Miami Hurricanes Football

Offensive tackle Cleveland Reed announced Wednesday that he committed to play for the Miami Hurricanes.

According to Andrew Ivins of 247Sports, Reed made a verbal commitment to Miami over Ohio State, USC, Tennessee, North Carolina and Ole Miss.

Per Scout.com, Reed is a 4-star recruit who ranks as the No. 223 overall player, No. 17 prospect at his position and No. 5 offensive tackle from Florida.

Reed told Ivins the following regarding his decision to attend Miami: "My mom loves Miami. It just feels like home. It felt like family when I was down there. I mean that was the main thing really. [Offensive line coach Stacy Searels] was real nice and I love [head coach] Mark Richt. I just like the people there."

He is capable of playing both tackle and guard, and that type of versatility will give Richt options in 2018 and beyond.

According to Scout.com, Reed stands 6'4" and weighs 305 pounds, which means he already has a body capable of handling the rigors of major college football.

Keeping Reed in state is a coup for Richt and the Hurricanes, and it is a significant step toward improving upon the 9-4 record they posted last season.

For more news, rumors and related stories about Cleveland Reed, the Miami Hurricanes and college football, we recommend checking out the college football and Miami Hurricanes football streams on Bleacher Report's app.   

The Miami Hurricanes added another piece to their secondary after securing the commitment of Gurvan Hall.

Hall announced Monday his intention to join the Hurricanes in 2018:

The 4-star safety ranks 17th at his position and 175th overall, per Scout. He's also the sixth-best safety in the south region.

The fact Alabama head coach Nick Saban helicoptered to Palm Beach Lakes High School to visit Hall in January is one of the best indicators of his talent level. Paxton Boyd of WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, shared a clip of Saban arriving and speaking to reporters:

Hall's coach, Al Shipman, praised the player's adaptability on the field.

"With his ability to return punts and line up at receiver, you've got a kid who can do some specialty trick plays," Shipman said, per the Palm Beach Post's Jodie Wagner. "He's athletic enough to line up at corner and play safety. I think the versatility, along with his upside, is what they're looking at."

There's little doubt whether Hall can be a dynamic player in the secondary. Having spent time at safety and wide receiver, he has had plenty of experience reading and reacting to the ball while it's in the air. He'll undoubtedly be an asset to Miami in pass coverage.

Hall is also guaranteed to deliver a handful of big hits each season. When he zeroes in on a target, he isn't afraid to put his entire body behind a tackle.

That aggressiveness can be a double-edged sword, though.

Hall will need to learn that simply wrapping up the ball-carrier can be a more prudent approach than trying to make a highlight reel with every tackle. When he whiffs on a big hit or fails to properly bring down the opponent, he gives up needless yards.

With college football's emphasis on player safety, Hall increases the risk of picking up a critical penalty the more he takes an aggressive approach as well. One mistimed tackle could mean a targeting penalty and ejection from the game.

It's an easily correctable problem with the right coaching.

Although Hall remains a work in progress, all of the tools are there for him to become one of the top safeties in the ACC in a few years.

In his first full season on the recruiting trail, head coach Mark Richt got Miami headed in the right direction. According to Scout, the Hurricanes' class climbed from 37th in 2016 to 13th in 2017. The fact the 19 best players in the state of Florida went elsewhere, per Scout, showed Miami still has a lot of work to do, though.

Hall's commitment is not only a boost to the Hurricanes defense but also evidence Richt's recruiting prowess in the Sunshine State is growing.

Mark Pope, a 4-star wide receiver who rose to prominence at Miami Southridge High School, will be heading to the Miami Hurricanes. 

Pope announced his decision Monday: 

PLEASE RESPECT MY DECISION  @r81dugans pic.twitter.com/GTEj1TeRZv

— Mark Pope3️⃣ (@markpop10517405) March 27, 2017

An undeniable athletic presence at receiver, Pope established himself as one of the premier players at his position among all 2018 recruits. According to Scout.com, he is the 282nd-ranked player in his class and the 50th-ranked receiver. 

Furthermore, Pope is the 21st-ranked receiver in the entire South region and the 11th-best pass-catcher the state of Florida has to offer. 

Although he isn't the biggest wideout in his class, Pope emerged as a standout performer because of his ability to burn past defenders and use tremendous athleticism to his advantage. 

