I want to throw up...

To hell with all the corrupt City of Miami politicians who let this happen. We live in a day and age where money is all that matters and we'll sell out a hundred years of tradition for a buck. Pathetic.

The Orange Bowl teardown is underway - see photos below - and for anyone who sat in that stadium and cheered the Canes (or Dolphins) on to victory - today is a dose of reality nobody was ready for. It was one thing to 'hear' the OB would soon be gone, but watching it torn apart by machines? It's gut wrenching. These photos may as well be of a loved one on that conveyor belt going into the flames at a crematorium.

I "get" the business decision behind this as it didn't make sense to sink $200-300M into a stadium that saw use six Saturdays a year. But I don't get why 1) renovations weren't made a decade ago, before little problems became big ones and 2) why the city couldn't find something to do with the stadium the other 359 days per year. There had to be SOME want to generate some revenue here.

C'est la vie. What's done is done. One last farewell to my ol' girl the O.B. and one last F.U. to the scumbags who let this nightmare become a reality...

Latest at The U...

Stole the above pic from someone's avatar on a message board. Liked the shot of some of the Northwestern kids, as well as the positive message about Miami being in their way "back" after living the past few years on the decline. It's time to get excited again, people. The Canes are 'baby stepping' their way back to prominence. Get on board. As for what's going on at The U this past week...

Before we get all jacked up with spring ball and recent recruiting news, another huge dose of props for this Miami Basketball team. The Canes are now riding a four-game win streak, all against solid conference foes - Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Duke and Maryland - and four games remain; Clemson, Virginia, Boston College and Florida State.

A few more wins are necessary for an NCAA berth and the action starts tonight against a feisty Clemson team looking for revenge after a late game collapse against Miami a few weeks back.

Definitely an interesting storyline as many wrote off these Canes a few weeks back after a midseason skid. Frank Haith has done a good job getting his kids refocused and rededicated. Tonight will be a feat and the streak has to end sometime, but Miami is only a few wins away from most likely making the dance.

Note for the out of towners, the Boston College game on March 5th will be carried nationally by ESPN U at 7pm ET.

Miami Baseball got off to a good start, sweeping Cincinnati opening weekend. The Canes are still #2 in the Rivals.com poll but only #9 in the Baseball America standings. A meaningless exhibition loss to the Florida Marlins this week will prove as a tune up for the visiting Florida Gators this weekend. Still feels too early to get fired up for college baseball, but a showdown with UiF always gets the juices flowing.

On the recruiting front, some big names are headed to The U... in 2009. A #1, #3 or #4 recruiting class in '08, depending on which site you follow - Randy Shannon is already thinking next year.

Bryce Brown ended all the chit-chat, committing last week and following big brother Arthur Brown to Miami. The younger Brown is a five-star running back out of Wichita, KS who will immediately bolster a good but not great Miami ground game. The Canes also got recent commitments out of A.J. Highsmith - son of Alonzo - and Arizona tight end Billy Sanders.

You don't really want to get too excited about kids committing almost a year in advance, but all three recent verbals give you reason to believe. Brown wanted to end the recruiting game and get his commitment out of the way so he can focus on his senior season. Big brother was led to Miami and B.B. based his decision and his faith. The Brown family handled the recruiting process with class and it'd be a shock if the younger Brown wound up anywhere other than Miami.

The younger Highsmith grew up a diehard Cane and wanted to ink his commitment as well. He didn't talk the talk and fail to walk the walk like some other second generation Canes. Dad was a star at The U, son felt that some bond and wanted to make it official.

Regarding Sanders, we don't know much about him yet, but you do have to like a recent quote after his verbal to The U -- "I'm committed and I'm not taking any other visits. That's what `committed' means."

Spring ball is officially a few days underway and the attitude already sounds different. No disrespect to some recent Canes, but there are some guys whose names I was sick of hearing entering another year. Guys on scholarship who weren't carrying their weight, promised to come back stronger, faster, better a year later - but come fall, it was the same disappointing result on the field.

