As we head towards fall practice, I will give a general update on what the recruiting board PROBABLY looks like for Randy Shannon and staff at this point. However, recruiting is a world of smokescreens and indecision, and I am nowhere close to an authority on the matter, so take this for what you will.

QB

The Hurricanes already have a commitment from A.J. Highsmith, son of Alonzo. He clearly has orange and green in his blood and committed in February. He is small for the position and new to playing it, but he seems to be one of those guys who just knows how to play (Ken Dorsey was one of those guys...he worked out ok). A.J. could also be moved to defensive back, as he is a good athlete and the team is looking at a quarterback logjam.

Eugene Smith of Miramar, FL, was thought to be a target early on but seems to be headed elsewhere. Many speculate that spread offenses like Michigan and West Virginia are his leaders. However, it would not surprise me to hear later in the season that the 'Canes are back in the hunt.

It seems as though the Hurricanes will take one quarterback at most in this class.

RB

This position already has two commitments. Bryce Brown, younger brother of Arthur, has drawn comparisons to Herschel Walker. He is big and will get bigger. He is fast and will get faster. And his commitment is about as solid as they come at this point. He should arrive for the Spring 2009 semester and become an instant impact kind of player.

Mike James of Davenport, FL, is the other commitment. He is fast and looks like a good, thick between the tackles back. Type of player who flies under the radar but always seems to have a place in the running back stable.

Lamar Miller is considered the top prospect in Dade County and was considered a 'Cane lock. However, he has grade issues and took too long to make a decision for Randy Shannon's liking, and the staff has stopped recruiting him (according to several sources, websites, blogs, and Miller himself). He is very talented but seems to be on the outside of this class looking in. Another local player, Jamaal Berry, was a riser in the spring but never got a 'Cane offer. It is rumored that he too has grade problems, and he has dropped the 'Canes from consideration after not feeling the love.

Shannon and Co. are probably done at this position.

WR

Reuben Randle of LA is the number one ranked player at this position in the nation according to most, and he is rumored to have the 'Canes in front. This is the type of player that teams fight for up until signing day, and my gut tells me it will be hard to get him away from the SEC. However, he would be worth the resources if he can be pulled and would team with Brown to give Miami the best 1-2 punch of offensive skill players signed this season by any program.

Andre Debose of Seminole High is a pure athlete who profiles as a receiver that can stretch the defense and make things happen in the open field. He has two teammates that are also considering Miami, and he would be a great compliment to a guy like Randle.

A personal favorite that I want to see a 'Cane in Rontavious Wooten, a burner from the Muck. The 'Canes need playmakers and to increase their presence in this area of the state, and Wooten would cover both.

Other national targets at the position include Rolando Jefferson from South Cali and Jehranie Boyd from North Carolina. Both are long shots but would be great pickups.

In-state and local options include Xavier Rhodes, Sterling Griffin, Nu'Keese Richardson (currently a Gator commit), Willie Haulstead (currently a FSU commit)and Rodney Smith (an interesting 6'6" athlete who could be an absolute beast).

I project that Miami hits on one of either Randle or Debose and then fills the second spot at this position with one of the local kids. After last year's class added depth to the position, two elite guys is really all the staff is going to look for. There will not be any George Robinsons in this class.

TE

At the beginning of this recruiting cycle, Clint Hurtt was quoted to say that the 'Canes would target four tight ends in this class. They already have three commitments, at least one of which will probably end up beig converted to defensive end or offensive tackle.

Corey White, Stephen Plein, and Billy Sanders are all tall, lean, big commits who could become great blockers but also have the athleticism to play either defensive end or offensive tackle. Most predict White will become a tackle, and some see Sanders as a defensive lineman. However, all three are the gritty types that a title contender needs.

Orson Charles is the top ranked tight end in the country. He is rumored to be a 'Cane lean, and it seems appropriate after Shannon gave him a private tour of campus during his visit this summer. He is a good bet to be a 'Cane. Austin Fitzpatrick and Brock Deccico are other options from out of state that seem to be backup options at this point.

OL

As said before, some of the current tight end commits will probably end up O-Lineman. The team needs about five this season to rebuild the depth. Last year's top signee at the position, Brandon Washington, will be attending prep school this semester, so he will factor in as part of next year's class.

Xavier Nixon is one of the top tackle prospects in the country. He is rumored to be a 'Cane lean, and he would be a good player to start this offensive line class around. He is agile and strong and could be a great left tackle.

Jared Wheeler is a local option that figures as an interior lineman. He was all but a Gator lock until he recently attended a camp there and came back with things opened up (probably not a great sign). He would be a good depth guy for the line who could play several positions.

Xavier Su'A Filo is a west coast guy who figures to be a Trojan but has Miami in his final group of teams. He could be this year's Arthur Brown, a recruiting coup for the coaching staff.

Malcolm Bunche from Delaware is an athletic lineman who visited recently and is said to be a 'Cane lean, but one has to figure that it will be tough to get him down here. He is a good prospect at several positions.

Other out of state options include guys who are very talented but figure to be very hard to pull. They include highly ranked Morgan Moses of Virginia, Jeramie Roberts from Texas, and Chris Freeman from Ohio. Another local lineman on the scene who is looking for an offer is Steven Jacques.

The 'Canes may be in a bit of a bind at this position, as this seems to be a down year locally for linemen in a year where Miami needs a lot of them.

Next time, we will update the recruiting picture for the defense.