Eye on the U

Testaverde latest Hurricane headed to College Football Hall of Fame

Heisman trophy winning Hurricanes quarterback Vinny Testaverde will be one of 14 former players and coaches who will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2013 class.

The National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame made the joint announcement Monday during the telecast of College Football Live on ESPN. The remainder of the 14-member FBS class will be announced Tuesday at noon press conference from the NASDAQ OMX Market Site in New York City.

Testaverde was Miami’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 1986 and led the Hurricanes to three bowl berths. He went 23-3 as a starter playing for legendary coaches Howard Schnellenberger and Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson.

The Bucs picked Testaverde as the No. 1 overall selection in the 1987 NFL Draft, and his pro career spanned 21 seasons with seven different teams. The 1998 All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl selection finished his NFL career seventh all-time in passing yards (46,233) and eighth in touchdowns (275).

He remains among only four Hurricanes to have their jerseys retired at Miami.

Testaverde will become sixth Miami Hurricane player and 10th overall to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame. He joins: Bennie Blades (2006), Don Bosseler (1990), Andy Gustafson (1985), Jack Harding (1980), Ted Hendricks (1987), Jimmy Johnson (2012), Russell Maryland (2011), Gino Torretta (2009) and Arnold Tucker (2008).

The 2013 College Football Hall of Fame FBS Class will be inducted Dec. 10, 2013, at the 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. They will be honored guests Jan. 2, 2014, at the National Hall of Fame Salute in New Orleans at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Bucs draft RB Mike James in sixth round

Mike James, rushed for career-best 621 yards and 6 TDs on 147 attempts as a senior for the Hurricanes, got his name called in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

The Bucs plucked James with the 21st pick, 189th overall. He was the 18th running back taken off the board. 

James was the second Hurricane to be taken in the draft. The Rams drafted cornerback Brandon McGee in the fifth round. 

The Hurricanes have now had a player taken in the NFL Draft 38 consecutive seasons. 

McGee becomes first Cane drafted, goes in 5th round to Rams

Brandon McGee's NFL dreams came true Saturday afternoon when the St. Louis Rams took him with the 16th pick in the fifth round, 149th overall.

McGee, a two-year starter at cornerback for the Hurricanes, was the first UM player taken in this year's NFL Draft. He was the 22nd cornerback taken off the board. 

STL! We On.

— Brandon McGee (@B_McGee21) April 27, 2013

McGee, a former standout at nearby Plantation High School, started all 12 games as a senior and finished tied for sixth on team with 54 tackles and tied for the team lead with two INTs. After the season he was the recipient of the Captain's Award and Plumer Award for Leadership, Motivation and Spirit.

Mike James, who rushed for career-best 621 yards and 6 TDs on 147 attempts as a senior, is likely the next Hurricane who will get drafted. So far, 13 running backs have been taken off the board through about 150 picks. 

"We're excited to see some of our guys get drafted here in the next couple days," UM coach Al Golden said earlier this week. "Our staff is working hard to make those that don't get drafted get great free agent opportunities."

Canes miss out on Michel, but tailback tandem of the future could be at Miami Central

Heralded Plantation American Heritage five-star running back Sony Michel made his college announcement Friday and it wasn't what the Hurricanes were hoping for.

Two thirds of this talented Miami Central trio -- Joseph Yearby and Trevor Darling -- are trying to convince Dalvin Cook (right) to commit to the Canes too.

Michel, considered the fifth best recruit regardless of position according to Rivals.com, chose the Georgia Bulldogs over the Hurricanes because he "wanted something different."

Michel (5-11, 205) is the second straight highly-touted running back from Broward County to choose an SEC school over the Hurricanes. In February South Plantation star tailback Alex Collins chose Arkansas over Miami. 

As disappointing as those losses may be, Canes fans shouldn't be totally heartbroken. Something different could end up being a good thing come February when Michel and the rest of the 2014 signing class has to put their commitments to paper and sign National Letters of Intent.

As it stands, the Hurricanes have Miami Central standout Joseph Yearby, the sixth-best running back in the country according to Rivals, as a 2014 commitment. And getting his teammate, Dalvin Cook, rated the fourth-best running back in the country by Rivals, to saddle up with the Canes may not be far-fetched. Cook, currently committed to Florida, said earlier this week continuing his college career alongside Yearby and UM-bound offensive tackle Trevor Darling, another Miami Central standout, is something three have been discussing plenty.

"We talk about it a lot. Playing together at the next level would be a fun experience," Cook said. "This recruiting process is crazy. Things happen. A lot of it changes. All of us are graduating early. Miami? I'm letting them recruit me. We'll see what happens."

Yearby, who has shared the backfield with Cook for the defending Class 6A state champions the last two years, sharing it in college is no big deal to him. 

"Our families want to see us stay together because they say me and Dalvin are the best duo they've seen in years," Yearby said. "They would love to see us play at the next level again. Coach Golden, too. Playing at home is very attractive. It's not like we've got to go build ourselves up. Everybody knows us and will come support us."

Of course, it's no guarantee Cook, Yearby and Darling pick Miami as the place where all three play together at the next level. USF hired their former high school coach Telly Lockette two months ago and teamming up together in Tampa isn't something the three say is out of the question.

"What's exciting about that is we could go play for a coach we had for three years, so it would be a very good choice for us to make, too," Yearby said.

Yearby (5-10, 185) said USF and USC continue to pursue him.

Cook (5-11, 195), once a Clemson commitment, also has an older brother, new Canes' basketball guard Deandre Burnett, pushing him to stay home.

Terry's career finished with the Canes; Golden mum on transfer rumors

UM coach Al Golden made it pretty clear Thursday -- freshman linebacker Gabe Terry is no longer a Hurricane and won't be again.

"Gabe was suspended before the incident and we didn't take him to the spring game. Gabe is no longer with our football team," Golden said. "It's done. Again, I apologize. I don't know what [information] was released on our end, but he's no longer with the team. He was suspended before the incident. We've separated and moved in another direction."

Terry, arrested last Friday morning after being found by police face down on the steps near his dorm with 26.8 grams of marijuana, had been suspended indefinitely according to UM's sports information department before Thursday. But it's official now -- Terry is the fourth defensive player (Eddie Johnson, Gionni Paul, Thomas Finnie) to be booted from the team since the end of last season. Golden said he handles all disciplinary issues the same.

"It's certainly case by case and it certainly has to do with the resume of the young man in terms of whether or not there were any incidents in his career here and whether or not he does all the things we ask him to do here," Golden explained.

In other news:

> Golden expects to have everybody on the roster healthy and back by Aug. 1 with the exception of defensive end Dyron Dye. "But it sounds like Dyron will have a chance to be back during training camp, which is great," Golden said.

> Golden described the situation with senior running back Eduardo Clements, who told The Miami Herald last month he was definitely coming back this fall, as "still a little tenuous."

"I know he's anxious to come back. All indications are he will be cleared," Golden said. "But in terms of the medical aspects of that I have to make sure I'm careful with that and don't overstep my bounds."

> As far as the backup running back situation is concerned, Golden said: "I was pleased with Dallas Crawford. He had a really good spring, certainly showed his interchangeable and can do a lot of things with the football... Danny Dillard made a lot progress. Gus Edwards is a big back coming in. The eight ball, the guy who threw us the curve was Mo Hagens. Mo really grew as a ballcarrier."

> Although there are rumors out there receiver Robert Lockhart may be interested in transferring, Golden said it's premature to address those because players are still taking exams and the semester hasn't ended.

"It would be premature for me to say that or speculate on that when nothing is definitive," Golden said. "It's probably prudent for me to wait until we're finished with [spring] exams and then make a release. Obviously every year at this time there are kids for a variety of reasons -- to go home, play earlier, seek transfer. The best thing for us to do is let it play out and then release it all on one day."

> Despite the loss of three linebackers from the end of last season, Golden said he's confident there is enough depth at the position and raved about the growth of freshman Alex Figueroa.

"I just kept waiting for him to hit a wall and he never did," Golden said of Figueroa. "He's a mature kid. His parents are marines. Very disciplined young man, very tough. He comes to us 6-3 and 230, very strong, physical, smart, explosive. You're talking about when this guy is all said and done he's going be 250, running and a smart player. We're excited about his progress. He's kind of thrown away the freshman tag because he doesn't act like it at all. He's started from the first practice to the last and did the same in the off-season program with his conditioning. He's on a mission right now. We're going to continue to let him grow and do his thing. "

> As for his team's new punter Pat O'Donnell, Golden said: "Pat is going to give us a great opportunity and really the experience we need, the veteran player we need," he said. "I'm excited about [Matt] Goudis. He did a lot of good things this spring to take that next step. We're going to supplement Pat with a lot of eager walk-ons that want to come in and earn a scholarship. Pat kind of bridges that gap. O'Donnell definitely gives us an opportunity to be steady because we were really steady there there the last two years."

Canes freshman LB Gabe Terry -- tased during his arrest -- has hearing set for May 20th

Suspended Hurricanes linebacker Gabriel Terry was tased during his arrest early Friday morning, moments after school police officers found the 19-year old freshman sleeping face down on the steps near the rear entrance of his dorm and with a Ziploc bag filled with 26.8 grams of marijuana in the left-side pocket of his shorts.

According to the arrest affidavit from the Coral Gables police department, officers woke Terry up at around 3:48 a.m. and asked him several times to stand up and put his hands behind his back, but he did not comply. Terry then began to argue and pushed an officer away with his body before police shoved him to the ground in an attempt to handcuff him. Terry, who turns 20 on Sept. 21st, was warned he would be tased according to the report, but didn't comply and was able to standup before police used the taser to subdue him. The report said Terry eventually cooperated.

Coral Gables fire rescue was called "to retrieve the [taser] prongs" from Terry's back. Terry was charged with felony possession of cannabis and resisting an officer without violence. He was released Saturday after posting $6,000 bond.

Terry, who has a troubled history as a juvenile and whose father is serving a life sentence in a Central Florida prison for a 2001 murder, has an arraignment hearing scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on May 20th.

Listed as 6-3 and 210 pounds on the spring roster, Terry played in seven games as a freshman. He finished with five tackles and blocked a punt against Virginia Tech. He was suspended for the Virginia and USF games late last season, though UM coach Al Golden never specified what Terry had done wrong.

UM has taken Terry's name off its roster online and suspended him indefinitely. UM's defense has parted ways with three underclassmen -- linebackers Gionni Paul and Eddie Johnson and cornerback Thomas Finnie -- since the end of last season following suspensions and or arrests.

Canes hoops honored in Tallahassee, sign JUCO forward James Kelly

Thursday turned out to be a pretty good day for the Hurricanes' basketball team.

Coach Jim Larranaga and athletic director Blake James were in the state capitol building Thursday and honored on the floor of the house of representatives and senate, who designated April 18th, 2013 as University of Miami Hurricanes Men's Basketball Day in Florida.

That was nice, but so was seeing junior college transfer James Kelly officially sign his National Letter of Intent. The 6-7, 240-pound forward from Division II Owens Community College in Findlay, Ohio is considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com. He averaged 18.3 points and 10.1 rebounds a game last season and is know for some pretty vicious dunks on YouTube. Here are a few links (CLIP 1, CLIP 2, CLIP 3)

Kelly also had recruiting interest from Clemson, Louisiana Tech, Marshall and St. Bonaventure. He's the third player to sign with UM joining Deandre Burnett and Davon Reed, who signed in the early signing period. Running back Corn Elder, who signed a football scholarship with the Hurricanes, is also expected to play hoops this coming season for Jim Larranaga.

Post-spring depth chart released, Canes add punter from Cincinnati

Coach Al Golden released his team's post-spring depth chart Tuesday with one notable addition -- a new punter.

Pat O'Donnell, a graduate from the University of Cincinnati, is listed as the Canes' No. 1 punter and is also listed on the depth chart for field goals, kickoffs and placeholder. O'Donnell has signed a financial aid agreement with the University of Miami and is expected to enroll in either the summer or fall semesters according to UM. O'Donnell averaged 41.8 yards per punt on 59 attempts with the Bearcats in 2012, while dropping 23 kicks inside the 20-yard line and booting 10 kicks of 50+ yards.

UM returns 10 starters on offense and nine on defense from its 2012 squad that finished 7-5 overall and tied for first in the ACC Coastal Division with a 5-3 league mark. Several players were held out of spring practice due to injury, including LB Thurston Armbrister, RB Eduardo Clements, WR Robert Lockhart Jr., C Shane McDermott and DL David Perry. WR Malcolm Lewis, who was held out for the majority of spring practice, made his debut during the Spring Game with a scripted 75-yard TD catch - his first action since a season-ending ankle injury last September at Georgia Tech.