As Scout.com's official analysis noted, "Pope is a bouncy athlete that makes things look effortless when releasing off the line of scrimmage as well." The report also stated he "is a crisp route runner that does a nice job of breaking off defenders to get separation."

But at 6'0" and 160 pounds, Pope likely doesn't have a future as an outside receiver as he moves up the ranks. Rather, he resembles a dynamite slot option thanks to his ability to breeze past defenders off the snap and change directions effortlessly.

At Miami, the homegrown product projects as a game-breaking talent once he's able to acclimate to a fresh scheme. 

Although he may not put up the stats worthy of a No. 1 receiver who works along the boundary, Pope has the ability to stretch the field vertically and laterally in ways that make defenses quiver. 

And considering the Hurricanes also secured a commitment from fellow Southridge receiver Daquris Wiggins, per Scout.com, Pope should feel right as home as he sets his sights on a prosperous collegiate career.

Recruit information courtesy of Scout.com.   

Miami Hurricanes defensive end Chad Thomas apparently has a bright future ahead of him off the football field.

As Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post explained in a piece published Monday, Thomas produced "Apple of My Eye," the opening track on the Rick Ross album Rather You Than Me.

This was not a one-off for Thomas, who has already grown a reputation as a local producer known as "Major Nine."

According to Tesfatsion's piece, Thomas first met Ross "in 2013 or 2014," when the player was still in high school. That meeting, it would turn out, resulted in Thomas' becoming associated with the music business.

We look forward to hearing more of his work regardless of whether he suits up for an NFL team.    

[Twitter]

The Miami Hurricanes added a major playmaker to their 2018 recruiting class Wednesday, as 4-star wide receiver Brian Hightower announced his commitment on Twitter:

305, Here I Come #Storm18 

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." pic.twitter.com/534N4AXfAo

— Brian Hightower (@longlivee14) March 2, 2017

Hightower chose the Hurricanes over the likes of Alabama, Clemson and USC. The 6'3", 185-pounder currently ranks No. 37 overall and sixth among receivers in the 2018 class. He is second among receivers in the South region, according to Scout.com.

After posting huge numbers as a sophomore at Calabasas High School in California, Hightower transferred to the hallowed IMG Academy for his final two years. He did not receive as much playing time as expected during his junior season but remains an explosive deep threat who was on the radar of most national powers.

"It's tough. Every day I'm going against guys like (Ohio State commitment) Marcus Williamson, (LSU commit) Grant Delpit and the best players in the country," Hightower told Jeremy Birmingham of Landof10.com. "I'm making myself better. It's a great fit for me and it's great going against the top guys every day. There are no off days here."

There were very few hints early on regarding what direction Hightower's recruitment would take. Alabama, USC and Clemson were each given an equal 33-percent chance of landing him by 247Sports as the 2017 signing day approached, and Florida was also known to be in the running due to its proximity to IMG.

Hightower maintained he would likely choose a school in the southeast.

"It's nothing against California," Hightower said, per Rob Cassidy of Rivals. "It's just about a competition level. I want to play down here because I feel like it's a better level of competition."

Now a member of the Hurricanes, Hightower will join the ACC power and look to provide its wide receiving corps with a marked boost once he arrives on campus.

However, he won't be alone.

Miami also secured a commitment from 4-star receiver Daquris Wiggins, who was the 40th-ranked receiver in the class of 2018, per Scout.

With those two in the fold and the program just starting to discover its identity under head coach Mark Richt, the Hurricanes offense should be in good hands for years to come.

Stats courtesy of MaxPreps unless otherwise noted.

Artur Sitkowski helped reshape Miami's 2018 recruiting class Saturday, as he announced his commitment to the Hurricanes on Twitter:

Please respect my Decision pic.twitter.com/OhiJqywfGL

— Artur Sitkowski (@artursitkowski4) February 26, 2017

Sitkowski, who transferred to IMG Academy for his senior season, chose Miami over Florida and Michigan. He is the No. 75 overall prospect and eighth-ranked quarterback in the class of 2018, per Scout.com.

Though touted for his physical skills, Sitkowski hasn't had elite success at the high school level. He recorded just 1,190 yards and five touchdowns against 10 interceptions during his junior season at Old Bridge High School in New Jersey. That was a stark contrast to Sitkowski's sophomore campaign, which saw him throw 16 touchdowns against four picks.

