"Welcome to The U" Gionni Paul.
With National Signing Day less than a week away, the Miami Hurricanes landed their 14th oral commitment Friday morning when the Lakeland Kathleen High School linebacker announced he was switching his future plans from Arizona State to Miami.
"I just did it this morning," Paul (6-0, 227) told CaneSport.com. "I called, talked to coach [Al] Golden and [Micheal] Barrow. They were so excited. They really made me happy, made me feel good, my parents feel good. It was a big decision. It was the best decision for me and my family.
"It just came down to Auburn, Louisville, Miami and Arizona State. It came down to the people. They're great, down to earth people. I love the way coach Golden conducts himself, his program. He's big on discipline. I love the players. There's nothing bad to say about Miami."
According to Canesport.com, Paul got an in-home visit from coach Al Golden on Thursday evening; Arizona State coaches came in for a visit afterward. But it was Golden & Co. that won out.
"Coach Golden came with Barrow," Paul said. "They told me they want me to come in and run the show. They didn't talk to me like recruiting. They talked to me more like from a life perspective."
Paul, who visited UM last weekend, said UM wants him either at middle linebacker or outside. "I'm shooting for nothing less than to play right away," he said. "My goal is to be Freshman Player of the Year in the ACC."
Paul started at safety as a high school freshman before moving to linebacker. Paul is He's rated the nation's No. 33 outside linebacker prospect by Rivals.com. He finished his senior season with 149 tackles, double digit sacks and four interceptions.
So we need LB's and Golden is going out to get them. Makes too much sense!
Posted by: Canesjunkie | January 28, 2011 at 03:20 PM
i agree with you. i was hopin for mauro bondi out of boca as a special teamer. the kids got a rocket for a leg. and he can do all three: field goals, punts, and kickoffs.
Posted by: IIIUMINATI | January 28, 2011 at 03:20 PM
I don't get excited about a player's highlight. It's a highlight. It doesn't sho him when he's getting beat. A two star kid will have the same film if he plays subpar competition. I judge kids on their football I.q. than their speed and hitting ability.
I like the kid tho, just not crazy enough to call him Ray Lewis.
Posted by: i kno da u | January 28, 2011 at 03:28 PM
Just jimboob
Posted by: FSU_UF_Losers | January 28, 2011 at 03:34 PM
Go to Txas anf grab a qb
Locker, Texans headline Senior Bowl QBs
By JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer
MOBILE, Ala. -- Jake Locker wasn't about to skip the Senior Bowl.
The former Washington star is regarded as the top senior quarterback prospect in the upcoming NFL draft, but says playing in Saturday's showcase game is "an awesome opportunity."
Some top QB prospects opt to skip the weeklong audition for NFL teams, but Locker says it was a no-brainer. He'll lead the North team while three Texas high school products quarterback the South, including Alabama's Greg McElroy, TCU's Andy Dalton and Florida State's Christian Ponder.
Posted by: cajuncane | January 28, 2011 at 03:38 PM
ILLUMINATI your not a UM fan period.
Posted by: brian | January 28, 2011 at 03:39 PM
Can someone explain to me why we did not make an offer to Antonio Poole who is a 4 star and appears to be a stud as well as a shoe in to come to Miami, but yet we make an offer to Paul, who I am sure is good, but on paper does not seem to have the same talent as Poole?
Posted by: larry | January 28, 2011 at 03:42 PM
Can someone explain to me why we did not make an offer to Antonio Poole who is a 4 star and appears to be a stud as well as a shoe in to come to Miami, but yet we make an offer to Paul, who I am sure is good, but on paper does not seem to have the same talent as Poole?
Posted by: larry | January 28, 2011 at 03:42 PM
Yeah, is because you are not doing the recruiting that's why. Be happy we are getting this kid for the time coach Golden has.
Posted by: norm | January 28, 2011 at 03:51 PM
LakeWorthCane: "Between now and next Wednesday, we'll get a few more pleasant surprises, I'm sure." I'm sure "I'm sure" is a hope not something about which you're sure. But, hope you're right. Do you happen to know for sure how many more commits we're allowed? If so, please let us know. It appears we're coming up to our limit with more hopefully to recruit at QB (at least 1), DL and S at the minimum.
Posted by: canesss | January 28, 2011 at 03:58 PM
wow. you sound mad. Regardless of the "dellusional" world you live in buddy i think you just need to come to grip with the fact that UF is falling...you ride the tide while it's available. It was nice for a couple of years but with so much competition for players in FL alone there's no way possible that a team ALWAYS considered the 3rd best college team in FL is going to maintain such a high level of success. You see what Miami's #1 recruiting class got them...a new coach. lol. And to actually think UF is going to fair any better...smh. You are on something illegal my friend. And you're bashing Golden for Turning around Temple therefore we can see you have absolutely no football knowledge. ESPECIALLY if you're prasing "musty champ" Staff he assembled. You're talking about Charlie Weiss. Charlie Weiss is a great OC? no. WAS would be more exact. Muschamp coordinated Texas defense right into the ground last year you silly rabbit. They couldn't stop a NOSE BLEED. and you call that a dream team?? Young man untuck your genitals and get some hair on you chest. Because when you talk College football you sound like you have the IQ of a seven year old volleyball player for a high school in Gainesville.