Freshman Alex Figueroa is listed as the Canes' No. 1 outside linebacker, the only freshman listed as a starter following spring practice.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE HOW THEY'RE LISTED (REMEMBER THERE WILL BE INCOMING FRESHMEN IN THE FALL)

Download UM_FB_2013_Post-Spring_Depth

D'Onofrio, Coley provide thoughts on Spring Game

Sometimes when you watch a game it's hard not to just trust your eyes and rush to judgement. It's like stealing the ball at half court and having the lane completely open for a slam dunk.

When it comes to spring football games, though, you can't just call it like you see it. Schemes are simplified and in UM's case Saturday with the game being televised on ESPN3 coaches made sure to keep things pretty basic on both sides.

Mark D'Onofrio's defense ran two coverage schemes -- basic man and zone. But really it was a lot of man coverage without any blitz packages, he said. Offensively, James Coley didn't want show anything either.

The difference: he had Stephen Morris, Duke Johnson and a set of receivers who are clearly better than anything UM has in its secondary when it comes to old-fashioned, beat your man one-on-one football.

And that's really what we learned from this scrimmage. When it comes right down to it, Miami's offense is way ahead of the defense. Luckily for D'Onofrio he'll get to be creative when the season starts. Plus, more help is still on the way.

"We wanted to get the guys out there and challenged a little bit, get some matchups, put some guys against some guys -- some of our corners -- that weren't going against the 1s and find out if they could do it," D'Onforio said.

"It's good to see the guys [in vanilla scheme]: Can you beat a block? And can you cover somebody?" D'Onofrio said. "At the end of the day it's not a call generated scrimmage where you're putting them in position to do something or giving them some type of advantage. At the end of the day it's can they beat the guy across from them. It's a nice way to do it."

Morris pretty much showed everyone why his senior season could be special. He picked apart a mixed collection of UM starters on defense, finishing 13 of 23 for 256 yards and four touchdowns -- all that without a healthy Allen Hurns or Phillip Dorsett out there. His backups, meanwhile, showed just how far behind Morris they really are. Ryan Williams, last year's backup, finished 10 of 25 for 123 yards, 1 TD and two bad interceptions. Gray Crow did nothing to take the backup job away from Williams either, finishing 2 of 8 for a mere 50 yards.

"I was pleased with some of the execution," Coley said. "We had the thought of throwing the ball deep today and we did it. The other scrimmages and stuff like that we we're looking at other schemes and stuff we put in [installed]. This was probably an old school type of deal. You're in pro formation and either running the ball or throwing it deep. I liked how some of the guys looked out there. [Rashawn] Scott looked good. Stephen threw the ball really well and [left tackle] Flowers blocked unbelievable. When I wanted five yards I went to the left side for five yards."

Scott, suspended for the final three games of last season, pretty much took Tracy Howard's lunch money on a daily basis this spring. Howard wanted a one-on-one matchup with him again Saturday and just couldn't ward off the 6-2, 204-pound receiver, who by my set of eyes was clearly the most impressive receiver on the field this spring. Saturday he finished with five catches for 94 yards and two scores -- both on Howard.

"I don't know what he did in the past. I just know from when I got here his focus level -- he's been challenged everyday and he's responded," Coley said. "I like him. I like 'em big like that."

> Sophomore receiver Herb Waters had three catches for 50 yards and a score before leaving Saturday's game with a shoulder injury. He was in a sling for most of the second half.

"He's fine," Coley said. "We got a look at D'Mauri [Jones] a little bit. He made some nice catches. That was a blessing in disguise. We know what we have Herb. He's had a solid spring."

Jones finished with one catch for nine yards. Redshirt freshman Jontavious Carter had a much better day. He led the team with five catches for 113 yards -- including a 48-yarder in the first quarter where he left starting corner Ladarius Gunter in the dust.

As bad as UM's corners looked Saturday, D'Onofrio said he isn't worried about his top three -- Gunter, Howard and Antonio Crawford. But that doesn't mean he's not looking for help.

"I think its improved," D'Onofrio said of his secondary, which ranked 102nd in pass defense last season. "I'm still looking for some -- we're trying to figure out the fourth, fifth corner situation. We got some guys coming in that will help us out in that area. I'm looking forward to Artie [Burns] to coming in and playing corner and see how he competes with some of those guys. I feel good about Gunter. I feel good about Crawford. I feel good about Tracy [Howard]. [Nate] Dortch (beaten plenty Saturday) had a good spring. He had a couple on him today. I thought he improved. We'll just keep looking and see where we're at.

"As far as the safeties goes, Kacy didn't play today. He was out the whole spring. We look forward to him coming back. Jamal Carter is coming in. We're looking forward to building some depth there."

MORE NEWS AND NOTES

> Linebacker Denzel Perryman had two tackles (one for loss) and two interceptions in Saturday's scrimmage. But it's clear coaches want him to raise his game this fall.

"I'm looking forward to Denzel making a lot of progress over the summer," D'Onofrio said. "I think he's capable of playing at another level than he played with this spring. I think that comes with preparation, the day in and day out competing that he's capable of. I have high expectations for him. I'll continue to challenge him because I want to get the most out of him I can."

> Freshman linebacker Alex Figueroa, praised plenty by D'Onofrio this spring, hardly made a dent in Saturday's scrimmage. But there's a reason. "He's been nursing an ankle for the last 2 1/2 weeks," D'Onofrio said. "He's a tough guy. He fought through it. He didn't miss any [practices] which says a lot. He got a tough injury in the ninth practice, before the Naples scrimmage. We limited him some, but he never really missed any time."

> Will Saturday's defensive effort sway D'Onofrio from saying this was a good spring?

"Not at all," he said. "I thought guys did a great job. I thought we had a really good spring. Again, today we broke up the teams. So on defense we were broken up. It wasn't necessarily the first team or second team defense. We had a lot of mix and match in there, not necessarily a lot of guys who had played together in the spring. [The other two] scrimmages is where we controlled it. We tried to take a look at the top of guys. We didn't get past maybe 16 guys who were in there one time.

"I was really pleased -- particularly the second scrimmage. I'm really happy with where we're at. We'll look at this tape and look at the individuals. But kind of how this spring went, very happy with where we're at out there. Guys did a great job."

> Dallas Crawford had three catches for 33 yards and nine carries for just 19 yards and a touchdown Saturday, but it's safe to say he's earned the job as Duke Johnson's backup this spring.

"I love Dallas. Dallas gives so much," Coley said. "He's a guy that can play a lot of things for us. He's the guy."

> Tight end Beau Sandland, UM's most hyped new arrival on offense, finished with three catches for 30 yards Saturday. Although he didn't have an overwhelming spring, Coley saw progress.

"It's always hard when you're learning a system," Coley said. "You got to play fast because you're playing against faster folks. Now he's picking it up, processing it and starting to play fast. And guess what spring is over with. Let's take that over to fall and hopefully he'll get going."

FINAL STATS

SCORING PLAYS
Orange: Herb Waters 13 pass from Stephen Morris (Matt Goudis kick)
White: Garrett Kidd 13 pass from Ryan Williams (Ricky Perez kick)
Orange: Malcolm Lewis 75 pass from Stephen Morris (Matt Goudis kick)
Orange: Rashawn Scott 15 pass from Stephen Morris (Matt Goudis kick)
Orange: Rashawn Scott 14 pass from Stephen Morris (Matt Goudis kick)
White: Ricky Perez 26 FG
White: Andre Johnson 45 pass from Gino Torretta (Ricky Perez kick)
Orange: Dallas Crawford 2 run (Matt Goudis kick)
White: Ricky Perez 40 FG

PASSING: Stephen Morris 13-23-0-256 4 TD; Ryan Williams 10-25-2-123 1 TD, Gray Crow 2-8-0-50.

RUSHING: Duke Johnson 10-120, Maurice Hagens 8-39, Dallas Crawford 9-19 1 TD, Danny Dillard 8-16, Stephen Morris 1-2.

RECEIVING: Jontavious Carter 5-113, Rashawn Scott 5-94 2 TD, Herb Waters 3-50 1 TD, Dallas Crawford 3-33, Beau Sandland 3-30, Garrett Kidd 3-19 1 TD, Malcolm Lewis 1-75 1 TD, D’Mauri Jones 1-9, Stephen Sweeney 1-6.

TACKLES: Ladarius Gunter 5, Tracy Howard 5, Shayon Green 4, Rayshawn Jenkins 4, Tyrone Cornileus 4, Larry Hope 4, Deon Bush 4, Nantambu Fentress 3, Earl Moore 3, Jalen Grimble 3, Corey King 3, Tyriq McCord 3, Jordan Tolson 3, Denzel Perryman 2, Raphael Kirby 2, Luther Robinson 2, AJ Highsmith 2, Jimmy Gaines 2, Ronald Regula 2, Nate Dortch 2, Dequan Ivery 2, Anthony Chickillo 1, Olsen Pierre 1, Curtis Porter 1, Ricardo Williams 1, Brandon Yosha 1, Akil Craig 1

SACKS: Luther Robinson 2 (-14), Anthony Chickillo 1 (-11)

TACKLES FOR LOSS: Luther Robinson 2 (-14), Anthony Chickillo 1 (-11), Shayon Green 1 (-5), Denzel Perryman 1 (-2), Curtis Porter 1, (-1), Ladarius Gunter .5 (-2), Larry Hope .5 (-2).

FORCED FUMBLES: Corey King 1

FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Tyriq McCord 1.

PASSES DEFENDED: Ladarius Gunter 2, Nate Dortch 1, Raphael Kirby 1.

INTERCEPTIONS: Denzel Perryman 2 (45 yards)

KICKING: Ricky Perez 2/2 FG (Long: 40), 2/2 PAT; Matt Goudis 0/1 FG, 5/5 PAT

PENALTIES: Orange 6-50, White 2-10

Video of staged touchdown pass to Canes receiver Malcolm Lewis during Saturday's spring game

OK, so it wasn't exactly original. But the Canes still provided a nice moment for fans and receiver Malcolm Lewis on Saturday when they scripted a 75-yard touchdown pass to him from Stephen Morris.

Miami's defense let Lewis catch the pass uncovered and then jogged behind him to celebrate with him and the rest of the team in the end zone.

Nebraska's football team did something similar last week for a young boy battling cancer.

Lewis, who dislocated his ankle in what really was a gruesome season-ending injury at Georgia Tech last September, has been ahead of schedule in his rehab. He said last week he expected to be ready for contact in the fall.

Scripted as the touchdown to Lewis may have been, the emotions teammates and coaches shared with Lewis in the end zone were real.

Here is the video courtesy of Hurricanesports.com

Canes sophomore middle linebacker Raphael Kirby making impression this spring

It wasn't quite as memorable as Micheal Barrow's hit on Florida State's Tamarick Vanover or even as bone-jarring as Jonathan Vilma's blow to Nebraska's Ben Zajicek.

But when sophomore middle linebacker Raphael Kirby laid out freshman tight end Standish Dobard with a vicious hit during last Friday's scrimmage in Naples it definitely evoked memories of the days when the Hurricanes had a nasty presence in the middle of its defense.

Kirby (6-0, 230) celebrated his hit by raising his arms in triumph while Dobard (6-4, 255) laid on the ground waiting for trainers to come check him out and escort him off the field. Except for the 15-yard penalty Kirby would have received for taunting on the hit, UM coach Al Golden said Tuesday he's liked just about everything he's seen from his sophomore middle linebacker this spring.

"Kirb is going to be good," Golden said. "He's a bright kid and he's a hard worker. He's got to get to the point where it's second nature and he's not thinking. He's getting there. He's made a lot of progress this spring. He's been in a black shirt the majority of the time.

"He shows up at scrimmages. He had three or four physical plays the other night. You know, the taunting notwithstanding, which obviously, in that situation we taunt, we give them 15 yards and it turns into a touchdown or whatever. And that's a lesson for the whole team. But that notwithstanding they played really physical the other night and we've just got to continue to move him forward. But I'm excited about Kirby."

Kirby, an early enrollee as a freshman, was well on his way to making an immediate impact last season when he injured his right knee during a fall scrimmage. He came back for the final seven games of the season and tallied just 16 tackles.

