Key for QB recruit will be relationship with Fisch

University of Miami coach Al Golden and his staff have been busy traveling the country, visiting high school recruits and hosting them over the past month. Now, after building the Canes' commitment list up to a dozen, UM's new coaching staff will try to close the deal on their first, express-style recruiting class by filling some key needs over the next two recruiting weekends.

At the top of the needs list: Quarterback.

The Hurricanes have offered two QBs scholarships thus far -- Palm Beach Dwyer's Jacoby Brissett and Orlando-area Lake Nona High's Kevin Sousa (6-4, 220). Brissett, a U.S. Army-All American, is considered a long shot. Sousa, however, a Wake Forest commitment, appears much more attainable. But in order for the Canes to sway him south, it will likely take a special effort from new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch, who spent his first day at his new job Wednesday after coming over from the Seattle Seahawks.

In one weekend (Sousa hasn't decided if he will visit this weekend or Jan. 28), Fisch will have to top what Wake Forest's Jim Grobe and quarterbacks coach Tom Elrod have built with Sousa since they started recruiting him last April. No easy task. But Sousa's position coach and mentor, Anthony Paradiso, said the Canes will get their shot at his QB, who was committed to Michigan before switching to the Demon Deacons last month.

"He was committed to Michigan [last June]. He had that big-time football commitment," Paradiso said. "Then things changed up there and he felt real comfortable with his visit to Wake Forest. It's been an ongoing evaluation process since. I always tell him 'You always have to keep your options open.' Right now he is committed with Wake Forest. Coach Grobe and Elrod were with him at school today and spent about five hours with him. He's really comfortable with that staff. He's built a great relationship.

"But I tell everybody if you have a great job and get offered another job that might be a little bit better you're going to consider it, doesn't mean you are going to take it. Hopefully on the Miami visit we're going to look at the staff, have a chance to meet the quarterbacks coach, coordinator, see what they're thinking. Coach Golden has spent a lot of time with him. He's a guy they've really targeted, emailing him, letting him know how they feel. It's not like they came in late. They were just hired. Coach Golden has been real receptive of the process. He doesn't want to push anything. He says coach whatever you need to make this happen, we'll be patient. He said 'I'm not just offering him coach. I want him to be my quarterback.'"

Sousa, who grew up playing soccer, didn't begin playing football until his sophomore year of high school. He finished his senior season at winless Lake Nona, a new school, with 1,001 rushing yards and six touchdowns along with 2,239 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Although he is still relatively new to football, Paradiso believes Sousa has a college-football ready body and the raw skills a lot of coaches covet.

"He's athletic and as hungry a kid as you'll find," Paradiso said. "He plays basketball the same way he plays football, wanting to tear the rim off the basket. This year we didn't win any games, but it was our second season as a school. We have 700 to 800 high school students and were playing a Class 3A schedule and 6A teams in the Orlando area. We were close in a couple games, but just didn't have enough in the trenches. Sousa is the biggest, tallest kid on our team. The thing is you have all these kids putting up numbers with a supporting cast. Sousa for the last two years had to make things happen by himself. He's throwing to kids that are 5-7, 5-8. He'll finally realize what a pocket is, what pass protection is. when he gets to the next level.

"He has all the skills. It's finding the right school now for him."

> If Sousa ends up making to UM this weekend or next (we'll find out Thursday), UM will have a big recruiting weekend on tap this week with more than a handful of top-notch visitors from California as well as 5-star defensive end Anthony Chickillo.

Here is a short list of the some of the names scheduled to visit this weekend:

> DE Anthony Chickillo, Tampa Alonso (6-4, 235, 4.7)
> WR George Farmer, Gardena, Calif. Junipero Serra High (6-2, 210, 4.38)
> S Marquise Lee, Gardena, Calif. Junipero Serra High (6-1, 185, 4.62)
> MLB Denzel Perryman, Coral Gables (5-11, 220, 4.60)
> OT Antonio Richardson, Nashville Pearl Cohn (6-6, 310)
> DT Antwaun Woods, Woodland Hills, Calif. Taft (6-1, 310, 5.18)
> S Byron Moore, Los Angeles Harbor Wilmington JC (6-1, 205)
> DT Lonnie Gosha, Lake Butler Union County (6-3, 245)
> CB Rashad Wadood, Lakewood High Calif. (5-10, 181, 4.49)

Recruiting podcast 1/19/11

> Be sure to listen in on our first recruiting podcast of the new year. InsideTheU's David Lake was kind enough to join me for about 20 minutes previewing this coming weekend as well as recapping what the Canes have accomplished thus far on the recruiting trail. The last segment is with Anthony Parasido, Lake Nona's quarterbacks coach.