The past few years have been so Groundhog Day-esque that it's hard not to get excited just at the premise of watching the young talent develop and finally take the field. Be it the Northwestern kids who came in this year or last year's freshmen like Robert Marve, Jermaine McKenzie and Leonard Hankerson finally getting to strut their stuff.

I can't attend practice out here on the left coast, but I'm getting my news sent back to be from my media buds and other locals who are in the know. Hankerson and freshman Aldarius Johnson were the big names today and we're seeing yards after catches - which hasn't been a staple of any Miami offense since 2003.

The attitude is upbeat for real this time. Not a fabricated excitement from a bunch of retreads coming off a rough season. This is youthful exuberance. Kids who are truly hungry to play football for the University of Miami. Kids from winning high school programs who are picking up where they left off and continuing with their winning ways.

Camaraderie and excitement seem to be the name of the game right now. This team has a loooong way to regarding getting back to the top, but we're seeing steps in the right direction and there's reason to be excited.

For the Damien Berry enthusiasts out there, the fiery safety has changed his number from #38 to #20. Not comparing Berry to the next Ed Reed, but year one on special teams he proved he was a hard hitter, a competitor and had that fire in the belly. On one level, it's just a number... but asking to wear the number sported by an all time great Miami safety? It goes right in line with the type of player many think Berry will become at The U.

Looking for more ink and reason to get excited, check out some stuff from Herald.com come this week. Kudos to the folks over there and all their coverage. Manny Navarro has gotten really in depth with his coverage of spring ball while Susan Miller Degnan had a nice write up about the first practice, the speed and tempo. Check it out.

Miami 96, #5 Duke 95...

I don't give Miami Basketball the love Miami Football gets around here, but the other Canes definitely deserve some front page props for their upset of No. 5 Duke earlier tonight.

Miami hadn't beaten Duke in 45 years - and almost blew a 20-point lead down the stretch, before two Jack McClinton free throws put the Canes up by four before a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer, earning a hard-fought 96-95 victory for The U.

Dwayne Collins scored a career high 26 points and Miami made six of eight free throws in the final 41 seconds to preserve the upset.

Much respect given to this Canes team regarding their tenacity down the stretch here. After a three-game losing streak that started the end of January (Wake Forest, Duke and Florida State) the then 15-7 Canes were faced with a handful of do or die, season changing games and have prevailed. Miami has since won back-to-back road games at Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech before upsetting Duke this evening.

Sitting at 18-7 and 5-6 in the ACC, Miami needs a few more wins for a shot at this year's NCAA tourney. Miami gets Maryland on Saturday and then closes out the season at Clemson, Virginia, Boston College at at Florida State on March 8th, looking for revenge.

Could be an interesting few weeks for the Canes and this team finally has my attention. Hopefully they can make something happen. Kudos to Frank Haith and this 'never say die' bunch.

Former All Sports (allCanes) employee wins Super Bowl!

That's right, Canes fans Super Bowl winner Jeff Feagles actually worked at allCanes (then known as All Sports) back in the day. Ol' Eli Manning may have wanted to go to Disney World after beating the New England Patriots, 17-14 but his kicking teammate headed a little bit further south than Orlando - Coral Gables, to be exact.

Jeff and the fam stopped by to say 'hello' and to load up on some Canes gear. The twenty-year NFL vet still bleeds that orange and green - and he remembers where he came from. Feagles is one of the good guys and it was great to see him get his.

Congrats to Jeff, not just for the Super Bowl victory - but also for his recent and deserved induction to the University of Miami Hall of Fame. Thanks again for stopping by.

Once a member of the U Family, always a member.

Shannon cleans house, AD hired, Canes rolling...

Some new news in the world of all things Canes-related. Still recovering from the post-recruiting wake, a 34th birthday and an impending move into a new casa. Canes305 apologizes for the lack of blogs since the recruiting class was inked, but instead of dropping excuses and seeking approval, let's just dive in head first...