"When I came back I was probably like 75 percent," Kirby said Tuesday. "I pushed through it, played when they called my number and got the experience."

But playing at 75 percent was definitely frustrating. Kirby would often limp around and favor his left leg. Now at 100 percent, he's been splitting reps with senior Jimmy Gaines at middle linebacker.

He said he gained 15 pounds of muscle in the off-season and now bench presses the NFL-testing standard of 225 pounds a total of 28 reps (junior Denzel Perryman is tops among linebackers with 33 reps).

"This spring I've just been working on being more vocal and being very physical, playing attached, getting guys lined up and being a leader in the middle," Kirby said.

"My goal [in Saturday' spring game] is to go out and have fun, play fast and get to the football and make plays."

Kirby did that last Friday. Aside from his crushing blow on Dobard, he tallied five tackles and had a pass deflection in pass coverage. But that hit Dobard definitely left an impression. Coaches made Kirby run sprints for the final portion of the scrimmage after the hit. Kirby said he apologized to Dobard afterward and said there is no bad blood.

"I believe I can be that type of player," Kirby said of being a vicious hitter in Miami's defense. "You just have to play balls to the wall every play. You can make a lot of plays and be dynamic when you stick to your assignment."

> Defensive end Jelani Hamilton injured his knee during Tuesday's practice according to Golden.

"He got hurt in a warm up drill, went down to pick up a fumble and got hurt," Golden said. "I really have no idea [how long he will be out]. Non-contact injury. Obviously we're concerned about it. It's unfortunate. We're trying to reach his family to get an MRI. Definitely an injured leg."

> Former Hurricanes recruit Angelo Jean-Louis, now at Marshall, was arrested Tuesday morning on felony charges of using a stolen credit card to purchase roughly $25 worth of food at a 7-11.

Eduardo Clements says he will be ready for contact this fall

NAPLES -- Hurricanes tailback Eduardo Clements was wearing a headset during Friday's scrimmage at Naples High. But he expects that -- and the neck brace he's been wearing for months -- to be replaced with a football helmet soon.

The 5-9, 192-pound senior from Booker T. Washington High, whose health and future with UM has been in question, said Friday he will have his brace taken off in the next two weeks and expects to be full-go when fall practice rolls around.

"I'm really happy that I will be getting this thing off," Clements said Friday. "At first they thought it was a stinger, but then they realized I had to have surgery for a herniated disk. I'm really going to be excited to be back out there with the guys soon."

Clements' return will provide experience behind ACC Freshman of the Year Duke Johnson as well as depth alongside sophomore Dallas Crawford.

Redshirt freshman Danny Dillard (6-2, 210) appeared to injure his shoulder during Friday's action. But he got praised by UM coach Al Golden for his work after Friday's scrimmage when asked how Johnson's backups have been performing.

"We're giving the ball to Maurice Hagens more. He's answering. Mo is a physical runner, has a good lateral cut. He's showing some niftiness. I'm excited about it," Golden said. "I thought Danny ran hard on the goalline," Golden said. "I think Danny Dillard is starting to understand who he is. He's got to be a big back and wear people down. What can you say about Dallas? He's having arguably the best spring on the offensive side of the ball."

Scott, Chickillo shine in Canes' second scrimmage out in Naples

NAPLES -- Things didn't exactly go as planned for Anthony Chickillo or Rashawn Scott last season. 

So far this they're showing signs their sophomore struggles could be behind them.

Chickillo tallied three sacks and batted two passes at the line of scrimmage and Scott hauled in nine passes for 128 yards and a touchdown as the Hurricanes wrapped up their second scrimmage of the spring in front of about 3,000 people at Naples High Friday night.

"I thought we were crisp," said UM coach Al Golden, who estimated his first team units got about 60 reps and his second team units about 55. "We completed some throws, did some good things on both sides of the ball, kicked the ball fairly well. It was much better [than the first scrimmage two weeks ago]. We had a good tempo. I thought the guys were in better condition, not as many mental errors and I thought we got a lot done."

The Hurricanes, who produced just 13 sacks last season on defense, tallied seven sacks and three interceptions in all Friday. Chickillo picked up the first two sacks before senior Kelvin Cain (two sacks and an interception), redshirt freshman Dwayne Hoilett (one sack), sophomore Tyriq McCord (one sack) started getting pressure on the quarterbacks, too.

"I think we are doing better," Chickillo said of UM's defense, which set all kinds of records last season for futility. "We're playing the run better. Guys are staying in their gaps and a lot of the sacks come from good coverage. Guys aren't blowing coverage assignments. We just have to keep working."

Scott, the team's second leading receiver a year ago before he was suspended for the final three games of the season for undisclosed reasons, made a handful of spectacular catches. He had a lunging nine-yard grab on third down to keep the offense's first scoring drive alive and then added a 32-yard catch later by fighting off cornerback Tracy Howard for the football as he fell to the ground.

Later in the scrimmage, Scott yanked in another 19-yard pass on third down to setup a Stephen Morris to Allen Hurns 8-yard touchdown pass two plays later. But Scott's highlight of the night was catching a short pass in the flat from Ryan Williams and turning it up field for a touchdown that spanned 27 yards.

"I think this is a big step for him," Golden said. "He practiced well, didn't have a great first scrimmage, but took care of business today. I'm pleased with what he's doing."

Said quarterback Gray Crow of Scott: "It's just a complete 180 with his attitude on and off the fld. He's willing to do anything. He's coachable. I just feel like there's a difference compared to last year."

Crow, embattled with Williams for the backup quarterback position, finished 8 of 17 passing for 72 yards one touchdown and an interception. But he stood out by engineering a 12-play, 99-yard scoring drive by going 6 of 8 for 67 yards on the drive. Williams finished 6 of 12 for 93 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Morris went 20 of 33 for 133 yards and two scores. 

"That's a battle," Golden said of the backup quarterback job. "Gray led a nice drive from a backed up position and Ryan answered [with a field goal]. We'll look at both of them, evaluate them more thoroughly. But there's a good competition brewing with for the two-spot right now."

> The three touchdown passes to Scott, Hurns and Dallas Crawford (a 12-yarder from Crow) were the only scores for the offense during non red-zone work. The running game never really got going. Duke Johnson finished with 15 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown in red zone work. Crawford had 10 carries for 20 yards and a rushing touchdown in red zone work. 

> Kicker Matt Goudis made a 20-yard field goal but missed a 41-yarder later. He finished 3 of 5 later in field goal work (makes of 49, 41 and 45 and misses of 41 and 53).  

> Redshirt freshman cornerback Nate Dortch and walk-on Alex Irastorza had interceptions.

Golden calls Tuesday's practice best since he's been coach; Dyron Dye, M. Lewis, Jontavious Carter news

The University of Miami did not release a new depth chart following its first football scrimmage of the spring on Saturday, but its safe to say whoever failed to perform to the level expected of them brought their A-games on Tuesday.

Hurricanes coach Al Golden called Tuesday's practice: "the best since I've been a Miami Hurricane coach."

Why so good? According to Golden the team's most talented players didn't play their best Saturday and a lot of them came out with "pride because they didn't live up to their own expectations or they felt a little heat from somebody."

"There were a lot of guys in that scrimmage the other day that either weren't happy with their performance or got a sniff of it or two and are now running with the [first team]. I think the whole competition level rose today and guys responded," Golden said. "It had all the elements of a great practice. It had very few mental errors and had a great approach from the get-go. They started fast and competed. I had to keep looking at my watch because it was moving so fast. We got a lot done."

> Despite acknowledging that a leg injury to Dyron Dye on Saturday is "significant," Golden wasn't ready to release any more news on the fifth-year senior defensive end on Tuesday "until I hear from the medical people."

"It's terribly disappointing. It was basically a non-contact [injury] if you will, just running," Golden said. "We're all praying for him. Hopefully we'll have some good news here."

While Dye's injury doesn't appear to be good, Golden said every other player dinged up on Saturday was back at practice Tuesday. One guy who isn't practicing, but showing positive signs coming off injury is sophomore receiver Malcolm Lewis.

"I don't know if you were at the scrimmage the other day but he was out pregame running routes, which I didn't okay and was surprised as anybody to see it," Golden said. "But if he's out there it's because the trainers said it was okay for him to do it. I was just shocked to go out there and see him coming out of a break.

"That's amazing. That is an amazing feat, really a medical miracle that he's able to do that. We'll be careful with him until June, keep his weight down and then condition him on the bike and get him stronger. We're really excited for him to have a full recovery."

> With the number of scholarship running backs a bit low, Golden said the focus this spring has been to get sophomore Duke Johnson to learn to carry the load "and teaching him to be a 20-carry guy" while also being careful with his reps.

In the meantime, Golden said: "The guy that is probably having the best spring right now is Dallas Crawford. We don't have a final word yet on Eduardo [Clements] so we don't know where he's at. But certainly Dallas stepping up and [redshirt freshman] Danny Dillard stepping up has helped a lot. We have Gus [Edwards] coming in. I think we'll be okay."

Golden said UM plans on recruiting two to three running backs in its next signing class.

> Golden said redshirt freshman receiver Jontavious Carter (6-2, 208) had too many plays on Saturday where he didn't finish.

"He's got to learn to play big," Golden said. "He's not Phillip. He's not Malcolm. He's got to learn to play big. Big receivers catch slants. Big receivers show up in the red zone. Big receivers are blocking and cracking and distorting safeties and outworking people. Once he understands that and does it everyday then he can be fine."

> Golden once again had high praise for freshman linebacker Alex Figueroa (I'll have a story on him in Wednesday's paper) and kicker Matt Goudis, who booted a 49-yard field goal Saturday. A scout on hand Tuesday told me he thinks Figueroa is a future NFL linebacker.

> Despite tallying a handful of sacks Saturday, defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio said a big reason for the success was having three guys out on the offensive line.

"I think we're getting better there, but that scrimmage shouldn't be the one indicator we're improving," D'Onofrio said. "I think the guys we've recruited -- [Al-Quadin] Muhammad and [Ufomba] Kamalu are going to make a big impact with the group."

> UM's receivers had about eight to 10 drops on Saturday and both Phillip Dorsett and Allen Hurns said that needs to improve.

"Every third down we've got to make the catch," Hurns said.

Said Dorsett: "We got to get better, show more effort."

> Hurns absolutely crushed safety Deon Bush during 7-on-7 work Tuesday.

"I wasn't supposed to do it. I was just caught up in the moment," he said afterward. "I have to apologize because that's not what we're supposed to do as teammates."

Hurns, who has taken a lot of big hits in his career, said it felt good though to dish out a little punishment. And Bush didn't seem to mind.

"It's all part of the game. It's nothing personal," Bush said. "It's a good sign to see that [from Hurns]. That's good that all the receivers they're really trying to get control of the blocking and stuff like that."

Canes do the Harlem Shake

Previewing Spring Practice for the Canes

With spring football practice set to begin Saturday (scrimmages are set for March 23rd at Traz Powell, April 5th in Naples and April 13th at Sun Life Stadium) here is a look at the top story lines at each position entering camp. (FYI, UM is expected to release a new spring depth chart in the coming days.)

OFFENSE
- Only five seniors who appeared on the two-deep were lost to graduation: running back Mike James, offensive tackle Ben Jones (one start), backup left guard Jeremy Lewis and receivers Kendal Thompkins and Davon Johnson. 

That hardly seems tough to replace, but the big transition here is coaching. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch (Jacksonville Jaguars) is gone along with receivers coach George McDonald (Syracuse) and running backs coach Terry Richardson (Jacksonville Jaguars). James Coley comes over from Florida State with only one year of play-calling experience to take over for Fisch as offensive coordinator. UM promoted Hurlie Brown to running backs coach and hired Larry Scott away from USF to coach tight ends after Brennan Carroll made the move over to receivers coach. UM ranked 37th in total yardage offense (25th in passing; 87th in rushing) and averaged 31.2 points per game in 2012 (49th out of 120 FBS schools).

QUARTERBACKS
Returning starter 
17 Stephen Morris (6-2, 214, Sr., Miami Monsignor Pace) 
Backup 
11 Ryan Williams (6-6, 223, Jr., Miramar High)
Redshirted/Reserves
13 Gray Crow (6-3, 222, R-Fr., Clearwater Countryside)
12 Preston Dewey (6-2, 208, R-Fr., Austin, Tex.)
19 David Thompson (6-2, 207, R-Fr., Miami Westminster Christian)
Fall arrival
Kevin Olsen (6-3, 196, Fr., Wayne Hills, N.J.)