Comments

[Mike]

Is the podcast on Itunes?

[Dizzle]

Woods isn't coming. Golden asked him to not come because he was only coming to "have fun" and was solid to his USC commitment. No free trips!

[Pjamcanes]

Didn't Lonnie Gosha also just commit to Arkansas?

[MDawg]

Sousa has a mentor.............UHHH OHHHH! Is his name Brian? Skip that shiznit...Let him take that nonsense to Auburn. I hear they pay better.

[3G Cane]

Its his coach einstein

[]_[]

[UM Fan]

I hope that Sousa can make it this weekend. He has the physical tools to a good QB for the U.

..and while I respect Wake Forest, it is NOT the University of Miami in football tradition.

Also, and I don't know what he wants to major in, but the education he can receive at the U is top notch (plus a small class to instructor ratio).

Good luck Kevin, but I hope you decide to come to play with our beloved Canes!!!!!!!

[MDawg]

Mentor or coach...hmmm? How many "coaches" come on recruiting trips with their players?

[ATL Cane]

What is the deal with Jake Rudock? I keep hearing he is still interested. He would be a great acquisition if he is truly interested.

[championships is all that matters]

If Rudock is interested then we should be all over him. Also is there some reason why we are not talking to Gary Nova? I know he is committed to Rutgers but who cares. He plays in a prostyle offense and sounds like a heady player.

[Brooklyn Cane]

Would love to get either or both of these guys. Both are studs and will be very good QB's one day.

[The Golden Age is here]

Jake Rudock.

[Andy]

ive heard that transfering tom savage i looking at the canes. a college starter with playing experience would be huge for this team's depth. he would be huge to land.

[championships is all that matters]

Andy, that would be great if we could get Savage in here. He would have to sit this year unless he could get an exception. But the good thing is he does have a redshirt year to use, so he would still have 2 years of eligibility remaining. Bring him and hopefully we get Rudock or Nova.

[bob sullivan]

guys we have two QB's now. I know you don't want to count JH but he's a senior and if Golden straightens him out he just might be your starter. You can't grab to many QB's there isn't enough footballs, you can't promise them their all going to start. You will just wind up with what happened a few seasons ago when for different reasons 3 left. and we were screwed. Kids aren't going to sit on the bench now a days.

[bob sullivan]

Also don't be playing we are a better school that Wake Forest card, their ranked way ahead of the U and smaller. Sousa can get himself a find education there.

[Cane1]

You are absolutley right bob, dont know why we always put other schools down instead of just uplifting ourselves

[canes4lyfe]

I want j.brissett and j.rudock

[jobseeker]

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[miami maestro]

Go Canes....GO CANES!!!!!

[The Golden Age is here]

Harris cannot and should not ever be allowed to throw a pass for Miami. Are you ---kidding me, Bob Sullivan? Did younot watch the last season? Did you not see that last pass that he threw? I'll give youa guess on who caught his last pass last season: a) Our receivers or b) USF's defenders.

Therefore, UM has 1 QB at the present time.

[hotrodrunner57]

Come on Brennan and AL what did you forget about Jake Ruddock he is in our own backyard,and dont forget Gary Nova their all verbals to other schools.so lets see some SWAGGA to get them here. CANE SINCE 1970

[BertDawg]

I think the florida kids and Richardson are more serious about the recruiting trip than the Cali kids are. I could be wrong. Hope so. I just hope the coaches do what they can to make sure Chickillo remains with his committment to the U ! Go Get 'em !!!!

[S1]

JH has not played well since the 5th game or so of his sophmore year. It looks to me that he got smashed too many times a la Jim Plunkett during his first couple years w New England. With better protection and better play calling, JH can star. Even if he does not, he does not deserve the constant pounding by the "fans."
JH is a college kid not a pro. cane "fans" grow up.

[Kenny PowersSays]

Please find a Texas or California QB.

[202cane]

JH has not played well since the 5th game or so of his sophmore year. It looks to me that he got smashed too many times a la Jim Plunkett during his first couple years w New England. With better protection and better play calling, JH can star. Even if he does not, he does not deserve the constant pounding by the "fans."
JH is a college kid not a pro. cane "fans" grow up.

Posted by: S1 | January 20, 2011 at 08:28
*************

Thank you!!!!

[CANES FAN]

JH has not played well since the 5th game or so of his sophmore year. It looks to me that he got smashed too many times a la Jim Plunkett during his first couple years w New England. With better protection and better play calling, JH can star. Even if he does not, he does not deserve the constant pounding by the "fans."
JH is a college kid not a pro. cane "fans" grow up.

Posted by: S1 | January 20, 2011 at 08:28
*************

Thank you!!!!

Posted by: 202cane | January 20, 2011 at 08:59 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

BRAVO!!!