"How 'bout them Canes?" I'm sure Jimmy Johnson let that one out at some point last week after seeing protege Randy Shannon sign ESPN's #1-rated recruiting class. Scout.com ranked Miami's class #3 and Rivals.com had the Canes #4.

Whatever the case, safe to say you didn't see all that many 5-7 reeling in top flight talent. Miami did. Shannon put a fence around the Tri-City area and kept Bobby Bowden and Urban Meyer out of South Florida. The Canes inked 33 recruits last week. Eight early enrollees will count towards the 2007 class and many are expected to have a big time impact in fall 2008.

A lot of folks have questioned Shannon the past fourteen months on the job. Other coaches recruiting against him told recruits he'd be gone in two years. Fans have gone so far as to chastise him regarding the process instead of the result - arguing over what was said before some off-season firings instead of simply being satisfied they took place.

A top-ranked recruiting class will hopefully shut up most of the critics and let opposing Sunshine State coaches know that the past few years in Coral Gables were a fluke, not a trend. Truly sit back and marvel at what Shannon just pulled off. This class was nothing short of amazing.

Many are quick to mention the jury is still out regarding Shannon's on the field coaching. The man can recruit, but can he coach? We'll see.

Those who read this blog know I'm a Shannon supporter. I believe he turns it around and gets the last laugh. This isn't an outsider. This is a former player. A guy Jimmy J called one of the smartest football minds he'd ever been around. Shannon understands the game. He learned from the best. He knows how to recruit and there's no doubt he knows how to develop talent.

Even when Miami's offense went in the toilet the past few years, the Canes defense was a constant until 2007. 9-3 seasons could've been much worse had the Miami defense not flat out won some ball games.

The Canes are one step closer and the fan base has two choices; either remain pessimistic and unexcited about what's going on, needing to 'see it on the field' this fall - or get excited each step in the journey. Miami is rebuilding and this is a foundation class. These kids who will suit up this fall? These are your juniors and seniors when the Canes are back in the thick of it.

A lot of folks took the last run (1999-2003) for granted. Don't do that this time. Enjoy each milestone reached along the way. The Canes just brought home a top-ranked recruiting class. Get fired up and start counting down to spring ball.

There were definitely some recruiting day lowlights regarding a few almost Canes who got away. That said, it was hard to get too down and out based on who was reeled in and those last minute steals. None better than getting Ramon Buchanan back from Florida. I received a handful of emails and took some grief from UiF buds when Buchanan chose the dark side a few weeks back. Funny how my Inbox hasn't been lit up since Signing Day...

Florida brought in a solid, class... but you're supposed to when you have The Myth running the show, Heisman McJeanShorts behind center and are one year removed from a championship. Miami burst back on the scene based on reputation, the family atmosphere, Shannon's work ethic and the desire to right the ship.

Meyer's hearing footsteps and just found out it'll be that much harder to do his job without Larry Coker dropping the ball recruiting-wise down in the 305.

Brandon Harris was definitely another highlight of Signing Day. Maybe I'm just scored from losing out with the hat game the past few years, but I still don't believe it until I see it. Things change and supposed 'locks' wind up elsewhere. Harris pulling that Miami helmet out of the bag was huge... as was seeing Ohio State as one of the teams he turned down. Can't wait to see the impact he has on that Canes/Buckeyes game as a junior in 2010 and hope like hell he's around for the return trip in 2011.

Rumors out of Gainesville this week is that former Miami OL recruit and Florida signee Matt Patchan could be moved to tight end. The week before, his old man wrote a column and posted it online regarding his defense of Junior heading to Gainesville instead of the Gables.

I could care less either way. Patchan had a shot and turned it down. Miami reeled in Brandon Washington and Ben Jones to anchor the line. Whatever the case, why does this Patchan thing feel more and more like Jonathan Colon all over again? Something tells me we'll keep hearing this kid's name for one reason or another...