> STORYLINE: There is no reason to be worried about the starting spot here as it looks like Morris and Coley are hitting it off. But it will be interesting to see who among the returning freshmen catches the eye of UM's new offensive coordinator. David Thompson will not be around because he's playing baseball, but Gray Crow and Preston Dewey will. With Kevin Olsen set to arrive in the fall and 2014 commitment Alin Edouard (Hialeah High) already handpicked by Coley the pressure will be on for Crow and Dewey to do something this spring. If they don't, don't be surprised if they end up elsewhere. 

RUNNING BACKS
Returning starters
 8 Duke Johnson (RB, 5-9, 188, So., Miami Norland) 
33 Maurice Hagens (FB, 5-11, 238, Sr., Tampa Bay Tech) 
Backups 
23 Eduardo Clements (5-9, 192, Sr., Miami Booker T. Washington) 
25 Dallas Crawford (5-10, 190, So., South Fort Myers) 
Redshirted/reserves 
32 Danny Dillard (6-2, 225, R-Fr., Venice) 
Walk-ons 
27 Jameson Labady (5-11, 215, Sr., North Miami) 
48 Brandon Yosha (6-0, 183, So., Carmel, Ind.) 
Fall arrivals
Augustus Edwards (6-1, 222, Fr., Staten Island, N.Y.)
Cornelius Elder (5-11, 170, Fr., Nashville, Tenn.)

> STORYLINE: Coming off a fantastic freshman season Johnson should look even bigger and better coming off off-season workouts. The concern here is who backs him up moving forward with Mike James gone. Clements (neck) has health concerns. Crawford carried the ball just six times for 23 yards last season. He will be given first shot and we also should get a good look at Dillard in camp. But those are just two names. Incoming freshmen Gus Edwards and Cornelius Elder won't arrive until the fall. But if Crawford and Dillard don't impress in the spring, Edwards and Elder may actually come in and compete for playing time right away. 

OFFENSIVE LINE
Returning starters
79 Malcolm Bunche (LT, 6-7, 323, R-Jr., Newark, Del.)
70 Jon Feliciano (LG, 6-5, 314, R-Jr., Davie Western)
62 Shane McDermott (C, 6-4, 296, Jr., Palm Beach Central)
65 Brandon Linder (RG, 6-6, 312, Sr., Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas)
77 Seantrel Henderson (RT, 6-8, 340, Sr., St. Paul, Minn.)
Backups 
74 Ereck Flowers (LT/RT, 6-6, 314, So., Miami Norland)
63 Danny Isidora (RG, 6-4, 312, R-Fr., Weston Cypress Bay)
75 Jared Wheeler (C, 6-5, 312, Sr., Plantation American Heritage)
64 Hunter Wells (OL, 6-4, 300, So., Canton, Ill.)
Redshirted/reserves 
76 Taylor Gadbois (OL, 6-8, 310, R-Fr., Dallas, Ga.) 
Spring arrivals 
Hunter Knighton (6-5, 265, Fr., Pottstown, Penn.)
Sunny Odogwu (6-8, 311, Fr., Baltimore, Mary.) 
Fall arrivals
Alex Gall (6-5, 295, Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio)

> STORYLINE: The huge bright spot entering camp and the season is the return of all five starters on the offensive line as well as four solid backups in Flowers, Isidora, Wheeler and Wells. Will any of those guys push for a starting spot? Flowers and Isidora probably could. The stories to follow this spring are newcomers Sunny Odogwu and Hunter Knighton. Golden is thrilled about both. They need to show they can be ready by 2014. 

TIGHT ENDS
Returning starters
46 Clive Walford (6-4, 248, Jr., Belle Glades Glades Central)
Reserves
82 Asante Cleveland (6-5, 260, Sr., Sacramento, Calif.)
Walk-ons
43 Sean Harvey (6-4, 260, Jr., Largo Indian Rocks, Fla.)
Position switch
95 Jake O'Donnell (DE, 6-6, 243, R-Fr., Doylestown, Penn.) 
Spring arrivals
Standish Dobard (6-4, 255, Fr., Belle Chasse, La.)
Beau Sandland (6-6, 255, Jr., Woodland Hills, Calif.)
Fall arrivals
Ryheem Lockley (6-4, 217, Fr., Middlesex, Va.)

> STORYLINE: Al Golden told our Barry Jackson earlier this month Dyron Dye and David Perry were being switched to defensive end. Why? Because he was bringing in two studs in Dobard and Sandland, considered the top JUCO tight end in the country. Both should look good alongside Walford (25 catches, 451 yards, 4 TDs) as pass-catching tight ends moving forward. 

RECEIVERS
Returning starters
4 Phillip Dorsett (5-9, 187, Jr., Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas)
1 Allen Hurns (6-3, 195, Sr., Miami Carol City)
80 Rashawn Scott (6-2, 202, Jr., Melbourne Central High)
86 Herb Waters (6-2, 185, So., Homestead)
Backups
9 Malcolm Lewis (6-0, 192, So., Miramar)
6 Robert Lockhart Jr. (6-1, 188, So., Delray Beach)
Redshirted/Reserves
81 Jontavious Carter (6-2, 203, R-Fr., Cordele, Ga.)
15 D'Mauri Jones (6-4, 190, R-Fr., Leesburg, Fla.)
Walk-ons
18 Chad Barnes (5-8, 170, R-Sr., Weston Cypress Bay)
37 Alex Irastorza (6-3, 190, Sr., Miami Columbus)
87 Garrett Kidd (6-2, 186, So., Midland, Mich.)
24 Joey McNeill (5-10, 172, Jr., Newton, Penn.)
24 Stephen Sweeney (5-11, 184, So., Ridgewood, N.J.)
Fall arrivals
Derrick Griffin (6-6, 215, Fr., Rosenberg, Tex.)
Stacy Coley (6-1, 175, Fr., Oakland Park Northeast)

> STORYLINES: Dorsett (58 catches, 842 yards, 4 TDs) proved to be the go-to target for most of the 2012 season and will once again enter camp as that guy. The players to watch will be Scott, who was suspended indefinitely after nine games and was having a stellar season (35 catches, 512 yards, 3 TDs) before that and Lewis, who of course was having a great freshman season before dislocating his left ankle and fracturing his fibula. Lewis, I'm told, will not participate in team drills during the spring but will be around.

DEFENSE
-- There are only three seniors from the two-deep that are gone: starting cornerback Brandon McGee, backup defensive tackle Darius Smith and backup safety Vaughn Telemaque. But there were other losses. Cornerback Thomas Finnie was booted off the team after being involved in a laptop theft on campus, third-leading tackler Gionni Paul was booted from the team, and fourth-leading tackler and talented outside linebacker Eddie Johnson remains suspended indefinitely.

The Hurricanes had a horrific season in 2012 on defense statistically, ranking 116th in total yardage, 112th against the run, 102nd in pass defense and 82nd in scoring defense (30.5 ppg). They also produced just 13 sacks in 12 games. The good? UM produced 22 turnovers on defense -- 11 INTs and 11 fumbles.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Returning starters
71 Anthony Chickillo (DE, 6-4, 265, Jr., Tampa Alonso)
91 Olsen Pierre (DT, 6-4, 296, Jr., Rahway, N.J.)
96 Curtis Porter (DT, 6-1, 308, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.)
51 Shayon Green (DE, 6-3, 260, Sr., Tifton, Ga.)
Backups
94 Kelvin Cain (DE, 6-3, 245, Sr., Clovis, Calif.)
99 Jelani Hamilton (DE, 6-5, 271, So., Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas)
17 Tyriq McCord (DE, 6-3, 236, So., Tampa Jefferson)
92 Jalen Grimble (DL, 6-2, 292, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
66 Dequan Ivery (DT, 6-1, 303, So., Lake City, Fla.)
67 Corey King (DT, 6-1, 292, So., West Boca Raton)
72 Earl Moore (DT, 6-1, 300, So., Tampa Hillsborough)
93 Luther Robinson (DT, 6-3, 290, Sr., Fort Pierce Westwood)
90 Ricardo Williams (DE, 6-5, 251, So., Homestead)
Redshirted/reserves
87 Jacoby Briscoe (DT, 6-5, 312, R-Fr., Lafayette, La.)
97 Dwayne Hoilett (DE, 6-3, 247, R-Fr., Vero Beach)
Position switch
49 Dyron Dye (6-5, 258, R-Sr., Sanford Seminole, Fla.) 
85 David Perry (6-7, 265, Jr., University School) 
Fall arrivals
Al-Quadin Muhammad (6-4, 225, Fr., Ramsey, N.J.)
Ufomba Kamalu (6-5, 280, Jr., Butler Community College, Kan.)

> STORYLINE: UM's run defense was a complete joke for most of the season -- surrendering 217.92 yards per game. But over the final three games, the Canes allowed an average of just 137 (that would have ranked 32nd as a season average). The common denominator? A healthy Porter at defensive tackle. He played in just four games last season, starting the final three alongside Pierre. Porter has played in just 15 games over his four years at Miami. Aside from him, it will be interesting to see how Chickillo (team-leading four sacks) bounces back from an average sophomore season. Will he get pass rushing help from any of the sophomores or redshirt freshmen? McCord produced 3.5 sacks last season. Believe it or not, he and Cain (1 sack) were the only other defensive ends to sack the quarterback. Dye and Perry move over from tight end and will attempt to become pass-rushers themselves.

LINEBACKERS
Returning starters
59 Jimmy Gaines (6-3, 232, Sr., Getzville, N.Y.)
34 Thurston Armbrister (6-3, 222, Jr., Hollywood Hills)
52 Denzel Perryman (6-0, 230, Jr., Coral Gables)
Backups
31 Tyrone Cornileus (6-2, 215, Sr., Stone Mountain, Ga.)
56 Raphael Kirby (6-0, 223, So., Stone Mountain, Ga.)
58 Gabe Terry (6-3, 215, So., Palm Beach Central)
Redshirted/reserves
54 JaWand Blue (6-0, 210, R-Fr., West Boca Raton)
Suspended indefinitely
44 Eddie Johnson (6-1, 234, R-So., Stone Mountain, Ga.)
Walk-ons
47 Akil Craig (6-1, 226, R-Sr., Tampa Jesuit)
57 Nantambu Fentress (5-9, 205, Jr., Nashville, Tenn.)
Spring arrivals
Alex Figueroa (6-3, 225, Fr., Stafford, Va.)
Fall arrivals
Jermaine Grace (6-1, 196, Fr., Miramar)
Devante Bond, 6-3, 230, Jr., Sierra Community College, Calif.)

> STORYLINE:  Losing Eddie Johnson could hurt the Canes immensely despite the return of a couple of other veterans. Gaines, Kirby and Perryman are all coming off injury-plagued seasons. It will be interesting to see what they can do when fully healthy and recovered and coming of a good off-season. The new arrival -- Figueroa -- has a chance to put himself in position to compete for playing time. It will be interesting to see just how much talent he has along with Blue and Terry.

SECONDARY
Returning starters
2 Deon Bush (S, 6-1, 195, So. Miami Columbus)
37 Ladarius Gunter (CB, 6-2, 196, Jr., Montgomery, Ala.)
30 AJ Highsmith (S, 6-0, 208, Sr., Missouri City, Texas)
29 Rayshawn Jenkins (S, 6-1, 203, So., St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut)
22 Kacy Rodgers II (CB/S, 6-2, 212, Sr., Southlake, Texas)
Backups
21 Antonio Crawford (CB, 5-11, 188, So., Tampa Plant)
3 Tracy Howard (CB, 5-11, 185, So., Miramar High)
Redshirted/reserves
35 Nate Dortch (CB, 5-11, 175, R-Fr., South Fort Myers)
11 Larry Hope (CB, 6-0, 183, R-Fr., Miami American)
Walk-ons
38 Jordan Tolson (6-1, 192, Jr., Inglewood, Calif.)
Fall arrivals
Jamal Carter (6-1, 175, Fr., Miami Southridge)
Artie Burns (6-0, 183, Fr., Miami Northwestern)
Ray Lewis III (5-10, 192, Fr., Lake Mary Prep) 

> STORYLINE: The cornerback position has just one proven starter back in Gunter, but plenty of talent and potential with Howard and Crawford coming back after playing a lot as freshmen. That trio will be interesting to watch throughout camp along with the progress of Dortch and Hope, who were both redshirted last season. The safety position appears to be in much better hands in terms of experience. Can Jenkins and Bush push Highsmith and Rodgers out of the starting lineup for good? Strong reinforcements will arrive in the fall in terms of Carter, Burns and Lewis III. 

