STATE OF THE U 2020: 2020 class analysis

STATE OF THE U: 2019 class analysis

STATE OF THE U: 2018 class analysis

STATE OF THE U: 2017 class analysis

STATE OF THE U: 2016 class analysis

STATE OF THE U: Where does program stand in college football landscape?

CaneSport is taking a closer look class by class at UM’s haul since 2016. Today’s focus? The most recent class. Our analysis:

Tirek Austin-Cave ranked as the nation's No. 24 inside linebacker prospect and finished his senior season with 148 tackles, 11 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt. He chose UM over offers from Baylor, Kansas State, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Wake Forest and West Virginia, among others. A January enrollee, he missed the four spring practices with injury, but hopes to land on the two deep this fall.

Brian Balom was a three-star prospect who chose Miami over offers from Indiana, Louisville, Utah, West Virginia, Northern Illinois, Toledo, FAU and FIU, among others. He will likely have a role in Year 1 on special teams, but making the two-deep at a stacked safety spot will be difficult. It didn't help that he was not one of the Canes' early enrollees.

Don Chaney was a four-star prospect who ranked as the No. 17 running back in the nation by Rivals.com. A 2020 U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant, he left Belen Jesuit as the school's all-time leading rusher having totaled 4,511 yards and 60 touchdowns on 442 carries over the course of five seasons. He chose Miami over offers from Florida State, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M, Michigan, Syracuse, Boston College and South Carolina, among others. He was coming off a shoulder injury this spring and didn't participate in the four sessions. But with a thin RB room that includes only Cam Harris, Jaylan Knighton and Robert Burns, look for Chaney to have some kind of early role.

Marcus Clarke was a three-star recruit who chose Miami over offers from Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, Louisville, Minnesota, NC State, Pitt, Tennessee, UCF, Wake Forest and West Virginia, among others. With a thin cornerback depth chart, Clarke could work his way onto the two deep and should have an immediate role on special teams. But he was held back by not getting on campus as an early enrollee.

Isaiah Dunson was a four-star recruit and one-time FSU commitment who rated as the nation's No. 32 cornerback. He chose the Canes over offers from Texas, Ole Miss, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi State and Kentucky, among others, and had 10 TDs as a wide receiver his senior season along with three interceptions on defense. A February signee, he will have to quickly pick up the defense once he gets on campus if he hopes to have a meaningful role in Year 1.

Corey Flagg, Jr. rated as a three-star and was ranked the No. 25 inside linebacker and No. 72 player in Texas by Rivals. He chose Miami over offers from Boston College, Houston, Kansas State, Memphis, Oklahoma State, Purdue, SMU, Virginia Tech and Texas Tech, among others. He enrolled early, but missed spring ball due to injury. Still, due to the depth issues at linebacker, Flagg has a chance to get on the two deep.

Jalen Harrell will work in at Striker when he gets on campus - he wasn't an early enrollee. With only Gilbert Frierson and Keontra Smith (who moved from safety this spring) at the position, he has a chance to make an immediate splash if he picks up the defense. He is a four-star recruit who ranked No. 117 in the Rivals Top 250, and he chose UM over offers that included Arkansas, Clemson, Cincinnati, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Nebraska, Penn State, Pitt, USF, Tennessee, UCF and West Virginia. Harrell finished the 2019 season with 62 tackles, one interception, three passes defended and one forced fumble.

Jaylan Knighton made a quick splash at Miami this spring, working into the two-deep with Cam Harris and looking like he's a future star with great quickness and power relative to his size. He should get plenty of work as a true freshman and can also help in the return game. Out of high school Knighton was a four-star recruit who rated No. 146 in the Rivals Top 250. He finished the 2019 season with 1,414 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, averaging 9.7 yards per carry, while adding 13 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Knighton chose UM over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Missouri, NC State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, Syracuse and Tennessee, among others. He was initially committed to FSU, but switched to the Canes after Willie Taggart was fired.

Dominic Mammarelli was a four-star prospect who was listed as the No. 11 tight end and No. 44 player in Florida. He participated in spring ball, but won't be in line for much work until Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory are gone and he can compete for the job. He totaled 126 yards and three touchdowns over five games (due to injury) in the 2019 season and chose Miami over offers from LSU, Michigan, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Purdue, South Carolina and USF, among others.

Michael Redding missed the spring due to a wrist injury so it remains to be seen how he'll fit into the offense this coming season. He has plenty of upside as a four-star prospect who ranked No. 103 overall nationally, No. 20 at his position and No. 11 in Florida. Redding was selected to the Under Armour game and caught 17 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown as a senior. Redding chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Washington State, among others.

Xavier Restrepo was a standout in the spring's four sessions, showing great quickness and a knack for picking up the technique and routes in Rhett Lashlee's offense. Look for him to have a role in Year 1 as a pass catcher and also kick returner. Restrepo was a three-star who ranked as the No. 54 athlete in the nation, and he chose Miami over offers from Georgia, Boston College, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Northern Illinois, Oregon, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Texas, Vanderbilt, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard and Princeton, among others.

Jalen Rivers worked in as the second team left guard this spring, so look for him to get some immediate action if he continues his progress when drills resume. A four-star, he was rated the No. 19 offensive tackle nationally and No. 33 player in Florida. An Under Armour All-America game participant, Rivers chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, South Carolina, USF, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia Tech, among others.