The Vaughn Telemaque announcement was a good one, as well. Nice to see Miami dipping into that west coast talent. Shannon cherry picked Arthur Brown from Kansas and pulled another out of his hat with Telemaque in California.

For those who missed the announcement, check it out. Telemaque looks the part, talks the talk and seems like has that whole Canes vibe... and Shannon stole him from Pete Carroll and USC. Another feather in Randy's cap.

No sooner was the class inked than the 2008 football schedule was released. Check out how it all unfolds: (8/28) Charleston Southern... (9/6) @Florida... (9/20) @Texas A&M... (9/27) North Carolina... (10/4) Florida State... (10/11) Central Florida... (10/18) @Duke... (10/25) Wake Forest... (11/1) @Virginia... (11/13) Virginia Tech... (11/20) @Georgia Tech... (11/29) @N.C. State

Miami gets back-to-back, primetime Thursday night games (Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech) and a nationally televised game against Florida (on CBS). Florida State is right back where it belongs - the first week of October - and the Canes get two nicely placed open dates - 9/13 and 11/8.

A position change has been discussed regarding Allen Bailey for a while now and it's official. Bailey will move from linebacker to defensive line, which seemed a no-brainer for the large in size and athletically gifted Bailey.

Miami has a new athletic director in Kirby Hocutt, hired last week. Hocutt officially takes over for Paul Dee on June 1st. Like most, I'm not really all that in the know regarding Hocutt. I've heard the name, but I know little about the history there other than what I've read. 

I do like a few things, on the surface. Hocutt is on the climb, hungry at 36 years old and ready to make some big moves. At Ohio, he increased fundraising by more than 75 percent. Football ticket sales increased 112 percent and men's basketball by 50 percent. The Bobcats won 11 team championships on Hocutt's watch and four head coaches were recognized as conference Coaches of the Year. 

At Oklahoma, Hocutt led the Sooners annual giving to an all-time high in annual giving and capital campaigns. Between 1998-2005, OU's annual giving increased from $3.4M to over $17M. 

I realize more encompasses the title of athletic director than just worrying about the football program. That said, I'm all for more ticket sales and fundraising. On paper, Hocutt sounds like a good hire. In time we'll see if that proves correct. 

In 'other' sports news, Miami basketball stopped its three-game losing streak with a 74-71 upset of Virginia Tech. It was the Canes first ACC road win of the year. Miami has been a disaster since starting out 14-1. Seven conference games left this season and the Canes need to get back to winning ways. Also, if this team wants to keep the attention of a fickle fan base, it needs to be better than 2-6 in its last eight games. 

Better news regarding Miami baseball as the Canes opened the preseason with a No. 2 ranking. Gear up for the season opening series February 22nd-24th against visiting Cincinnati.

And so it begins...

Welcome home and welcome back. Early news out of The U today has been nothing but good. Randy Shannon is doing something his predecessor was accused of never doing - closing strong.

Shannon has Signing Day by the tail and Miami has reeled in three big fish this morning.

First up, Ramon Buchanan. He was a Cane, went over to the dark side at Florida for a few weeks and this morning recommitted to the University of Miami. Welcome back. Buchanan saw the light before it was too late and the four-star safety out of Melbourne is a huge get for the Canes.

A surprise to some, but not to others, Tommy Streeter made it official this morning and decided to stick with his Northwestern teammates and sign on with The U. Some tried to downplay the need of Streeter. I think it was a defense mechanism and a way to process all the talk of him going out of state. South Carolina seemed to be the front-runner for a while.

Instead, Streeter stayed home and Miami just landed a 6'6", 200 pound, four-star wide receiver who will immediately have an impact on this program. The Canes have been beyond weak at the position the past few years, but in the past few years Shannon has now addressed this and Miami is pretty much loaded at the position. In a few years, scary loaded and possibly the nation's best.