Most experts thought schools would spend the year chasing Florida, the long-assumed favorite. Before the 2017 signing day, 247Sports' crystal ball gave Sitkowski a 77 percent chance of landing with the Gators, with Rutgers and Michigan being the only other schools receiving votes.

"The Gators stick out to me a lot," Sitkowski told Tyler Donohue of B/R. "I had a soft spot [for] the team growing up, I have family down in Florida, and I like [head coach Jim] McElwain and [offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier] a lot. They run a pro-style system and they're not really deep at quarterback so it gives you a chance to compete early."

Sitkowski is viewed as a pocket passer at 6'4 ½" and 208 pounds, but he flashed some running ability last season. He recorded a career-high 254 yards and nine scores on the ground—perhaps focusing on running to the detriment of his passing stats.

Miami will look to retool Sitkowski's footwork and accuracy underneath more than anything. His completion percentage hovered around 50 percent at Old Bridge, which was a product of scheme and his propensity to miss throws. He does possess a big arm with good zip on his passes, so the talent is there for him to eventually start.

Sitkowski's commitment is a huge early win for Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt, whose recruiting prowess continues to impress. This year was his first full recruiting cycle with the program, and Scout.com ranked the class as the nation's 13th-best. 

Coming off a nine-win season last year, in which Richt was hired in December 2015, the Hurricanes look like a rising force in the ACC. The conference also includes Florida State and Clemson, so standing out among that duo isn't an easy task. 

The Hurricanes have landed 12 recruits for the 2018 class; Sitkowski is their sixth 4-star recruit. They currently rank third among all schools, per Scout.com.

The Miami Hurricanes have added one of the best running backs in the 2018 recruiting class to their stable.

Lorenzo Lingard tweeted his decision to join the Hurricanes' ranks on Thursday:

Lingard, who is 6'1" and 180 pounds, is a 4-star prospect, per Scout, and the No. 23 overall player, No. 4 running back and No. 2 running back in the state of Florida in his class.

Corey Bender of Scout noted Miami beat out the likes of Ohio State, Texas, Clemson and Auburn for the in-state running back. Hudl shared a look at some of Lingard's highlights that surely drew the attention of so many blue-chip programs across the country:

Scout provided a breakdown of Lingard's game and pointed to his ability as a north and south runner. He brings physicality and toughness to the running back position and doesn't waste much time waiting for holes to develop. Rather, he lowers his shoulder and barrels over defenders for the tough yards, which will prove critical during important third-down and red-zone opportunities at Miami.

Scout acknowledged he could improve his breakaway speed, but Bender said he was a state champion in the 110-meter hurdles, which suggests there is plenty of speed that can develop once he trains inside Miami's program.

The Hurricanes are building momentum on the recruiting trail and have the No. 5 class in the country in Scout's early 2018 rankings. Four of their eight commits are cornerbacks, so Lingard gives them an offensive playmaker they can rely on in the near future.

Miami finished 9-4 in 2016 in head coach Mark Richt's first year at the helm and is looking to reestablish itself as the national power it was from 2000 to 2003 when it won double-digit games four years in a row.

Stockpiling talented players like Lingard will help it do that and challenge Florida State and Clemson in the ACC in the near future.

Miami landed one of the most electric athletes in the 2017 class on Wednesday, as wide receiver Jeff Thomas officially announced his commitment. 

ESPNU shared news of Thomas' commitment:

Scout rates the East St. Louis Senior High School standout as a 4-star prospect as well as the No. 41 overall player, the No. 5 wide receiver and the No. 1 wideout from Illinois in his class.

Though Thomas is from the Midwest, he received interest from programs across the country, including Alabama, Florida State, Oregon and Tennessee, according to Scout. Of course, he also had the attention of several regional powerhouses, including Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. 

Thomas isn't particularly big at 5'10" and 167 pounds, but his speed and versatility help him stand out from the other receivers who are set to make the leap to the college game.

Per Beth Long of Scout, East St. Louis head coach Darren Sunkett pointed out Thomas' ability to line up in different spots as one of his greatest attributes:

First thing is he's very smart, he's an intelligent kid. You have got to be that way the way we are utilizing him this year. We are playing Jeff in several different positions, we split him out wide, put him in the slot, put him in the backfield.

A kid that is able to move around like that and remember what he is doing, he's definitely a top-notch recruit.

