One of the biggest areas of need the University of Miami had when building its 2008 recruiting class was finding big bodies to plug-in on both the offensive and defensive lines. The Hurricanes addressed the defensive side with three of the best players in the state -- Northwestern's Marcus Forston, Pahokee's Micanor Regis and Palm Beach Lakes' Jeremy Lewis.
Tuesday, Miami added more depth to the position when it picked up its fifth commitment in the 2009 class in 6-3, 280-pound junior Luther Robinson of Fort Pierce Westwood. Robinson, a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, earned Defensive Line MVP honors last month at the Nike Camp in Gainesville and is one of the highest rising recruits in the '09 class. While he's being recruited as a defensive tackle, don't rule out the possibility he could move to offense. Robinson plays both sides of the line at Westwood
"I watched him play some last year and I think he's OK," new Miami Herald recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said of Robinson. "He's a solid pickup, a good early pickup for Miami. I think he's definitely going to add depth to the position. He's got some good physical attributes. And he's got a whole season to get better."
I spoke to Robinson and his father Tuesday evening and both were excited with the decision to pick UM. In the last month, the Robinson said his son had received offers from UM, South Carolina, Florida, Florida State, UCF, Georgia and Georgia Tech. He took an unofficial visit to UM last Friday and saw the campus for the first time. He said he fell in love with the small classes and is excited about majoring in Engineering. Robinson, who boasts a 3.4 GPA, takes honors Algebra II, English, Chemistry, Physics and American History at Westwood.
"One of the things I can say is he's been a good kid on the field and off the field," Robinson Sr. said. "He's just as dedicated to his academics as he is to football."
Robinson Sr. said his son bench presses 315 pounds and squats 500 pounds, but UM coaches would like for him to work on his strength and his speed (Robinson currently runs a 5.0 in the 40). He said while his son will be orally committed to the program, he still wants his son to take his visits to other schools.
"He gave a verbal commit and he's going to ride on that," Robinson Sr. said. "But I want him to see some other things too, ask more questions. But we really like what we saw at Miami. Coach Shannon and everyone opened the doors and really made my family feel at home."
Manny, who are some of the other recruits close to signing with UM?
Posted by: CaliCane | April 29, 2008 at 07:35 PM
A long time between now and next February but the more the merrier.
What are we down to now Manny, 14 scholarships for next year?
Posted by: DZ8 | April 29, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Thanks for the update Manny.
Posted by: MO Canes | April 29, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Is it just me or does this guy need to speak for himself instead of letting his dad do the talking for him. I don't want to say it, but this remind anyone else of PJ?
Posted by: MNinMIA22 | April 29, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Green...you are just making a complete idiot of yourself at this point. Let it go man, let it go.
Posted by: 86Cane | April 29, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Just happy to see that this young man has his family (particular his father) to suppport him in such a great desicion. It's not very day that an individual can really say that they are living out their childhood dreams. Good luck Luther Jr. & Go Canes!
Posted by: Renee | April 29, 2008 at 11:17 PM
http://hurricanewarriors.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=2
Posted by: duzhi | April 30, 2008 at 07:26 AM
why do these kids make up offers they have from other schools. UF and FSU never offered this DT.
Posted by: notindenialcane | April 30, 2008 at 07:40 AM
87Cane is roid rider as well.
Posted by: 88Cane | April 30, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Manny Haith just signed one. to the bat cave manny!!
Posted by: lou of m | April 30, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Has anyone heard where KW ended up or any of the other Canes who weren't drafted?
Posted by: ITS ALL ABOUT THE U | May 01, 2008 at 11:19 AM
KW signed with the Vikings.
Posted by: Seafort | May 01, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Manny...how long before the rest of the recruiting class can get on campus?
Posted by: Canesjunkie | May 02, 2008 at 09:17 AM
U say that there's no way UF offered this kid??? Duhzi what are you smoking??? He was the friggin MVP OF THE DEFENSE AT THE NIKE CAMP IN GAINESVILLE!!!! Of course UF offered him. Its not his fault that he doesn't like CUM. Lets go CANES!!!
Posted by: Dont Hate | May 03, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I hope Miami has not forgotten speed in defensive recruiting. The great Miami teams were smaller and faster and tougher than anyone else around. They swarmed to the bll carrier and dominated so much that other top teams such as FSU & Oklahoma (and currently Florida) realized that Miami's defensive speed was key to success and started similar recruiting. In the last 2 games and perhaps others,Miami players were always chasing the ball carriers not stopping them.
There seem to be 3. other big needs for Miami now -
1. offensive linemen (big time) and,
2. possibly QB. Perhaps the QB's only need the experience to rise to the top level and perhaps it too much was expected of them out of the gate, but Robert Mauve seems to gamble too much on passes altho' the coordination and expertise of the receiving corp. has played a part in the less than spectacular passing game. Sam Shields did not live up to expectations.
3. The team also seemed to run out of steam in the 4th qtr. They looked great against Florida till 4th qtr, and Ga. Tech & NC State just ran all over themin the last qtr as well
Sounds like a lot, but all in all, the team certainly progressed well from last year. Coach Shannon recruits very well and the team progressed well. However, Miami is a tough town and only excellence is honored!
Posted by: Don Verity | December 01, 2008 at 10:35 AM