As expected, offensive lineman Ben Jones signed on with Miami today. A teammate of Streeter and a slew of other "Bull Canes", Jones was a top priority of Canes coaches. Miami wouldn't let hte 6'5" and 280 pound, four-star tackle get away.

In other news, we're hearing that Jeremy Lewis confirmed his commitment to The U, squashing my fears that his recent wavering would have him Clemson bound. Seems like Lewis was Canes all the way and just wanted his day in the sun. He got it and Miami got him.

Marcus Robinson has also been confirmed to Miami, which is comforting after a little rumored wavering as of late and Kendal Thompkins made it official this morning as well. I thought Miami might not have space for Thompkins after the signing of Streeter, but I was wrong and it's one more Bull headed to The U.

If my numbers are correct, that's thirty commitments to Miami as of now - a handful as early enrollees who count towards last year's class.

More to come today.... Updates will be timestamped below:

12:03pm ET - Terrelle Pryor just showed up at his presser on ESPN U to tell everyone that he had nothing to say. Call me crazy, but just cancel the event, kid. Who calls a conference to say they have nothing to say? 18-year olds who don't deserve full on press conferences to announce the college of choice, that's who.

12:20pm ET - Jamie Harper to Clemson. The Jacksonville RB stuck with his gut. I wrote last night that I felt he'd wind up a Tiger. The Canes were on board late in the process and Harper stuck with his top choice all along.

12:32:pm ET - Julio Jones to Alabama. Hardly a shock that this Foley (AL) product stayed home. Especially with Nick Saban running the show and the Tide's potential.

12:47pm ET - TJ Lawrence just entertained us all with his oh-so-clever hat trick. Look, I don't mind kids having the hats up there to make the decision and then choosing one, a la Arthur Brown. But shuffling the hats around like a street vendor doing the ball and cup trick? Dumb. Lawrence chose the Gators, which isn't really a shock. Typical that he acted like a punk in the process.

12:54pm ET - Mike Gottfried just made fun of Lawrence for playing 'three card monte' with the hats. I feel vindicated.

12:59pm ET - Brandon Harris picked Miami over Ohio State and LSU. Maybe the biggest get of the day based on the Canes needing to replace the loss of PJ to LSU. Gotta love Harris slapping on helmet instead of a hat. Credit to the kid for not playing the game and trying on hat after hat (helmet after helmet might've been too much...) and just getting up there, making a choice and starting the celebration. Miami doesn't need the drama queens.

1:07pm ET - Gottfried just gave all the recruiting credit to Joe Pannunzio as Miami's top recruiter and praised the hiring of Bill Young, but failed to mentioned Micheal Barrow and Clint Hurrt who have absolutely been the show stoppers this off-season. No disrespect to Pannunzio... but get your facts straight, Gott.

1:12pm ET - T.J. Bryant of Lincoln (Tallahassee) chose Southern Cal over Miami and Florida State. Big pick up for the Trojans. Would've liked to see Bryant in the orange and green, but better he went west than staying home and sporting the garnet and gold. A wash as far as losing a Sunshine State recruit.

1:26pm ET - At some point I missed Nick Perry to Southern Cal. Perry chose USC over Miami and Michigan earlier today. Not really a shock that he didn't come to The U, but a little surprised he headed west. Nice feather in the cap for the Trojans.

Pretty much done on the recruiting front for today, barring any last minute surprises. In the end, Miami landed six of the nine kids we wrote about last night. Buchanan, Harris, Jones, Lewis, Streeter and Thompkins should have Miami fans rejoicing today. Almost three dozen new Canes headed to campus and many of them will have an immediate impact in 2008.

Side note, word is Patrick Johnson is rethinking his commitment to LSU and supposed was told 'scram' by Miami coaches earlier today. Gotta love that turn of events after he left the Canes at the altar a few weeks ago...

Let's throw it at the wall and see what sticks...

