The perception of this UM recruiting class will not be fully shaped until several more players decide: quarterback Jacoby Brissett (will choose among UM, UF, Wisconsin on Friday); defensive tackles Jalen Grimble, Lonnie Gosha and Elkino Watson; offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson; defensive back Dominique Terrell and receivers Devin Lucien and Patrick Onwuasor. Some feedback on UM’s class:
• Who could play as freshmen, beyond special teams? Several analysts said they expect defensive end Anthony Chickillo will get time – behind Adewale Ojomo, Olivier Vernon, Marcus Robinson and perhaps Andrew Smith. “He’s relentless, instinctive and tough,”
CBS College’s Tom Lemming said. Next Level Scouting’s Charles Fishbein predicts Chickillo eventually “will be the team’s emotional leader.’’
Miami Herald recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said Northeast defensive end Bryant Dubose (11 sacks in 2010) also is ready to play right away, but “the question is whether he gets red-flagged because of grades.’’
Blustein said Dubose could end up at Louisville, though his coach ( Donnell Bennett) expects him to go to UM. Whether Dubose is here or not, Blustein said early enrollee Olsen Pierre, who had 12 sacks at Fort Union Military Academy, bears watching in 2011: “He has great instincts.’’
South Broward’s Kevin Grooms (six touchdowns on returns in 2010) “could be Miami’s punt returner,’’
Blustein said. “Very quick and great vision. He can play running back, but why play only a few snaps there when he can move to corner and play a lot right away?’’
ESPN’s Tom Luginbill said he “projects best at corner.’’
Because of a need at corner, South Fort Myers’ Dallas Crawford and Central’s Thomas Finnie (one of UM’s two early enrollees) will get a chance to compete with returnees Brandon McGee, Lee Chambers, Keion Payne, Devont'a Davis and Kacy Rodgers for playing time. “We love Crawford,’’ Luginbill said. “He’s so instinctive, good on run support.’’
At least one of the linebackers – Coral Gables’ Denzel Perryman, Lakeland’s Gionni Paul (149 tackles, four interceptions in 2010) or Antonio Kinard (the ex-Michigan commitment who spent last fall in prep school) – should get defensive snaps in 2011. “Paul would be the most advanced of those three,” Blustein said. “He’s a big playmaker who can get sideline to sideline. Perryman is good defending the run.’’
Punter Dalton Botts and kicker Matt Goudis will try to succeed Matt Bosher.
• Receivers Phillip Dorsett (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Rashawn Scott (Melbourne) “may be better served redshirting because Miami has depth there,’’ Blustein said. “But Dorsett is one of the fastest kids they’ve got, so he’ll have a chance.’’
• Blustein calls Finnie “the steal’’
of UM’s class. Lemming said Homestead’s Ricardo Williams (18 sacks in 2010; 43 career) is the “sleeper of this class’’
because of his rush skills. But “he’s only 215 pounds, not big enough yet for defensive end, so he probably will need to play linebacker and bulk up’’
for the hybrid role UM envisions, Blustein said.