[Motown Philly Cane]

We are going to lose Grooms to VaTech. Once again, your not with us you get beat by us. BYE BYE GROOMS.

[dbc]

Tate Forcier is leaving Michigan, just announced. Let's pursue him. He is a leader and he can play. Would probably have to sit out a year.(?) But, he is a competitor and would blossom where he was appreciated. He can throw prostyle and isn't afraid to run. Coach Golden, give him a look.Go Canes!

[dbc]

Motown PC,
Why would we lose Grooms to Va. Tech?
He is a prospect and I hope he is with the U where he belongs. Go Canes?

[ChicagoCane]

I don't think Harris is going to start again, but I'll say this. I was watching old Dorsey highlights and he didn't have the best arm either but he did know not to throw floating lollypops all over the place and he made quick decisions. If someone can sit Jacory down and get him to throw direct, determined passes and to make his reads more quickly he could be a serviceable QB. You don't need a cannon for an arm to throw straight, strong passes.

That said, even if he does learn that, Morris is still there and will be learning the same things and I don't see Harris passing him by.

[jra]

I think Golden is doing a great job but when was the last time the "U" recruited a QB who played for a team that did not win one game? Sousa did get offers from Michigan and Wake Forest so that does have some merit. As well as playing with an inferior team. But this situation still makes one wonder if Golden is scraping the bottom of the barrel at this point. Chickillo is the most important recruit that the "U" must keep. No doubt. The "U" must not allow for a kid whoes whole family has played at the "U" to get away.

[Sergeant Shultz...I know nothing!]

Posted by: dbc I was wondering too.

According to Hokie Haven: Virginia Tech met with athlete Kevin Grooms on Wednesday night. Following a commitment on Monday, the Hollywood (Fla.) South Broward prospect clarified his status with the 'Canes and Hokies.

[Bob McNesby]

To quote the King: "Is a puzzlement!" Go Coach Golden and Go Canes.

[305thuglife]

well we recruited a QB that was Mr.Florida undefeated with a state title.....Look how that turned out. let the signing day be official before we pass judgement on a kid.

[Motown Philly Cane]

Posted by: Sergeant

Exactly - why would you commit to us the go to VaTech for a visit still. Nice gangsta pic on your FB, Kevin

[sickofthefans]

They visited him. He didn't visit them you jackass. Do you think people are going to stop recruiting him just because he committed? Are you a dumb@ss? probably.

[Motown Philly Cane]

Posted by: sickofthefans

He is going to VaTech this weekend.

[Clean Blog = Happy Blog]

Posted by: dbc I was wondering too.

According to Hokie Haven: Virginia Tech met with athlete Kevin Grooms on Wednesday night. Following a commitment on Monday, the Hollywood (Fla.) South Broward prospect clarified his status with the 'Canes and Hokies.

Posted by: Sergeant Shultz...I know nothing! | January 20, 2011 at 11:47 AM

Shultz, welcome back. It's much nicer here lately, if you know what I mean.

[Storm Debris]

Right now it seems as though we just need a body at QB. We are looking for lighting in a bottle. All high school recruits are a crap shoot. QB and OL are the most difficult to perdict there future production. I hope that we only sign one QB, thereby leaving room for next year to really go after one of the top ranked QBs.

[Get It Done!!!!!]

What u talking about u cant have that many qb's... thats B.s. the U had Kelly,then recruited Kosar, Testeverde, & was it Jeff Geore, ik it was 1 more person all at the same time!!!! and we becme QB U!!!!!!! We need to get back we dont recruit we reload!!!!!!

[canes4life]

Yes grooms is going to Va tech because he is a man of his word and told them he would visit, hince the reason for his visit this weekend. He also said he is still firm to the canes and would not want to be anywhere else. Please do some research before freaking out and making yourself look like a fool. thanks

[canes4life]

"I'm committed to Miami, I'm just sticking to my word to visit," he said. "I just want to go see the campus and be around the other players and have fun."
...comments by grooms

"I love Miami, the academics, the graduation rate of the athletes and the history of drafting athletes to the NFL," he said. "It can't be beat."

[Cane4life]

Come on, no more JH talk. Morris "could be" the guy, but we need QBs and a lot of competition. Smart, strong, and athletic enough to take off. This is 2011 and in College Football, even the big QBs run. 1,2,3, throw, or take off, not get sacked or throw into God knows where and get picked. Golden is doing a very good job. He likes smart kids as well. Don't see him getting all soupy with the media either, he's out busting it. We may have a surprise or two from the northeast as well! Very good recruiter. Art may be coming back? Things are shakin' at the U. LOVE IT! I feel the ole U excitement startin again! Bout time!
GO CANES!!!!