Signing Day. Finally here. Partially exciting because a slew of new Canes will be born. Officially the 'greatest thing ever' as it means terms like "my source", "all signs point to", "officially a lock" and several more will finally be retired until next year.

The off-season has become almost as brutal as the day-to-day of a 5-7 campaign. No news is welcome and everything is up for debate. Someone has a tip from a 'source' and throws it up online? It's torn apart within seconds and a one's virtual credibility is shredded by opinionated folk for hours.

Everyone thinks they know, but at day's end... nobody has a clue.

Seriously.

Big time sites will push their 'breaking news' and inside scoop, but what does that really mean? Only one person knows. The kid in question. Outside of that, maybe mom and dad know what's up - but aren't in the business of leaking info.

Hell, they enjoy the game as much as their college bound teenage student athlete.

Coaches and teammates? Clueless. How could they when most future signees are still flip-flopping up until Signing Day?

Oral commitments are meaningless. Until coach gets them to sign on the line that is dotted, you can choose to believe... but don't act surprised when a kid does a 180. It's part of the game if you get roped in. All fan bases endure it. Welcome to the hell that is recruiting.

26 kids are all but official for Miami. Signatures are forthcoming for others, while over half dozen kids enrolled early and counted towards 2007's lot.

Before going any further, something needs to be acknowledged. Randy Shannon, Micheal Barrow and Clint Hurtt recruited their asses off - as did the rest of the Miami staff.

A lot of you are going to piss and moan tomorrow about the ones who got away - instead of giving thanks that thirtysomething new Canes in the fold after buying into this staff's message on the heels of 5-7 and 7-6. Not to mention, two assistants let go in the off-season, two added within weeks and recruiting didn't miss a beat.

At day's end, one of the nation's top classes will sign with Miami. Whether it grades out #1 or #8 at day's end - keep things in perspective. These coaches already overachieved if they didn't sign another kid tomorrow.

For those who miss it or chose to ignore it, Miami spent the past two years in the toilet. How many other 5-7 teams are threatening to land a top-rated class?

Nada.

The Canes take a giant leap forward on Wednesday. One step closer to being significant again.

This class is the building block - similar to that 1999 class which sparked a return to prominence. Guys like Ken Dorsey, Philip Buchanon, Vernon Carey, Andre Johnson, Bryant McKinnie, Clinton Portis, etc. Those kids came aboard to rebuild and be part of something special.

Say the same for this class of 2008.

Entering tonight, I figured there were 10 kids who were on the fence and legitimate options for Miami tomorrow. The number dropped to nine when Gavin Hardin announced for the Canes a few hours ago. Hardin chose Miami over Ole Miss.

A three-star at 6'5" and 225 lbs. Grew up loving the Canes.

One down and nine to go. Based on my earlier assessment that no one really has a clue what these kids will do, let's just throw some predictions at the wall and see what sticks. Anyone can play along. We've all read every hype article Scout and Rivals produced. Any bone they'd throw to spike page views - it became a hot topic.

Matt Patchan was a hotter topic than Britney going 5150 and on lockdown.

Regarding these final nine, here's my two cents. Take it our leave it. No bull. Just predictions. No inside scoop. I've read everything y'all have everywhere I could, I processed it, I watched how the class filled up and with only a few scholies remaining, here's how I think it shakes down:

T.J. Bryant - Four-star CB out of Lincoln (Tallahassee). Once a Nole lock, Bryant started thinking Miami and the Canes are thought to be the silent front runner. Miami doesn't usually pull Lincoln kids, though a few do slip through the cracks and find South Florida. Especially with Shannon running the show. Bryant heads to Coral Gables and Cane coaches improve those northern Florida inroads. - The Pick: Miami

