The Miami Hurricanes are looking for a return to glory down in Coral Gables, Florida. Under second-year head coach Mario Cristobal, the Canes are hoping to recapture some of that championship glory from the late ’80s, early ’90s and early 2000s.
Recruiting at a high level is the only way that can happen, and for a good portion of the 2023 recruiting cycle it looked as if Canes Nation would land two of the best prospects in the class in five-star quarterback Jaden Rashada and five-star cornerback Cormani McClain.
But Rashada de-committed in November, and then McClain opted not to sign during the early signing period, and recently committed to Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes.
Miami Desperately Pursuing Alabama Commit Julian Sayin
So why are the Hurricanes basically negative recruiting against Nick Saban and Alabama when they aren’t the ones who flipped their two prized commits?
That’s what seemed to happen over the weekend at Miami junior day when former Canes star and recruiting director Mike Rumph made a pitch to 2024 Alabama five-star Julian Sayin, the No. 2 QB in the class.
Rumph’s pitch was captured via video and went a little something like this.
“This ain’t Tuscaloosa where Saturdays might be great but the rest of the week you’re still in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. No offense to them.”
Julian Sayin said hmmmmmm idk about that pic.twitter.com/R6pOsQt01x
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) January 30, 2023
Strange that Miami would take a shot at Alabama out of all the schools that have a lot less going on than Bama does during college football season. Guess that comes with being the standard in college football over the last 15-16 seasons.
Canes Selling Recruits On South Beach Nightlife? But Not Wins
Selling recruits on things to do in Miami versus things to do in Tuscaloosa is commonplace in recruiting, so Rumph isn’t the first nor will he be the last to do so. The number of future pros the Crimson Tide have had over that time frame, and those nine Monday nights when they’ve played for national championships will still convince recruits to come to Tuscaloosa or somewhere like Athens, Georgia, instead of Miami, which is coming off a 5-7 season.
Rumph asked recruits this:
“Who doesn’t want to be in Miami?”
Obviously, many top recruits who chose other programs during the 2023 recruiting cycle. Even with that, Cristobal landed two five-stars and 25 overall recruits, good enough for the seventh-ranked class in 2023. But those two aforementioned recruiting losses were positions of need, and they sting regardless of who else they bring in.
3 #Hurricanes recruits played at a high level during the #AllAmericanBowl #TheU | #Recruiting @SAMSONOKUNLOLA_ @rayraythaboy @fletcherjr_mark https://t.co/TmtfwsTAQE
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) January 8, 2023
Sayin Would Change Trajectory Of Canes Program
The Canes haven’t been very successful at landing that top signal-caller, while Alabama has landed the likes of Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. In fact, Tuscaloosa has become a QB factory, with Hurts, Tagovailoa and Jones all NFL starters, and Young a projected top-five pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Sayin has all the tools and arm talent that the Canes have been devoid of. Touted for his advanced IQ, mobility outside of the pocket, and quick and accurate release, Sayin holds 25 offers, with Alabama, Ohio State and Miami in his final three.
#OhioState offered #Bama commit Julian Sayin a few days ago. #Miami hasn’t given up either, but Sayin says he isn’t wavering. https://t.co/8zEB73TsLZ (On3+) pic.twitter.com/6mWHGpI8ZJ
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) January 22, 2023
Rumph’s job is tough. He’s there to convince players to come to Miami, but negative recruiting against a team that’s played in nine of the past 16 championship games isn’t the move.