SPECIAL TEAMS
18 Matt Goudis (K, 6-0, 172, So., West Hills, Calif.)
Walk-ons
46 Ricky Perez (K, 5-8, 182, So., Miami Krop)
88 Zach Costa (K/P, 6-2, 209, So., Hillsdale, N.J.)
88 Ronald Regula (LS/TE, 6-2, 225, Jr., Miami Palmetto)
27 Ricky Carroll (P, 6-3, 185, Sr., Mission Viejo, Calif.)

> STORYLINES: You can't underestimate the losses of kicker Jake Wieclaw and punter Dalton Botts. Both were among the best in the ACC at their respective positions. Now Goudis, who participated in just three kickoffs, is the likely front-runner to handle both of those duties.

Cristobal hired to become Alabama's new offensive line coach

Mario Cristobal's fourth stint at the University of Miami sure didn't last very long.

Hired by coach Al Golden to serve as associate head coach and tight ends coach a month ago after being fired as the head coach at FIU, Cristobal on Monday accepted a job offer to become the new offensive line coach at Alabama according to multiple reports.

UM has yet to confirm it.

Cristobal, 42, replaces former Hurricanes offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who was recently hired by new Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly.

Cristobal, who played and won two national titles at UM and served as an assistant coach from 2004-06, interviewed for the job on Friday in Tuscaloosa and was weighing the decision on whether or not to take it over the weekend, a source said.

UM hired Cristobal on Jan. 10 and then his former offensive coordinator at FIU two weeks later in James Coley. The two are solid recruiters in South Florida.

Hurricanes three spring scrimmage dates set

UM's spring football schedule was released Friday. The first of 15 practices begins March 2nd.

Three scrimmages will be open to the public.

> March 23: First scrimmage at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami (10 a.m.)

> April 5: Second scrimmage in Naples (7 p.m.).

> April 13: Annual Spring Football Game (3 p.m.) at Sun Life Stadium.

For the first time, the Canes will hold a "Student Appreciation Day" during their Tuesday, March 26th practice at Greentree Practice Field. With the exception of March 26 and the three scrimmages, all practices are closed to the public.

Golden discusses 2013 signing class Canes "really had to fight for"

UM coach Al Golden discussed the 2013 signing class and other topics Wednesday evening.

Among the first questions asked was if the Canes were done. Golden's response: "I can't really comment on a specific story percolating. But we may have room for one more but that's about it."

Asked about report that running backs coach Terry Richardson is expected to be hired by the Jaguars, Golden said it was an issue he still had to discuss with his assistant. 

Opening statement: "It's a class we're proud of. It was a class we really had to fight hard for. I don't think it's something anybody outside of this room understands what we were up against the entire year, fight for this class. I'm proud of our coaches for not making any excuses, hanging in there and bringing in a class that is not only excellent, but a great compliment to the class that played so well and so often for us a year ago."

"We started out targeting 16 guys, which is a really low number. Some of that is in part because of the self-imposed penalties. So, it was a tight number to begin with. But as you break it down we out searching for a big-time pro style quarterback and I think we got the best, if not the best in Kevin Olsen. We started out looking for one receiver in this class -- and that's tough when you're in South Florida and you got to let some of the best ones go -- but we felt we got the best one down here in Stacey Coley. That was a real great get for us. He's one of the more fluid receivers we've seen in a long time. We sought out to get one to two running backs. Obviously we're still uncertain of of Eduardo Clement's future because of his injury, but that number was set at one or two based on that. We needed a big back and brought in Gus Edwards and feel Gus fulfills that at 6-1, 230 pounds, a guy that can run between the tackles. We sought out to get two tight ends and we did that. I think we have two of the best in the country. We got one of the best in junior college in Beau Sandland. He's 6-4, 255 pounds. He's here right now. And Standish Dobard, also in this class from Louisiana -- two big time tight end prospects and real proud of coach Caroll. We sought out to get three offensive linemen. We got Alex Gall from Moeller High School, Hunter Knighton who will play center or guard for us, and one we're really pleased in Sunny Odogwu.

"On the defensive side we sought to get two defensive end and I think we accomplished that. No. 1 a pass rusher on the open side. Al-Quadin Muhammad from Don Bosco Prep we think he's one of the premier pass rushers in the country. He's 6-3 1/2, 240 pounds, long, rangy, animated, plays with passion. The other young man I'm equally excited about -- Ufomba Kamalu, 6-5, 275 pounds -- also a defensive end prospect. We needed some with a little more maturity so we went to Butler Community College to get Ufomba. We wanted to get three or four linebackers in this class and obviously we missed out on a highly sought after young man locally, but we did get Jermaine Grace who was the best linebackers, one of the premier two linebackers in the state of Florida. We also got Devanta Bond, a sam linebacker from Sierra Community College, and Alex Figueroa enrolled with us mid year. We got three of the fourr needs. We sought to get three defensive backs and we feel we got two guys who are proven defensive backs in Artie Burns, who can play corner or safety, and Jamal Carter. We also got a guy in Ray-Ray Lewis who can play corner, slot receiver or running back. We're excited about that. There's no question we lost our defensive tackle and that's something we have to address here moving forward. I think that should give you the overview of the class because you can get caught up in the numbers. We didn't take 23 or we took 28 guys. We took 32 last year. We're very pleased with that group. Out of the last two years 30 of the 48 or 63 percent hail from the state of Florida. I think we're right on wit that."

How concerned are you about the defensive tackle spot?

"We're going to have some options there. Again, it is what it is. You want to stay in there with the best kids in the country and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Getting Gus Edwards today, Stacy Coley and Jermaine Grace, those are three big-time football players we got down the stretch. We're in a business where everybody focuses on the guys you didn't get. But the reality is make sure the guys you get help your program, make sure they fit. In this case because we were so tight on numbers, again, this is as tight as you can be from a football standpoint. We're happy with the guys we ended up getting today."

You lost Jedd Fisch, added Mario Cristobal late. How did that affect things?

"I think it does. There's no question relationships are formed and then obviously dissolve at different times. I think that pales in comparison to what we've encountered from the sheer cloud or the presence of the word sanctions. It's something hopefully we can get resolved here in the near future and move on. We had one junior day a couple weeks back. We have another junior day Saturday. That's our third class where we're having to deal with an unknown. As long as we have known we can all deal with. The unknown is what's killing us. The unknown is what is allowing us to be exposed to attack."

You only signed five kids from Florida guys, four from South Florida. Is that what you want?

"Clearly I would have loved to hit on a couple more today, I don't think there's any question. Again, it's just the way it worked out. We needed tight ends. If there were 10 tight ends from down here going places then I would be concerned. We went out of state to get a quarterback. We went out of state to get offensive linemen. That's not uncommon. I always try to look at different rosters and make sure we're doing things the right way. The 2001 [national champion] roster was 55 percent in state. The rest was out of state. We're somewhere between 57 and 60 percent. I like to stay at 60-65, 70 percent. But again, you can't always predict how it's going to turn out."

So you operated on need base?

"It had to be. With 16-17 spots it was all about need. Obviously down the stretch here today we lost a couple Florida kids. You're not going to get them at all. But I really like the guys we're bringing in."

Were you disappointed with the Miami-Dade kids who went elsewhere?

"I'm a competitor like everybody else. I'm more proud of the guys we did get. Artie Burns, Jamal Carter, Stacy Coley, Jermaine Grace is an incredible talent. It's just the way it shakes out sometimes. We just got to move forward and hopefully get this NCAA thing behind us so we can roll. Right now we're fighting with one arm behind our back."

Can you talk about the situation with Booker T. Washingto and Denver Kirkland?

"The only thing I'll say and I don't believe in airing that out publicly so I'm not going to that. Again, there is a difference between pulling a scholarship and having none left. It's tough when you get to this point in the year. If it's any normal year, I can absorb going over one. But we had a hard ceiling this year because of the self imposed penalties and I was up against it. The commitments that i had gotten a run on commitments Wednesday, Thursday and you're out. So, that's all I can say to that in terms of just making sure we're on the same page. I was against a hard ceiling and I had no room."

How many scholarships were self imposed?

"Can I answer this question? I feel like I'm in court. I've been at this for two years. I can't answer that."

How many kids were silent commitments and how many were you sort of sweating it out for?

"All of them. That's the game we're playing right now. We're not coming from a position of power or leverage right now because of the sanctions. If we can get that lifted, we'll move forward. Again, it's really important the communication is good. I think we have a great relationship with the high school coaches in South Florida. We've got to continue to do that, continue to communicate. This is just an anomoly -- I hope it is because I hope we can move on from the NCAA -- it's an anomoly in such that this was out of my control. This wasn't like last year where we thought we were going to get 31 or 32 and signed 33, whatever the case may be. You can absorb one. I had no room to absorb one as we went into the day today and obviously when we went into the weekend last weekend."

Talk about the emotions of the Kirkland-Thomas announcement before Coley-Grace announced

"It's like the Godfather, right, it's the business we've chosen. It's up, it's down. It's the way it is. Don't worry about the ones you don't get and worry about the ones you do get can play and match your core values, the things you want to do. I know everybody is disappointed about the ones we didn't get today. But we're here to celebrate the Quan Muhammads and the Stacy Coleys, the Jermaine Graces and how about this Artie Burns. Nobody talks about him because he didn't do a hat show. This guy is a superstar. Let's talk about those guys and the impact they're going to have on Miami football."

What time did Gus Edwards send in his signed letter of intent?

"7 a.m. That was a good start to the day. We needed that."

Were the self imposed limits on visits?

"Obviously to some degree. I just can't say what.

"We visited 27 guys. We had to self impose penalties there. We visited 27 guys. What's our hit ratio? That's an incredible hit ratio. We're not allowed to visit 45 guys. Some in the coaching community that didn't understand the impact these things were going to have in recruiting and this was not in our control. Just to say you're going to take one receiver should say it all. I think we got the best one down here."

What happens if one or two recruits want to come in on signing day and you don't have space?

"If you have 25 you're not worried because you already filled your needs, so the guy who is doing the signing day thing is obviously - I don't want to say the bonus ball - or you have good information way in advance that he's coming. You put five hats out there, there's really not five schools waiting. You know or you have a 50 percent chance of getting it."

So if you think a kid is coming and he goes elsewhere you have one spot open then. Do you go after someone else to fill that spot at that point?

"It was late in the day, late in the process to do that."

How much more imperative is the development of the tackles you have here now?

"It's huge. With the cloud over our head to try and get a JUCO defensive tackle who already has a condensed time period on your campus, many weren't interested because of how tenuous it was."

How important is the defensive tackle position?

"We have to get better at that position. That starts with the guys on campus developing and continuing to develop more competition and keep our eyes and ears open for guys that become available."

How often do recruits ask about NCAA stuff?

"Just about every other question."

Is it hard to answer the questions?

"I can't even answer them in here."

Ray Lewis could be around the program now with his son at UM. Like that idea?

"It's exciting. To end like that, that's a story book ending for Ray [winning the Super Bowl]. And for Ray Ray to not only have passion and be disciplined and have a great work ethic and everything - but he kind of looks like Ray. It'll be fun to have him around."

Ray Lewis III comes to UM with the shadow of his father hanging over his head. How do you think he will deal with that?

"When I went to he house [for a visit] I told them Ray Ray was an incredible gentleman, took in the garbage can, did the dishes. This young man, you think he'd have every opportunity to be entitled and he wasn't."

Last year a lot of newcomers played right away. Do you expect that with this class?

"Last year was about signing basically a two deep everywhere because we lost so many seniors the year before. This group is more filling in now, giving us some symmetry and competition. … everyone gets a chance to compete for a starting job, it doesn't matter if you're a freshman or senior. There'll be a great number of these guys that will ultimately help us I'm sure."

Are you getting back to the symmetry you want in terms of the depth chart?

"We're moving in that direction. We're hamstrung a little because we have to artificially keep our numbers down."

You have 20 starters returning, was that an issue convincing guys to sign?

"We have 20 starters back on a 7-5 team. We get 10, 11 wins then you can say there's a little bit of hierarchy. We have a long way to go as a program. With a target of 16 or 17 we weren't going to be a top 10 recruiting class. That seldom if ever happens just because of the way the formula is. As I go down this list, I'm taking Sunny, Ufomba, Al-Quadin, Kevin Olsen any year. Grace is a fabulous player, Artie Burns. I'm thrilled about this group, can't wait to get them on campus."