Posted by: futuremeetspresent | January 28, 2011 at 04:07 PM
He has tremendous size, speed, and good grades the type of kids we recruit at Miami. Ray Lewis was a 3 Star coming out of the same high school, the Star Rating system is overrated.
Posted by: Julius Gray | January 28, 2011 at 04:11 PM
He will be a great addition to the "U" family.
Posted by: JesusSaves | January 28, 2011 at 04:13 PM
ILLUMINATI,
Would you rather recruit guys who look BAD in their recruiting videos? And do you have someone better in mind?
Posted by: canes_5rings | January 28, 2011 at 04:16 PM
"dave smith"....from the front of my house I see the construction of the new marlin's stadium...son, if anyone is a gayturd, it is you...I reside and have resided in OB territory for a long, long time...long enough to even watch the fins play there...so let me tell you my boy, if you don't know the difference between a bone-crushing, proper tackle and an arm tackle, you my boy are clueless...the kid may turn out to be a beast, but he definitely needs to work on his tackling...
Posted by: the truthteller | January 28, 2011 at 04:27 PM
ILLUMINATI,
Would you rather recruit players who look BAD in their highlight videos? Do you have any better ideas about who to pursue with that scholarship?
Posted by: canes_5rings | January 28, 2011 at 04:27 PM
As far as the scholarships go as I understand it,the recruits who are enrolling early will not count against this years recruiting class bcuz they enrolled early,so they will count against last years class and with the guys going to the league that opens up slots to fill the early enrolled kids. Golden is working the numbers so that's y they're going after so many recruits.
Posted by: sav cane | January 28, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Kid is a BEAST on film! Love it!
Posted by: The laughing liberal | January 28, 2011 at 05:29 PM
needs to learn to tackle. he wont be able to arm tackle like that in college. gets to the point of attack though......
Posted by: Jim | January 28, 2011 at 05:44 PM
This kid plays with the intensity that we have been waiting for. Welcome to the U! This kid has the best highlite film of all this years recruits. Speed kills! and He has lot of it. Last year Jeffery Brown had the most intense highlite film. I look forward to seeing htos two play together.
Posted by: Storm Debris | January 28, 2011 at 05:45 PM
"Jim".....I agree with you 100%
Posted by: the truthteller | January 28, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Yep....Al Golden RULES! Time to get the U back to the top and making ESPN highlights! Go Canes baby....it's all about the U! whooosh, whooosh! Keep bringing the boys down here that want to wear the green and orange!
Posted by: Hurricane Stu | January 28, 2011 at 06:00 PM
i guess ill pose this question to everyone: while were all excited to have players who have decided to be a part of The U... is there any recruit in particular that youre not really excited about using a scholarship on?
============================================
two particular offers, scholarship for kicker, scholarship for punter, we could then offer these to top-notch talent!
Posted by: G | January 28, 2011 at 06:50 PM
This kid has an old school UM mentalitiy...body slamming guys left and right...wait till they coach him a bit...
Posted by: Joe | January 28, 2011 at 07:07 PM
Rock on!
Posted by: cawyst | January 28, 2011 at 07:34 PM
Can someone explain to me why we did not make an offer to Antonio Poole who is a 4 star and appears to be a stud as well as a shoe in to come to Miami, but yet we make an offer to Paul, who I am sure is good, but on paper does not seem to have the same talent as Poole?
Posted by: larry | January 28, 2011 at 03:42 PM
Because the people that are qualified and get paid to make those decisions felt that way and you, a moron whose only experience in football is in playing Madden all day, watches a couple of youtube highlights and thinks he knows more than a competent and qualified football staff.
Posted by: R | January 28, 2011 at 08:20 PM
i guess ill pose this question to everyone: while were all excited to have players who have decided to be a part of The U... is there any recruit in particular that youre not really excited about using a scholarship on?
============================================
two particular offers, scholarship for kicker, scholarship for punter, we could then offer these to top-notch talent!
Posted by: G | January 28, 2011 at 06:50 PM
You do know that Matt Bosher graduated and was the kicker AND the punter, correct? Complete idiot.
Posted by: R | January 28, 2011 at 08:24 PM
here is half the ESPN write up. HE is a high grade 79 and is ranked #22 on ESPN. He falls just out of there top 150 but is considered a top 22 player.
Gionni Paul , OLBLakeland, FL Kathleen H.S. (FL)
Scouts Grade: 79Position Rank (OLB): 22Miami-FL continues late push luring Gionni Paul from Arizona State
January 28, 2011Jan 2807:35AM PST
Arizona State
Louisville
High three-star linebacker Gionni Paul (Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen) committed to play for the Hurricanes Friday morning,
Posted by: Dom | January 28, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Great to have U as part of the U family Gionni. Can't wait to see U in a Cane uniform crushing people.
