Sizing up the 2010 class with Charles Fishbein

It's only July, seven months until National Signing Day. But in the world of recruiting -- where things evolve 24/7 -- we've basically reached the halfway point of the 2010 blitz.

Most high school seniors have already taken their unofficial summer visits or are about to sneak a few last ones in before hitting the weight room hard and preparing for their own football seasons. Those that haven't already 'committed' to a school (42 in the Rivals Top 100 have) are narrowing things down considerably. Basically, the 2010 picture has come into focus and now its simply a matter of closing things out.

As I wrote in today's Herald, the Hurricanes have already netted 10 non-binding commitments entering July (UM is looking to sign between 22-23). After calling and speaking with either each recruit or their coach, it looks like the majority (about seven) are not going to pull a Bryce Brown. 

With that said, I called in Charles Fishbein of Elite Scouting Services to give us some perspective on where the Canes stand in July with seven months to go before anything is official. Fishbein works with several colleges to find recruits throughout the state and has a very good grasp on the Southeast. Here is what Fish had to say about how the Canes are doing so far...

"I'm interested in seeing what some of the local kids want to do, but for the most part they're doing a good job," Fishbein said. "They've gone after the positions they have to improve -- offensive and defensive line. Now, its just a matter of them holding onto the guys they have and adding the ones you expect them to land. 

"They've got to win in Dade and Broward because right now every top Palm Beach kid is going to Florida or Florida State. To me, they've got to come up with guys like [Hialeah defensive lineman] Corey Lemonier, [Miramar receiver] Ivan McCartney and [St. Thomas Aquinas center] Brandon Linder. If they get those guys, they'll have another Top 20 class. If those three kids don't sign with Miami, you have to have some concerns with Miami and whether they get from 7, 8, 9 wins to a championship caliber team."

Fishbein gave me his thoughts on several topics regarding the current commitments.

> Best player: Defensive tackle Todd Chandler. "To me he's produced the most on the field and off it. The one thing I've noticed from watching him at camps is what a tremendous leader he is. He pushes the other players around him to be better. He's like Jacory [Harris] and Sean Spence were in high school. He's the leader of the pack and makes his teammates better. Miami needs to make sure they keep him."

> Underrated: Offensive lineman Jonathan Feliciano. "Being from Western, he doesn't play at a school that gets a lot of attention or produces a ton of talent. But when I look at him, I see a lot of similarities between him and Joaquin Gonzalez. He plays with the same mean streak. He's one of the kids who has all the traits you look for. Miami was fortunate to get in on him early and that the kid wants to stick with them."

> Overrated: Defensive tackle Louis Nix. "If you go off his sophomore film, he looks great. But last year I went to see him in person and he was overweight and lazy. That shows you something about the kids character that when he played so well early on, he got lazy and stopped pushing himself. He has the potential to be a great player. But he has to put the work in to be that next level guy. It's a mental battle that whatever coach gets him has to win. That's something the kid has to overcome."

> Potential NFL player: Cornerback Jeremy Davis. "I don't see a definite lock in this group, but that's hard to do before their senior year. I think Davis has the best ingredients, being that his brother Phillip Buchanon is in the league. He's probably the most explosive kid they've got. You can't take that speed for granted. But he's another one that has to have the right mindset and push himself harder than he does."

Comments

[BO$$]

I guess this is where u say 1st!!

[Ronny]

Hey Manny,

which WR's do you seen soming to Miami?

[BO$$]

Can we get a Quarterback, and some true quality corners? I'll be comfortable if we can do that.

[U Gotz Corners ???]

News out of Gainesville, Fl. this early morning ...

a freshman, last night, during summer B, got faced , arrested/detained and ...

check the moon

[BUILD THE CANES A STADIUM!]

NAmmy- I heard Tommy Bowden is being looked at. Rumors, since RS' contract is up? or what?

[CanesCanesCanes]

Hey, "there u are g" and "U Gotz Corners???", are the same person, one in the same. Also the same jerk that constantly spouts racist double-entendres.

How f*cking dare you take a tragedy and use it for your own nefarious, racist agenda. Don't you have a K*K*K meeting in Hogtown to go to.

Manny - really get this joker and his posts off. There is no place for him and his hate-filled venom on these blogs. I guarantee you this is also the same guy that uses expressions such as "marble mouf". Let him post this stuff in the trailer rag, not in this blog. Come on, now, Manny.

[DZ8]

Thanks for the updates Manny.

[Franco]

Hey Manny, when are you actually gonna moderate the Herald Blog?

[CanesShip2010]

Ignorant racist rednecks are all you are Gaytor fans ...

[Cwtrdan]

Is Courtney Harris still on the team? Wasn't he injured seriously last year? I have seen no news about his return for his senior year.

[canesin2010]

I would love to see Jeff Luc, Mccartney, and one of the top dbs from so fl added to that list

[Canesworld]

Hearing these local kids talk it seems that Shannon has not gone after them hard enough. I say that if Shannon does not lock up the top talent in South Florida this year, especially since it's one of the best years for talent ever, then his days at Miami are numbered. I can't understand why Miami is not showing these kids love? Randy is letting his ego get in the way of common sense - if you lose these kids from South Florida Miami will be hard pressed to get back to national prominance.

[NORM IV]

My wishlist/must have recruits...jeff luc, ivan mccartney, brandon linder, torrian wilson, corey lemonier, eduardo clements,and jeffrey godfrey. like to see local kids michaelee harris and jakhari gore also, and of course a top te! It really sucks bad that local stud db's cody riggs and lamarcus joyner from st.thomas aquinas are not coming here. With our needs at db, that's a pretty devastating loss to have 2 of the top 10 corners in the country, that are in your backyard, not come to the U!

[321canes]

Idiots miami has offer alot of local kids, but lets face it ...they are SPOILED! 1 recruit that had an offer chosed wake forest over us? they go from i want a offer, to if i get offer imma commit, to miami is my fav but yet don't even sign......

Give me a br8k!
Bottom line we just need to win and soon we will get alot of recruits!

[321canes]

Whats the use of UMiami showing local recruits Loved when the local recruits don't show Loved back??????????????????????

[Jersey_Cane]

I gotta root for them to grab the kid hold and sign the kid from Western. Its not too often a kid from South Plantation, Western or Cooper City plays for the Canes. Go Wildcats!!!

Those three schools are not notorious for being football factories. As a matter of fact, Olindo Mare played Soccer at Cooper City. He didn't start kicking a football until AFTER he graduated from High School.

[Canesjunkie]

You really can't blame kids for wanting to explore their options with other schools. Wake has excellent academics and Florida kids, who usually have superior athleticism, have a great chance of getting significant playing time.

The lifestyle down here can also wear you out.

In the end we should only want the kids who really want to come to the U.

[Da305atFIU]

Get ready !! We comin !!!

[Coach Poppy]

The best way to get rolling yet again is to focus on your blog site headlines. Focus on making a headline method and do a little analysis. Learn how to generate headlines that make people wish to click on in your website web site.