Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to recruiting, Miami Hurricanes head football coach Al Golden continues to rack ‘em and stack ‘em.
Golden added to potentially the best recruiting class in the nation when consensus four-star defensive end Trent Harris chose the Hurricanes over the Florida Gators. The move definitely shocked Gators fans and coaches.
The Gators had been Harris’ favorite team growing up. With him playing high school football in nearby Orlando, most expected him to make the two-hour drive north to play in Gainesville.
Harris chose instead to head south to Coral Gables. Harris cited Miami’s defensive line coach Jethro Franklin’s recruitment as a major factor in choosing the Canes. Harris said Franklin was honest and frank about the school both athletically and academically. With many college coaches taking the low road by reminding recruits about potential NCAA sanctions looming at Miami, Harris is a good example of how that tactic can backfire.
At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Harris is a pass rush specialist who will fit right in to the weak-side defensive end position in Miami’s system. However, Harris could find himself playing linebacker down the road.
As a defensive end, Harris finished with 11 quarterback sacks last season. He has an explosive first step, and an impressive set of pass rush moves for a young player.
The loss of Harris has to be a blow for the Gators. It wasn’t too long ago that Gator coaches were swooping in and poaching South Florida talent out from under the noses of the Hurricanes. Now, it appears, the tables have turned and Miami is solidifying recruiting inroads in the Tampa and Orlando areas that were once considered the Florida Gators backyard.
Harris’s commitment now brings Miami’s number of recruits to 25.
Chris Cunningham is a College Football Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @cunn1431.