Ramon Buchanan - A Canes lock for over half a year, the four-star safety was won over by the "charm" or Urban Myth on a recent recruiting trip. Still, Buchanan took an official visit to The U last weekend. Word is mom wants UiF and RB wants to be a Cane. Does son respect mom's wishes and follow her heart, or does mom let son make the decision he feels is right. It's been Florida for 2 weeks... it was Miami for nine months. R-Buch comes back to his senses. - The Pick: Miami


Jamie Harper - Not a must-get for Miami thanks to a solid crop of high school backs for 2009, but a huge pick up. A four-star back out of JAX, Harper is said to be down to Miami, FSU, Clemson and Illinois - with UM and CU the leaders. I wouldn't be shocked if Harper chose Miami, but I think The U came along late after the kid was already digging the situation at Clemson. If he picks Miami, it'll be part of a banner day for Miami. I still think Tigers, though. - The Pick: Clemson


Brandon Harris - Mr. Harris could've made life a lot easier committing already, but he's enjoying the game. It's down to Ohio State or Miami, but UCF was recently mentioned. Harris is Cane coaches top priority and won't get away if he even remotely wants to play for The U. Once PJ bailed for LSU, this was a must-get. Both sides realize the need. Harris stays home and faces the Buckeyes as a Cane in a few years. - The Pick: Miami



Ben Jones - Jones says it's down to Clemson and Miami and said the school he'll choose is family, coaches and players are close, etc. Sounds like the local product is staying local, but is it a smoke screen? A few kids talking Miami vs. Clemson - so it's safe to expect a split. Jones is local, teammates are on board and coaches need him on the OL. They've been in his ear since Patchan chose the dark side and that'll be too much to walk away from. - The Pick: Miami



Jeremy Lewis - Like Buchanan, very solid commitment for a long time but developed a wandering eye. I'm 50/50. If Lewis didn't have doubts, he'd have made it more official by now. I think this is a game time decision and will come down to Miami or Clemson. In reading up on Lewis, it sounds like he's wavering. I hope I'm wrong but something tells me this four-star might want to make a splash in a smaller pool as the Canes are on a roll and chock full of big names already. - The Pick: Clemson


Nick Perry - This is the 'edge of my seat' pick of the day. Perry is a baller, but I'm thinking of the feather in Shannon's cap if he lured a solid Big Ten recruit to Coral Gables this late in the game. Shannon wowed in Detroit and Perry was won over. He's fresh off a Miami visit, but was that enough? I don't think Miami gets Perry. If so, I say the Canes will go on a tear landing them the #1 class. For now, it's a Big Ten thing. - The Pick: Michigan

Tommy Streeter - Interesting storyline, to say the least. Streeter Sr. passes up Miami for Colorado years back and now Jr. is facing a similar scenario. Streeter could go as far as Oregon or Boston College. USF, South Carolina and Miami are others mentioned. Is MNW's Streeter ready to go cross country and make his own splash? Maybe. Then again, maybe dad's choice to leave years ago has son contemplating being different, staying and creating his own local legacy.- The Pick: Miami


Kendal Thompkins - The wild card here. I believe it's Streeter or Thompkins after LaRon Byrd committed. Miami wants Streeter, but would take KT if he chose elsewhere. Thompkins seems to have a back up plan in Nebraska, but his heart is with Miami. My gut tells me the Canes have a banner day tomorrow and Thompkins could wind up odd man out. That said, if Miami has the space, Thompkins chooses Canes over Huskers, barring the scholarship is still available. - The Pick: Nebraska

Again, the name of the game is throwing it all at the wall and seeing what sticks. No one but the decision-maker himself knows where anyone will chose when it's time to don that hat, put on that jersey or sign those papers.

Creating drama and suspense are the name of the game. It makes the process seem more important and draws even more awareness to the ever-growing sport (business) that is college football.

Hype is just that; hype. Don't believe it. Recruiting sites trying to sell ad space is one thing. Making an educated guess is another. We all know what we 'think' will happen come Wednesday. Chime in below and tell us how you see this class shaping up.


.:Canes305:.