Posted by: championships is all that matters | January 28, 2011 at 10:04 PM
OK now I see why people think UM fans dont know football. I just watched this kids reel and of the 30 plays I saw, only 3 of them were jersey tackles and a few were high. Guess what idiots, even Ray Lewis the best LB of all time tackles high now and then... What you low football iq having wanna be scouts should see is a kid with football instincts and the fact that every tackle this kid made ended in the ball carrier going backwards. That is impressive!!! Arm tackles?? How about you guys just watch and stop tring to critique talent!
Posted by: dre | January 28, 2011 at 10:13 PM
A lot of yah just listing his negatives (he arm tackles, he hits to high, etc., etc)...maaaaaaan, that kid is a BEAST! Now its the coaching staffs job to coach him up. What recruit does not have a weakness??? They're playing high school ball...
Posted by: chevyboy79 | January 28, 2011 at 10:56 PM
I know da U...Kathleen High School (Lakeland, FL) is NOT a subpar school and does NOT play against subpar competition
Posted by: chevyboy79 | January 28, 2011 at 11:02 PM
Man we got some fake a** fans on here...smh
Posted by: chevyboy79 | January 28, 2011 at 11:04 PM
How about you guys just watch and stop tring to critique talent!
Posted by: dre | January 28, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Thank you.
Posted by: R | January 29, 2011 at 12:11 AM
NOTHER GOLDEN COUP.THE MORE INFO I HEAR THE MORE CONVINCED I AM r.s REALLY SUCKED AS A HEAD COACH AND A PEOPLE PERSON.TO EVERYONE WHO USES COLOR AS A CRUTCH YOU COULDNT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH ,PLEASE STOP WITH THAT CRAP ALREADY, YOU ARE NOT A CANE FAN YOUARE ONLY A RASCIST.
Posted by: pgcane | January 29, 2011 at 12:26 AM
Man, this guy IS a Beast! Loved his violent tackles. He goes after it.
Can't wait for the season to start.
Welcome to the U, Gionni!!
Posted by: WaitingForAChampionship | January 29, 2011 at 06:17 AM
This "man child" is from Lakeland, Golden keep recruiting kids from the small cities in Florida where there is a ton of talent. Places, such as, Lakeland, Ft. Meade, Frostproof, Avon Park, Belle Glade, Clewiston, Pahokee, Haines City, Quincy, Dunnellon, Crawfordville, etc. Kids in small cities can play too. Definitely recruit kids from Florida(first priority), Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas. For example, Auburn's roster is almost completely Florida, Georgia, and Alabama talent. The kids from the South can run we must recruit athletes who can run to win National Championships again.
Posted by: JesusSaves | January 29, 2011 at 08:40 AM
Everybody he hits goes backwards...LOVE THAT!
Posted by: Jimbomama | January 29, 2011 at 09:39 AM
Did U call Erickson "legendary? please....
Posted by: 'Cool 'Cat | January 29, 2011 at 02:25 PM
This is a great pick up and the highlights barely shows this kids true abilities. he would be ranked in the top 5 at his position if he was 2 inches taller, which is why rankings are not a true reflections of ones abilities. this kid has heart passion and instincts comparable to a young Jonathan Vilma! and for those not familiar with Kathleen Highschool its most famous Alumni(Ray Lewis) has tutored this kid for the past two summers. Yes, this kid has worked with Ray Ray as we call him. This kid will end up as the hidden gem of this recruiting class!!
Posted by: Tin Man | January 29, 2011 at 06:12 PM
All I know from what I read is that Golden has, to this point, exceeded all expectations at this pace we will win the ACC in two years-- with us back in the hunt for a national championship. Good Luck to all the new faces, I think the new recruits have come to the right place at the right time, the returnees now have a second chance to prove themselves as players... did they lack talent, desire or coaching? Go Canes !!
Posted by: BG | January 29, 2011 at 09:44 PM
I liked a lot about the highlight reel, but, um, that style of beast toss spin slam tackling won't be the way in college. But I did like the feet, the positioning and the attitude.
Posted by: Count_schemula | January 30, 2011 at 12:02 AM
brian, yea i am actually. im just not an idiot. i dont see everything everything as warm and fuzzy no matter what happens. all im doing is stating concerns. im critical of my team because i care. and after nearrly a decade of garbage, its to be expected that id be frustrated, and question the actions of those in charge. i bet you thought shannon was a great coach up until the moment he was fired. from the looks of it, we have a great coach in place now. but that doesnt make him impervious to mistakes.
Posted by: IIIUMINATI | January 30, 2011 at 07:36 PM
cj johnson, kent turene, aj johnson, lateek townsend... just to name a few
Posted by: IIIUMINATI | January 30, 2011 at 08:58 PM