Being a smallish receiver helps him in that regard, since he has speed to burn defensive backs downfield. He is also quick and elusive enough to get open off the line on shorter routes that often develop into big gains when he has the ball in his hands.

Although Thomas is a few inches shorter at this point, Nate Latsch of Scout believes he compares favorably to current Kansas City Chiefs and former Missouri pass-catcher Jeremy Maclin (6'0"):

If Thomas becomes anything close to Maclin at either the collegiate or pro level, he will be a successful player and well worth the advanced billing he has received from so many talent evaluators.

One of the biggest reasons why transitioning from high school to college is tough for many players is the difference in speed. While Thomas will encounter players who are much closer to him in that regard than he is used to, he still figures to be elite in that area, which is why he'll have a chance to be a difference-maker early in his tenure.

Add in the fact he has proved to be a strong route-runner capable of beating defenders from multiple areas on the field, and it's easy to envision Thomas making an instant impact.

The Hurricanes are seemingly on the rise under head coach Mark Richt, and that figures to continue if he can keep bringing in top-flight talent from out of state.

Richt was known as one of college football's top recruiters during his time at Georgia, and Thomas' commitment is a sign that the trend will continue at Miami.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.

After decommitting from Alabama, highly touted junior-college cornerback Jhavonte Dean committed to play for the Miami Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Dean announced his decision on Twitter:

According to Scout, the Homestead, Florida, native is a 4-star prospect who ranks as the nation's No. 20 JUCO recruit.

Dean played at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas, in 2016 where he registered 23 tackles and five pass breakups in nine games, per the school's athletics website.

Drew Champlin of AL.com noted Dean originally signed to play at Cincinnati, but he was forced to attend junior college in order to improve his grades.

Aside from Alabama and Florida, Scout listed Miami (FL), Arizona State and Utah as the schools that exhibited the most interest in Dean.

He boasts ideal size at 6'1" and 180 pounds, and the fact he has already gotten a taste of college football makes Dean a highly attractive candidate to step in and start immediately.

In addition to his defensive duties, Dean has experience as a return man, which could lead to early playing time as well.

Dean has had a long and winding road to get to this point, but now that he has committed to play for the Hurricanes, he will finally have an opportunity to live up to the limitless potential he has flashed.

Decommitting from Alabama in favor of Miami is a risk since the Crimson Tide routinely churn out big-time NFL prospects on defense, but he may now have a better opportunity to get playing time right away.

Miami is coming off a strong 9-4 season in its first campaign under head coach Mark Richt, and if his tenure at Georgia is any indication, he is on track to build the Hurricanes into a recruiting power.

Richt's defense ranked 12th in the nation last season in points allowed, and if Dean is as good as advertised, then it stands to reason Miami could creep even closer to an elite level on the defensive side of the ball.

Offensive lineman Kai-Leon Herbert decommitted from the University of Michigan's 2017 recruiting class on Sunday, per Corey Bender of Scout, and chose his new school on Wednesday.

Herbert tweeted that he will attend the University of Miami:

Herbert checks in at 6'4 ½" and 284 pounds and is a 4-star recruit, per Scout. He is the No. 257 overall prospect, No. 26 offensive tackle and No. 5 offensive tackle from the state of Florida in his class.

Herbert explained his reasoning for leaving Michigan, per Bender: "Just things went south. They showed their true colors, and it wasn't for me."

While Bender called Herbert "a lean" toward Florida after Sunday's news, the offensive lineman recently visited Miami and liked what he saw. "It was a great visit; my guys showed me a lot," Herbert said, per Bender. "Miami is a school that's on the rise."

Hudl shared some of Herbert's highlights that underscore how valuable he can be for the Hurricanes in the next few years:

Scout broke down Herbert's game and emphasized his length and feet that improve his mobility. Scout noted "he could be a true left tackle on the next level" thanks to his combination of power, which will help in the run game, and lateral movement, which will help him protect his quarterback's blind side.

Miami went 9-4 and won the Russell Athletic Bowl in Mark Richt's first season with the program. The once-great powerhouse hasn't won double-digit games since the 2003 campaign, when it was in the Big East, but Richt has it trending upward with the No. 14 recruiting class in Scout's rankings.

Herbert is the fourth offensive lineman in a group that also includes three defensive linemen. Richt is trying to set the tone up front, and Herbert will help him do just that as the Hurricanes look to re-establish their tradition of winning.