serious! #WelcomeToTheU, @jaredhunte19! pic.twitter.com/OiHLPMxolx
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) February 6, 2019
3-star QB Peyton Matocha has also signed with Miami.
Lone Star State ➡️ ????#WelcomeToTheU, @peyton_matocha! pic.twitter.com/Jb97J8bPGZ
— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) February 6, 2019
