Closer look: Inside the Haskins decision

Bergenfield (NJ) High School TE Jovani Haskins is a recent Cane commitment.

But back when he first caught UM's eye he thought Miami was just another scholarship offer.

Flash back to April 28 of last year, and Haskins got word the Hurricanes were giving him a full ride. It was his 12th offer.

"Honestly back then I didn't think I'd be a Hurricane," Haskins said. "It was more like just another offer. I didn't know too much about the program back then, just the general things, didn't know too much about it till after the coaching change."

Like many prospects, Haskins kept an open mind in the recruiting process and chose where he felt fit him best.

He grew up a USC fan but also had family in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was happy to consider anywhere, coast to coast.

So how did UM win out?

Well it was actually former coach Larry Scott that initially piqued his interest in the Canes.

"He was the one recruiting me the whole time," Haskins said. "And then with the coaching change, Mark Richt definitely gave me a new interest in Miami. I liked him and his track record, what he produced over time."

Haskins says ultimately it was a combination of his conformability on campus and how he bonded with coaches that made him choose Miami. He says once Todd Hartley visited his school and then came back again with Richt that he was leaning toward Miami. But he didn't tell anyone that at the time, keeping things under wraps.

He knew for sure once he wrapped up his UM visit - he said he confirmed that weekend that "the coaches were great people, and that definitely helped."

It still wasn't a slam dunk, though.

"It was back and forth with Miami and West Virginia down to the wire," Haskins said. "I didn't think either school was a bad choice. After I discussed it with my family I just made the choice."

He adds "My mom likes Miami, was interested in the academics, the support I'd get there. And my dad is a big college football fan, loves Miami."

Hartley says his other finalists - West Virginia and Virginia Tech - never spoke negatively about Miami.

And he recounts how he tried to commit. His first call?

It was to Richt.

"He didn't pick up," Haskins said. "So i called coach Hartley, told him I was committing, was going to tweet it out at a certain time. He was all excited. Then I called coach Richt again and he answered - I told him `At 8:15 I'm tweeting out that I'm committing to Miami.' He said `That's great!' was excited.

Haskins says he never seriously considered waiting to announce until signing day.

"Once I made up my mind I just felt I might as well get it over with," he said.

Haskins says he sees a bright future at Miami.

"Next year I want us to compete for a national championship," Haskins said "I think the program is going to turn around tremendously with the new foundation with Mark Richt, and we have a lot of guys coming back."

His personal goals?

"I just want to go in there and get coached up," he said. "I'll come to work every day. I just want to develop and become the greatest tight end I can be there."