Do you expect recruiting will only get easier now?

"If I say it now I may have to say it again when the (NCAA) cloud is removed. I don't know where we are in the process. I think all of us feel like there's closure coming, that it's there, that it's going to be a great day. I haven't had that experience yet at the University of Miami. I'm looking forward to going into homes and communities and not answer that question because it's either the first or second question. The first is how you doing, the second is how is the NCAA thing going."

What has Mario Cristobal's edition meant?

"Wisdom. He's got a poise about him, is connected to the community, South Florida high school coaches. A wisdom to see things like a head coach. I'm excited about him. I've leaned on him a couple of times [already]. We're excited about being here together. Now it's time to move forward."

You have an associate head coach and assistant head coach on your staff in Mario Cristobal and defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio. What's the difference?

"I don't know. I honestly don't know. But they have different roles in helping me with the administrative side. Mark deals with the weight room, Mario helps with the social, behavioral, discipline side. He's a good guy to have on the discipline side."

Did UM's academic standards impact recruiting at all?

"No. We just have to get to the point where we keep building this thing."

UM compliance office urges fans to stay away from recruits; twitter war over Alex Collins continues

The University of Miami's compliance office took to Twitter Thursday morning to send a message it hoped its fans would receive and heed: leave recruits alone.

"Canes fans: We love when you support #TheU, but remember, only coaches can recruit prospects. #AskBeforeUAct," the tweet at around 10 a.m. from @UCompliance read.

Why the concern? Fans from both Miami and Arkansas have been a little too interested lately in trying to sway South Plantation blue-chip running back Alex Collins to pick their school. Collins is set to announce his college decision in an Atlanta TV studio Monday night after 10 p.m. on FoxSports Network.

It's against NCAA rules for fans -- especially those who provide financial aid to the schools they love -- to get involved in the recruiting process. Lucky for them, the NCAA doesn't have the time or resources to chase everyone down. But in this case, with Miami being under investigation, it's probably a good idea for Hurricanes fans to stop.

Collins, whose Twitter account is @Budda03, has been relatively happy with "the love" he's been receiving. But messages have been getting nasty lately. Some UM fans believe Collins' high school coach Doug Gatewood is steering him away from Miami because of an alleged connection to Arkansas.

Here is one example of one of those Tweets from Cane Flexin @ThatCaneZo: "Hey @Budda03 don't let your coach make your decision for you. It's your decision and yours only."

This morning Collins responded to some of those tweets: "It's crazy how people can make things up or assume things that's no where close to being true.. I've been hearin crazy things thats not true."

Gatewood has vehemently denied the claims and told The Miami Herald Thursday: "I get paid $3,100 to be a head coach and have caught more [expletive] this year than you can imagine. People sitting there saying I'm profiting from this, I'm going to send them a picture of my truck. It needs a paint job and is missing a window.

"I guess it happens. But I've never been a part of it. Everybody talks about my relationship with [Arkansas assistant] Charlie [Patridge]. At the end of the day, I use every resource I have to help my kids get recruited. I call every person I know when I have a kid. When [Collins] started playing last year nobody was recruiting him. I called everybody and said 'I got a kid. You got to come look at him.'"

"As much as I care about him, he cares about me as well. Nobody wants people talking [expletive] about their coach."

Some UM fans have responded positively to the UM compliance office's request. Victor Castro ‏(@BudussyCanes) tweeted Collins: "Mr. Collins, wherever U decide 2 play ur college ball, we Canes wish U nothing but the best of luck. #GOCanes"

Arkansas fans, meanwhile, have continued to pursue Collins. The running back shared a picture of a chain of papers he got in the mail which reads: WOO PIG SOOIE GO HOGS!

Here's a list of some of the tweets Collins has received from both Miami and Arkanas fans and retweeted:

From Randall Baker ‏@RSB416
"@Budda03 if you came to arkansas, I'd convert to Buddism."

From Kel Clarke ‏@kclarke56
"@Budda03 @HogCaller90 can u imagine 80,000 fans wearing dreads at all the games.. I know id buy one - that would be sick - RAZORBUDDA!!!"

From Purple Cane ‏@PurpleCane41
"I'd take a blindside hit from @raylewis if it got #AlexCollinsToTheU"

From Gene Esposito ‏@GeneEspo69
"@Budda03 u gonna play for Miami and hit up south beach or play for Arkansas where marrying your cousin is common?"

From Jonathon Zenk ‏@jzenk42
"@Budda03 You should go to Miami, unless you would enjoy getting your teeth kicked in by Bama and LSU every year..."

Perhaps the most interesting tweet came from Arkansas coach Bret Bielema himself. Of course, it wasn't directly sent to Collins. But it did mention Budda -- Collin's nickname. Bielema sent it to his running backs coach.

Here is the message: "Found a Budda in Dallas. Lucky charms everywhere we go. #wps #gohogsgo @coachjoelt"

The picture Beilema tweeted is below. Wonder if the NCAA will question Bielema for the Budda reference?

Canes' RB Duke Johnson becomes target of Twitter thug after commenting on LeSean McCoy's baby mama drama

From the zany world of Twitter here's a new story making the rounds: UM running back Duke Johnson apparently became a target of one of LeSean McCoy's twitter followers for publicly voicing his opinion on the Eagles' star running back's baby mama drama.

BlackSportsOnline first got wind of the story Sunday and now it's spreading after a few retweets. Here is a link to the story and the details. 

In a nutshell, Johnson criticized McCoy publicly -- as other athletes have -- for his public battle with his ex-girlfriend. One of McCoy's fans @John082583 then began attacking Duke for his comments. 

Johnson hasn't paid much attention to it. His response on Twitter: "My mom always told me beware of the Internet thugs....✌"

UM fans have of course come to Duke's defense.

It will be interesting to see if UM coach Al Golden says anything about this. He's been pretty lenient on guys having Twitter accounts. 

David Thompson isn't the only hitter at UM who can throw a football

Turns out freshman David Thompson isn't the only athlete at the University of Miami who can swing a big bat and fling a football around.

Outfielder Grant Heyman, a three-sport star at Pittsford-Sutherland High School (N.Y.) and 11th round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in June, said Friday he's had discussions with the football staff about going out for football in the fall.

Heyman (6-4 1/2, 205) was an All-State quarterback and said he had offers from Rutgers, Syracuse and Buffalo as well as some Football Championship Subdivision programs. He said UM coaches told him he would come in as an athlete and potentially play "quarterback, receiver, really anywhere."

But right now, Heyman said, he's concentrated on trying to earn a starting spot on the baseball team and not worrying about football. Coach Jim Morris and the baseball Hurricanes held their first official practice of the spring Friday and have three weeks to prepare for the season, which begins at home against Rutgers Feb. 15.

"I guess when I originally came here they said I could play football. That's part of the reason I came, not the biggest reason," Heyman said. "I'm just trying to put on more weight before I go over there."

Heyman, who hit .424 with nine homers in just 18 games his senior year of high school, was the recipient of the Rawlings National High School Gold Glove Award his senior year. He said he was timed at 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 6.6 seconds in the 60-yard dash.

Unlike Thompson, whose first love was baseball, Morris said Heyman's first love has always been football. Morris said Heyman is certainly talented enough to play both, but he loves his raw baseball skills. Because he lived in the northeast, though, Heyman just hasn't had as much time as others to focus on baseball.

"He has to progress," Morris said. "He's the highest drafted player on our team to come in here [this season as a freshman]. [In fall practice] he hit balls on the deck [of the parking lot behind the right field wall at Mark Light Field]. He just hasn't had the repetition. So he has a lot of work to do to learn how to play the game. But that guy is going to be a very good player for us.

"He's got great tools. Number 1, the power. He can run. He's 6-5," Morris continued before slipping in a joke. "He's a prototype quarterback -- I mean outfielder."

Golden talks Coley hiring; plus source tells our Barry Jackson UM may try to settle with NCAA

Here is what UM coach Al Golden had to say in a written statement about the hiring of James Coley as his new offensive coordinator.

“We’re excited about adding James Coley’s leadership, expertise and passion to our staff and Miami Hurricane Football,” Golden said. “I’ve been an admirer of his offenses output and execution, his commitment to student-athlete development as well as his relentless approach to recruiting Dade and Broward counties.

“Coach Coley will be a great asset to the University of Miami and we welcome him, his wife Kenia and their two children back to South Florida."

> Our Barry Jackson spoke to a UM source who told him that after Wednesday's NCAA bombshell the school is considering pushing for a settlement. Here's a link to his blog.

Coley has told FSU he's headed to Miami

James Coley has informed coach Jimbo Fisher and Florida State officials he's leaving to become the University of Miami's next offensive coordinator, multiple sources have told The Miami Herald.

The 39-year-old Miami High and FSU graduate made $390,000 last season to prepare the game plans for the Seminoles before Fisher called plays on game days. He was offered $500,000 to become UM’s next offensive coordinator, a source said. Although FSU matched the offer, Fisher appeared not to be willing to give up the play-calling duties.

Coley, who was offered the offensive coordinator position at Kentucky in December but turned it down, called plays for FIU in Mario Cristobal’s first season as coach in 2007. He then moved to FSU where he has worked as the tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator and most recently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

The University of Miami has yet to confirm the hire.

Bylaw Blog writer weighs in on UM case after NCAA bombshell drops Wednesday

After Wednesday's bombshell fell from the lips of NCAA President Mark Emmert, I reached out to our friend John Infante, a former compliance officer at NCAA Division I schools who runs the Bylaw Blog.

Infante's expertise has been featured on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and numerous other media outlets. Keep in mind he isn't privy to the information the NCAA has on Miami. He simply is giving his opinion based on what he's read from published reports and heard today.

Here is the transcript of my 20 minute, one-on-one Q&A with him today:

Q: How does this affect Miami? Most people assume here that the NCAA admitting its made mistakes in the investigation will be positive for Miami. Some think they might even just settle.

"It definitely will be positive. But I think people -- when they think positive -- it's significantly reduced sanctions. To me, that remains to be seen. I know President Emmert said in his press conference that this affected only a small portion of the information in the case. They still have to go through and find out exactly which allegations or specific violations [can't be used]. I don't know how much the NCAA follows the fruit of the [poisonous] tree doctrine -- which basically says if you gather information you wouldn't otherwise have gotten without the use of an improper lead, you can't use that new information either. But anything the NCAA cannot corroborate is helpful for Miami. The fewer student-athletes, the fewer former coaches, the less money, the fewer violations involved the better the case will be [for UM]. The question now is if it is going to better enough to result in a significantly different set of penalties."

Q: A lot of the investigative reports -- including Yahoo!'s -- came from the depositions and information through Shapiro's lawyer Maria Elena Perez. How could the NCAA still have much of a case if you have to wipe out whatever Shapiro's lawyer was involved with?

"Again, you have to wonder if the NCAA could have gotten this another way. It could be they look through their reports -- I don't know who makes this determination the law firm or the NCAA -- but they may say, 'We got this through this [improper] deposition, but then here's the other document we obtained properly that has the same information in it.' So I think you balance it with the idea that they wouldn't try to get subpeona power unless what they got was a game changer or real effective. The extreme [position] that the whole case is going to be gone, the NCAA certainly doesn't sound like the whole case is going to be gone. It sounds like something significant is still there... I think there is a big range -- in the middle -- of what exactly the case was going to look like. Frankly, the other problem is we don't know what the case would have looked like before. We know what Yahoo!'s case would have been and other media outlet's cases would have been. But nobody knows exactly, specifically what the NCAA has been able to corroborate given this abusive power. So, it's tough to know what was knocked out when we aren't even sure what's going to be in there in the first place."

Q: Worst day in NCAA history in terms of them policing themselves?