Elijah Roberts rated as a four-star prospect and was the No. 13 strong-side defensive end and No. 55 player in Florida. He wasn't an early enrollee and given the depth on the defensive line, he's likely headed for a redshirt season to get bigger, stronger and faster. Roberts finished the 2019 season with 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six sacks, and he chose Miami over offers from Florida State, Florida, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCF, Vanderbilt and West Virginia, among others.

Keyshawn Smith was a late arrival who originally signed with Washington State but then opted for the Canes after Mike Leach left for Mississippi State. Smith looked the part this spring, working in with the second team, and he could have an immediate role as a true freshman. Smith was a three-star who ranked as the No. 84 player in the state, and he caught 46 passes for 808 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior (along with a PR TD, KOR TD and three rushing TDS). Smith chose Miami over offers from Washington State, Boise State, Hawaii, San Diego State, Tennessee and UNLV, among others.

Tyler Van Dyke drew praise in the four spring practice sessions, displaying a strong arm, knowledge of the playbook and accuracy. He should be considered a frontrunner to start when D'Eriq King is gone ... if he continues to improve. A four-star, he was rated the No. 8 pro-style quarterback overall and the No. 2 player in Connecticut. Van Dyke finished his senior year with 2,260 passing yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 123 of his 200 pass attempts. He chose Miami over offers from Michigan, Boston College, Cal, Colorado, Duke, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, NC State, Oklahoma State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, UCLA, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin, among others.

Chris Washington was buried down the offensive line depth chart this spring, which isn't surprising for a freshman. He has good raw ability but must hone his technique and get stronger. A three-star prospect, he chose Miami over offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Marshall, Memphis, Ole Miss and Wake Forest, among others.

Keshawn Washington has a challenge ahead to make the two-deep at a solid safety position, but could get an immediate role on special teams. He participated this spring and has good length, but has to continue to get stronger and learn the defense. The four-star prospect was ranked the No. 8 safety nationally and No. 24 player in Florida, and he chose UM over offers from Florida State, Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tennessee and UCF, among others.

Avantae Williams was a surprise addition in February, with many predicting he would wind up at Florida. The ultra-talented four-star safety ranked as the nation's top prospect at his position and No. 40 overall in the nation. Oregon and Georgia were other programs that pushed hard for Williams down the stretch. While Williams didn't compete in spring ball, it's expected he will find a role on special teams and possibly in the two-deep once he begins practice. His athleticism for his size is off the charts.

Chantz Williams was a four-star prospect who participated in the Under Armour All-America game and was listed as the seventh-best weak-side defensive end nationally and No. 36 player in Florida (No. 144 overall nationally regardless of position). He chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, USF, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech, among others. Given the depth at the end spot, a redshirt is likely.

Quentin Williams rated as a three-star prospect and was not an early enrollee so - given the depth at defensive end - he's likely to redshirt in Year 1 while working to gain strength and weight and learn the defense. Listed as the No. 31 player at his position and No. 22 player in North Carolina, he chose the Canes over offers from Louisville, North Carolina, Purdue, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, among others.

Dazalin Worsham was a one-time Alabama commitment who chose the Canes over offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi State, NC State, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas A&M, among others. An early enrollee, he was a step behind fellow freshmen wideouts Keyshawn Smith and Xavier Restrepo, but he has a bright future. Ranked a four-star prospect, he finished his senior season catching 54 passes for 427 yards and six touchdowns.

Jose Borregales comes in from FIU and will be the starting kicker from Day 1. The grad transfer has tremendous leg strength and accuracy and will shore up a position that was extremely erratic in 2019.

D'Eriq King will take over the starting QB job after transferring from Houston. His versatility as a runner and passer has hopes high that he can make Rhett Lashlee's offense putt up tons of points.

Quincy Roche is a grad transfer from Temple who had 13 sacks last season and will team with Gregory Rousseau as one of the nation's top DE tandems.

Issiah Walker signed with Florida in 2019, enrolling early, then entered the transfer portal during the coronavirus outbreak. He found a home at UM and has a bright future with a program that desperately needs talented tackles.

National Rank; Name

31. Derek Wingo. 5 star signed with Florida

47. Donell Harris. 4-star signed with Texas A&M

71. Marcus Rosemy. 4-star signed with Georgia

It's always hard to grade a class this early-on, but there are some positive signs with several players possibly working their way onto the two deep - RB Jaylan Knighton, WRs Xavier Restrepo and Keyshawn Smith and OG Jalen Rivers. We also could see a few players that didn't enroll early making their way up the depth chart for meaningful reps - namely S Avantae Williams and a LB like Corey Flagg or Tirek Austin-Cave, plus RB Don Chaney and OL Issiah Walker.

Now, with that said, in a perfect world you don't want to have to rely on a lot of first-year guys. That has been a major problem here for years. The Hurricanes rarely have fifth-year starters or contributors, who redshirted as freshmen. But the reality is that this Cane roster just isn't loaded with a ton of depth and talent right now. So the job of this class is to be a stopgap measure, help out right away as needed in a support role without shouldering the kind of load that results in freshman mistakes. There's a lot of talent on board in this class, and now it's on the coaches to develop it and put everyone in the best position to succeed as the Cane train rolls forward.

Oh, and we'll make a few predictions here:

* Jaylan Knighton will be a starter before the end of the season and will rush for over 600 yards.

* Tyler Van Dyke will start at QB for the Hurricanes in 2021.

* Xavier Restrepo will earn a starting job before the season's over and will be in the top three Hurricane receivers production-wise.