"As President Emmert said they've had better days. It's certainly up there. It's certainly one of the darkest days in NCAA history in terms of its investigative power. The thing to remember is that in these kind of scandals with the NCAA's investigative process that have come out in the last year -- Todd McNair's defamation case; the Shabazz Muhammad case and now this -- the NCAA has been accused of not following its own rules. One of the responses might be that the NCAA just had some bad seeds and 'we're going to clear out the bad apples that spoil the bunch. We're going to clear out the staff and we're going to have more money to bring in professional investigators and move on from there.' I think the real kind of devastating thing [for the NCAA] is if the courts say you followed procedure to a T and we're still ruling that improper. Then, that calls into question the entire way the NCAA does it's business rather than the idea that investigator or that investigator went rogue. The NCAA is dealing with the same sort of problems athletic departments deal with. There is a violation; now we got to find out what it is and fix it. Did the coach go rogue? Did the investigator go rogue? Did we fail to monitor? I know people are making jokes about it. People have asked me: 'Why would something like this happen?' Coaches are expected to deliver results and they cut corner sometimes. I think in a public case like this --- where the public says 'We had all the facts 15 months ago why isn't Miami punished yet?' -- there is that pressure to get your man, to deliver a result. Well, there would be pressure in that case also for an investigator to cut a corner."

Q: Isn't this unprecedented, the NCAA admitting it made a mistake before a notice of allegations isn't even sent?

"Yes. The leak of info with [UCLA basketball player] Shabazz Muhammad, we found out about that after he had been ruled ineligible and while they were appealing. It was kind of mid-process whereas this is kind of right before [the NOA]. In terms of how it helps Miami, I don't know if procedurally it really does [help] because you would hope that if the NOA went out and then the NCAA [did what it did Wednesday the NOA] would be pulled back and the NCAA would be doing exactly what it is doing now, which is pulling back and seeing what information should be in there and then re-doing the notice of allegations with the info it should have. Really, what it does is it delays [the case], but it doesn't delay it as long [as it could have been] because the NCAA would have had to restart its 90-day timeline. It sounds like the NCAA is fairly confident they can turn this around quickly. They're saying this is a delay of weeks rather than months. In terms of the timing of it, I really don't think its helpful for Miami in terms of what the penalties will be. I think it prevents a really long case from being delayed longer than it is now."

Q: Some people are thinking Miami can pounce here legally and say -- you fired these investigators, you went about this the wrong way, whole thing is a sham -- can Miami do anything here to put pressure on the NCAA that would help solve this case faster and lessen the penalties?

"That's tricky for all the parties involved because you are still down by the cooperative principal. You still have to cooperate with the NCAA's investigation. For Miami [to sue or fight it] that's a very high risk maneuver. Everything in this case has suggested that up until now they're not really putting up a fight. They might be exhausting their options to defend themselves, not digging in their heels to fight it every step of the way. I think the more likely scenario is Miami lets this play out and if the sanctions or the findings that come out of the committee on infractions' final report are excessive, I think that's the point Miami picks up on this and uses [Wednesday's announcement] as grounds for a lawsuit. Miami doesn't look like it's going to fight it like that. They're more likely to appeal anything now. But in terms of suing the NCAA that's always a drastic step. Very few schools have done it. It's generally individuals. As far as the individual coaches, a lot of them are still employed and working. If they had been fired or not working I think they would be much more likely to pounce on this and try to get themselves detached and the case thrown out. But since they're working, I think it's going to be more of a wait and see what their penalties are and if it harms their career. I can almost guarantee there will be a couple lawsuits against the NCAA trying to say this whole thing, none of it is proper."

Q: The NCAA is going to a new enforcement system in August. Can they avoid these similar problems from happening again?

"The new system doesn't really address what happens here. The new system is really more about penalties. It doesn't address how cases get to this point. Depending on the outcome of this external review -- and kudos for the NCAA being up front about it, talking about it publicly let's hope this continues -- I think this leads to a whole new initiative. This is not an isolated issue. This is kind of the third incident. Fool me once shame on you; full me twice shame on me. Three times is a trend. I do think it requires a big change. What that change is it's tough to say. I think the NCAA may take a more serious look at what people are calling them to do which is handing off investigations to third parties or creating an internal affairs unit. If this is a result of public pressure and an underfunded, undermanned enforcement staff, I'm not necessarily sure those things will fix the problem long term other than creating the same type of cycle where schools get caught, clean things up, fall off a little bit and break rules again. The NCAA isn't in a position or the public standing to keep things the same way. They have to come up with something to address this problem long term to sort of regain any public trust."

Q: Gut feeling in the end: Does Miami gets off easier?

"At this point I would be shocked about another post-season ban. I also would be surprised to see crippling scholarship penalties. I do think they will be let off a little easier than they would have been. The biggest challenge now for the NCAA is to explain [to other school] in a way that Miami didn't get a break on a technicality. That won't sit well with people either."

Sources: FSU's Coley weighing whether or not to take Canes' vacant offensive coordinator job

Florida State offensive coordinator James Coley could be on the verge of turning in the garnet and gold for green and orange.

Multiple sources close to Coley told The Miami Herald Wednesday afternoon the 39-year old Miami High and FSU graduate has been in discussions with University of Miami coach Al Golden to fill the Hurricanes' vacant play-caller position. Coley has told several people close to him he's been offered the job and is now weighing the whether to take it or not.

Coley, who makes $390,000 to prepare the game plans for the Seminoles before head coach Jimbo Fisher calls the plays on game days, was offered $500,000 to become UM's next offensive coordinator a source told our Barry Jackson. The source said while FSU matched the offer, Fisher is not willing to give up his play-calling duties.

Coley was offered the offensive coordinator position at Kentucky last month, but turned it down. He's been looking to get the opportunity to call plays on gameday.

Former UM offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch left the team over the weekend for the same position with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Coley called plays for FIU in Mario Cristobal's first season as coach in 2007 and then moved to FSU where he's worked as the tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator and most recently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. 

Coley has always had strong recruiting ties to South Florida throughout his career and his addition to UM's staff would be a boon two weeks before signing day.

At Miami High from 1998-2000, Coley coached Roscoe Parrish and Andre Johnson. He then served as the offensive coordinator at Miami Norland when Dwyane Bowe and the Vikings won a state title in 2002. He was then a grad assistant at LSU under Nick Saban for two years before moving onto the Dolphins with him for two more years. At FIU, the Golden Panthers finished just 1-11, but were coming off an 0-12 season and were in the process of rebuilding when Coley left for the Seminoles.

Mike James gets a late invite to Saturday's Senior Bowl

Didn't get a chance to pass this along earlier because I was working the phones, but Canes running back Mike James has been invited as a late addition for Saturday's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

James, replacing injured Clemson running back Andre Ellington on the South roster, will be the 63rd Miami Hurricane to play in the Senior Bowl and the first Canes running back since Cleveland Gary in 1989.

It will be James' second postseason college bowl invite; the Haines City, Fla., native rushed for 21 yards in the 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl held on Jan. 19 in Carson, Calif.

James started all 12 games at running back for the Hurricanes in 2012, finishing as the team’s second-leading rusher with 642 yards and six touchdowns. He piled up 1,386 rushing yards and 17 TDs, while catching 67 passes for 585 yards and five touchdowns in his career. He was one of 11 FBS players named to the 2012 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team in September.

Kickoff Saturday is set for 4 p.m. The game will be televised on the NFL Network.

COUPLE ITEMS

> Be sure to follow our Michelle Kaufman for all updates on tonight's big Canes-Duke basketball game. Canesport.com reported earlier today that several big time recruits will be attending the game, set for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Among those expected in the crowd: Booker T. Washington linebacker Matthew Thomas, South Plantation running back Alex Collins, Oakland Park Northeast receiver Stacy Coley, Northwestern safety Artie Burns, Southridge safety Jamal Carter and Ely cornerback Rashard Robinson. Yes, there will also be tributes and moments of silence during the game for legendary baseball coach Ron Fraser. 

> Miramar linebacker Jermaine Grace, who was originally set to make his college announcement on Tuesday, will now make it sometime next week according to his coach Damon Cogdell. Louisville, whom Grace visited last weekend, is taking advantage of the extra time with an in-home visit this week. Cogdell said the delay is due to the fact he's working with producers to get Grace's announcement made on television.

Is FSU offensive coordinator James Coley a candidate for Jedd Fisch's old job at UM?

The rumors are spreading: Florida State offensive coordinator James Coley could be Miami's next offensive coordinator. 

Settle down Canes fans. This Coley story is just rumor-driven for now.

Nothing we've heard out of UM today or even FSU suggests Coley is in the running. We're not even sure he's been interviewed or spoken to UM coach Al Golden yet. But be patient. It's not out of the realm of possibility he could be. 

A source close to Coley told me this morning the 39-year old Miami High graduate and former offensive coordinator under Mario Cristobal at FIU in 2007 is definitely interested in getting into a position where he could call plays and make a name for himself. Right now at Florida State, head coach Jimbo Fisher calls play. Coley prepares the game plan all week and then on game days assists Fisher from the press box. 

Although Coley is a Florida State grad, a return home to South Florida for obvious reasons would be appealing. 

"I grew up on Northwest 4th Street and 18th Avenue, about two blocks from the Orange Bowl," Coley told our Susan Miller Degnan in the days leading up to this year's Orange Bowl. "The Orange Bowl was ‑‑ as kids in that community, that was our playground. Hide and seek and running onto the field and throwing the football, getting chased by the security guards, getting out of there, and parking cars. You might have parked at my house if you went to one of the games."

Coley has always had strong recruiting ties to South Florida throughout his career.

At Miami High from 1998-2000 he coached Roscoe Parrish and Andre Johnson. He then served as the offensive coordinator at Miami Norland when Dwyane Bowe and the Vikings won a state title in 2002. He was then a grad assistant at LSU under Nick Saban for two years before moving onto the Dolphins with him for two more years. At FIU, in Cristobal's first season as coach in 2007, the Golden Panthers finished just 1-11. It was Coley's only season as offensive coordinator (FIU was coming off an 0-12 season and terrible). Coley then moved onto FSU where he's worked as the tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator and now the offensive coordinator.

By taking Coley away from FSU it would also further help Miami's recruiting efforts and hurt the Seminoles, who lost a number of assistants. Is that a reason to hire an offensive coordinator away? No. But it's another reason to give Coley consideration.

Stay tuned to see if this develops into something legit. 

NCAA Bylaw Blog writer John Infante talks positives, negatives for UM with latest developments

With reports surfacing that former basketball coach Frank Haith and football recruiting coordinators Clint Hurtt and Aubrey Hill are expected to be charged with unethical conduct in the NCAA's investigation into wrongdoing done at the University of Miami, I sought the expertise of NCAA Bylaw Blog writer John Infante Tuesday morning to digest what we are hearing and how it might affect the program.

Infante, a former compliance officer at NCAA Division I schools, has been running the Bylaw Blog for over two years and his expertise has been featured on ESPN, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and numerous other media outlets. Keep in mind he isn't privy to the information the NCAA has on Miami. He simply is giving his opinion based on what he's read from published reports.

Here is the transcript of my 15 minute one-on-one Q&A with him:

Q: There were reports Monday that about four former basketball coaches and at least two former assistant football coaches will be cited for violating bylaw 10.1 "unethical conduct" in the NCAA's investigation. How does that affect Miami positively or negatively?

"Well, it sounds like nearly all the assistants are being charged with unethical conduct and it also sounds like Frank Haith is going to be charged with failing to create an atmosphere of compliance, which generally only head coaches are charged with. It can be helpful [for Miami]. The biggest thing is when you have that many coaches [charged with unethical conduct] and go in front of the Committee on Infractions there's going to be a lot of people in the room to spread blame around. When you talk about the presentations and the answers given in front of the COI, I think generally the feeling is amongst a lot of people who have gone through that process is that coaches tend not to perform as well as the institution does. In the end for Miami, it all kind of depends what kind of charges the school is facing. We kind of expect in addition to the specific violations the NCAA feels it has evidence of it's pretty much a guarantee there is going to be a failure to monitor charge. I would also be surprised if there is not a lack of institutional control charge as well. If Miami's cooperation is considered better and the coaches don't perform well in the hearing that could lead to the COI sort of finding that in spite of institutional failings by Miami this was more the coaches fault and bring the penalties down on the coaches more than on the institution -- especially considering the two post-season bans the [football program] has already imposed."

Q: How much does Miami taking a two-year ban help its case with football?

"You're probably looking at no more than [two years]. Three years of post-season ban is pretty rare -- given the USC case, which is some of the harshest sanctions. Being already two years, I'm not sure you add a third one to a school that has self-imposed two. In terms of scholarships or recruiting restrictions, I don't know if it will have as big of an impact there. I kind of feel like they took care of that post-season penalty. The COI will impose other penalties they see fit and not go into any further post-season bans. If they did that's something Miami would probably appeal."

Q: We've heard UM has done a good job cooperating with the NCAA. How much does that help?

"I forget where I saw it reported but I have seen more than just cooperation, but exceptional cooperation. One of the things fans see is that schools get rewarded for cooperating, but there is a level of cooperation you have to do to meet your obligation and then there's a level you get extra credit for. [Cooperation is] making sure you get to interview everybody you want. Going and suggesting you should interview this guy as well because he may have information too -- that's when you see something like exceptional cooperation. It could be that [the NCAA is] giving [Miami] a little bit of praise publicly just because it wants to. But it could also mean [Miami is] reaching a certain level of cooperation that has significance in the NCAA investigation where they might get a break on a penalty as a result."

Q: Would exceptional cooperation be telling former athletes that if they didn't cooperate they wouldn't be allowed back on the sidelines? We've heard that and our Barry Jackson reported that last week.

"If they were able to get people who normally wouldn't have replied to the NCAA or allowed themselves to be interviewed by the NCAA and Miami helped make that happen -- especially athletes UM has no jurisdiction over -- that's going above and beyond what the NCAA asks on the case. That may lead to a lessening of penalties. But there is already a high bar for cooperation. You have to go above and beyond that to get any sort of relief from penalties in front of the COI. Having the coaches there especially if Miami is going along with it and agreeing to the findings of the NOA and the coaches aren't the ones fighting, in the end you are dealing with people who are making a judgement call. Being the one that's not fighting and the ones who want to raise a fuss about stuff makes the school look better in comparison."

Q: Former coach Randy Shannon has not linked to any of this. In fact, we've heard stories and its been reported he was telling his players and coaches to stay away from Nevin Shapiro. Does that help Miami's football program in this case considering it appears Haith was involved with Shapiro.

"It certainly does. We've seen Shannon not being named in any of the violations and him not facing any unethical conduct or failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance charges. Because he is the head coach, he is supposed to be the one as the direct link to the administration and what they do in terms of monitoring and applying compliance. If he did that well, that helps show there was a chain of command of monitoring and promoting institutional control and thus the blame falls on the assistant coaches. If that's the case then, we may see kind of a smaller failure to monitor or lack of institutional control that could end up more centered on the basketball violations where it looks like the head coach was involved in some manner. While charges like failure to monitor are institution violations it can get to be more specific than that. It can focus on what sport led to that charge."

Q: Will UM's history play a factor? The school was still under probation for baseball violations through the 2005-2006 academic year.

"It will. It certainly will be brought up by the COI. But I think it's more important if [Miami] is considered a repeat violator in this case. I believe a lot of that depends on how far back the NCAA is able to prove the violations. I believe they had a case [in baseball] in the mid 2000s. If they did in that case -- as Yahoo! reported -- they would definitely be under a repeat violator status. The thing is we haven't seen with that repeat violator status -- outside of the USC case -- that there have been significantly harsher penalties as a result. UCF is one example. UCF was under repeat violator status -- kind of a similar violation as Miami in terms of a booster or third party who is providing benefits on a smaller scale. But again we sort of saw them impose sort of a standard penalty the COI has been imposing, losing scholarships, a one-year post-season ban, recruiting restrictions, going after the individuals and sort of move on. I think the Miami case is probably a little too big for that. But again, I do kind of think in some ways the COI is going through the motions until the new enforcement program starts up in August. There is a little bit of a sense of the current process having a lame duck quality to it. That play in Miami's favor as well."

Q: How is the NCAA's new process different and how does the fact Miami doesn't fall under the new rules help?

"The new rules are going to be harsher, it's going to be a different kind of process and involve different people. We just saw there are eight new people appointed. So, I think because of this reset almost, the NCAA sees there are flaws in this process and as of Aug. 1, 2013 were going to fix it. While the current cases are taken seriously, the fact the same penalties have been applied in the last two or three cases sort of suggests they're not going with the same fire and brimstone as they did with USC. That helps Miami."

NCAA investigation, Canes' recruiting chatter

Long day Monday and I fully expect the rest of the week to be busy now that the NCAA appears ready to hand the University of Miami and others its notice of allegations any day now. 

> Ultimately what I've come to understand through two sources is that the NCAA reached out verbally to the lawyers of the parties involved in the investigation last week (that includes schools where former assistants are now at) to let them know what they will be receiving in the coming week and to be prepared for it. All parties are expected to receive their notice of allegations via email sometime soon (UM should be in the same boat because this is how the process works). All parties then have 90 days to respond in writing to the NCAA before appearing at a hearing in front of the NCAA Infractions Committee in four to six months. So, as has been reported many times, we are far off from the punishment phase. You can look at it as the first half of this 22-month investigation being over.

> A source close to former UM recruiting coordinator and receivers coach Aubrey Hill told me Monday what what CBSSports.com first reported -- that Hill is expected to be cited for "unethical conduct," better known as a violation of Bylaw 10.1. Hill resigned at the University of Florida prior to the 2012 season and had far less interaction with Nevin Shapiro according to my source than Clint Hurtt. But both will reportedly face the music for not being as forthcoming as they should have been when being interviewed by the NCAA.

> A source told me two former UM assistants who are not expected to be hit hard by the NCAA are Alabama's Jeff Stoutland and Joe Pannunzio because they were honest and up front with investigators. Pannunzio is now the director of operations at Alabama; Stoutland the offensive line coach. What they could and most likely will face as punishment for driving recruits to see Shapiro are suspensions and fines, but not the dreaded 10.1. FYI, information on all coaches at non-private schools is public record. So eventually what all former assistants are facing will come out. UM, being a private school, does not have to share its NOA. 

> Don't be surprised in the end if certain individuals who played big roles in the NCAA's investigation are not named in the report and do not face any charges. As we've mentioned in the past, some who cooperated with investigators are granted immunity. In some cases, as I was told by a source interviewed by the NCAA, people who broke rules may only end up being referenced in the report and not face charges. 

> In the meantime, as the NCAA investigation continues to unfold, UM coach Al Golden and his staff are busy recruiting and preparing for National Signing Day. After it's big recruiting weekend UM picked up just one commitment -- from Nigerian-born JUCO defensive tackle Ufomba Kamalu. But another commitment could soon be on the way this week in Miramar outside linebacker Jermaine Grace.

The Rivals.com 4-star recruit visited Louisville this past weekend and was supposed to announce his college choice Tuesday morning, but Miramar coach Damon Cogdell told me yesterday Grace will now wait until Thursday or Friday. Cogdell said he was "working with TV" to have the announcement broadcast. Grace, who has long thought to be a Hurricanes lean, will choose between UM, Louisville and Tennessee.

"He likes them all," Cogdell told me on Monday of Grace's final three. "Louisville is coming off the win against Florida and talking national championship. UM is young, but loaded. Tennessee has a new coach. We're going to sit down tomorrow and figure it out."

I'm fairly confident Grace will elect to stay home. He is close friends with Hurricanes cornerback Tracy Howard, his former Miramar teammate and Miramar's coaches believe he can come in and help UM's defense right away.

> Although the mother of Port St. Lucie Centennial defensive lineman Jaynard Bostwick told Canesport.com Sunday her son's "heart is at The U" and that she thinks he'll end up there, his coach sounded a little less confident Monday it was a complete slam dunk.

"He has a trip to Florida this weekend or next weekend and then he'll make his decision," Centennial coach Ron Parker said. "I think he wants to wait until National Signing Day. I told him if you want to let the coach of the school know ahead of time, that's fine too. But he'll make the announcement on Signing Day. It's between Miami, Alabama and Florida."

Bostwick, 6-3, 305-pounds according to Parker, is the cousin of UM linebacker Thurston Armbrister and has a sister that lives in Broward County. Parker said UM coach Al Golden already did an in-home visit with Bostwick last week. He finished his senior season as a third team all-state selection, registering 60 tackles, two sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss while also being a big-time run blocker at tight end.

"He's a moose -- strong, explosive," Parker said. "We had him mostly on the edge. His junior year he had a better year because he had better players around him. This year we had nobody of that caliber. We moved him around inside and out. If he gets a little more flexible he can play on the edge at the next level."

Parker said Bostwick maxed out at 353 pounds on the bench press and squated 535 pounds. "He's just a big kid -- not fat at all," Parker said. "He's only the third kid I've had to play all four years at the varsity level in my 23 years of coaching."

Parker said Bostwick still has some work to do in the classroom. He said Bostwick, rated a 4-star recruit by both Rivals.com, 247Sports and ESPN, has a 2.3 GPA and scored a 20 on his ACT.

"We don't want him to be close; we want him to have everything he needs," Parker said. "I want him to take on online class to replace some D's he made his freshman and sophomore year. By doing that he'll bring his GPA up."

> Rivals.com recruiting analyst Robert Cassidy said of the three JUCO recruits UM has in its class tight end Beau Sandland is clearly the best and the most ready to contribute right away. Sandland was rated the No. 1 JUCO tight end by 247Sports.com after catching 24 passes for 267 yards and 3 TDs at Los Angeles Pierce College this past season.

"There's going to be some work with [outside linebacker] Devante Bond and Kamalu, but Sandland is more of a slam dunk," Cassidy said. "He's a major Division 1 football player right now. All the tools are there. Good hands. He shines with blocking too, not afraid of laying a guy on his back. He's one of my favorite JUCO players in the country."

Cassidy said he's a bit surprised Sandland ended up at Miami, even though Sandland liked UM's tradition at tight end and sees himself as sort of Jeremy Shockey-type.

"Every school in the country was recruiting him. He had a bunch of offers. But he basically had to ruled out the entire SEC because they don't take online math he took as credit," Cassidy explained. "He really liked Florida. He was all geeked to visit Florida. But it ended up coming down to Miami, Arizona State and Nebraska and he felt like he could make the bigger impact at Miami."

> As far as UM's vacant offensive coordinator position goes, I haven't heard anything serious yet. Some have wondered if Mario Cristobal would do it. That's not happening. Cristobal isn't a play-caller. He's a great recruiter and very good offensive line coach.

Former Canes CB Finnie, headed to court Thursday, expected to end up in pretrial diversion program

The lawyer for former Hurricanes cornerback Thomas Finnie expects him to end up in a pretrial diversion program after he makes a court appearance Thursday morning court appearance to face grand theft charges.

Attorney Ken Swartz said because Finnie is a first-time offender he should be able to wrap up his run-in with the law rather easily. The former Miami Central standout was arrested and charged with grand theft and burglary Dec. 11 for his role in a laptop theft on UM's campus the week prior. 

UM suspended Finnie indefinitely then dismissed him from the program earlier this month. Should Finnie complete the pretrial diversion (a four-hour class), all charges would be dismissed.

A family friend told The Miami Herald Finnie will likely end up playing at Bethune-Cookman next season.

Finnie started the first six games of the season for UM and finished with 30 tackles and one interception.

Alex Collins wants to see if he can envision himself as a Hurricane on his official visit

Alex Collins has been down to the University of Miami at least a handful of times since the Hurricanes became the first major FBS program to offer him a scholarship last year when he was a junior.

But those unofficial visits down to Coral Gables, Collins explained Wednesday, were usually just trips to have fun. Friday, Collins will head back down to UM with a different mindset -- to see if playing for coach Al Golden and the Hurricanes is something he can really envision himself doing.

"When I went there before I didn't go there with the mindset of 'Can I be here for the next four years of my life? Is this a school I can see myself at? Am I comfortable here?,' " said Collins, rated the No. 1 all-purpose running back in the country by 247Sports.com.

"I always would go down there and was just sort of happy to be there, like 'This is a nice place. I'm happy to see the coaches, players.' I never went there to envision 'Is this my future?' "

Collins (5-11, 200) hopes to figure that out soon. Once committed to the Hurricanes for almost a year until he decided in November to pull back and look at all of his options, Collins said he's still mulling over a top five or six with three weeks to go before National Signing Day.

So why has it taken Collins so long to narrow things down? Well, as his coach Doug Gatewood explained Wednesday, "it's hard for Alex to tell anybody 'No.'"

"I like to make everyone happy," said Collins, who ran for 1,276 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 games his senior season. "It's always hard to make everyone happy. But to tell coaches no thank you makes you feel like you're missing out on an opportunity.'

"My worst fear is that after I make my decision I say 'Dang I made a mistake.' That's why I've tried to take every visit so I don't have a doubt in my mind."

AUDIO OF COLLINS INTERVIEW WITH MANNY NAVARRO

Collins, who already visited Florida, Wisconsin and Florida State, did say 'No' to somebody on Wednesday: Louisville assistant coach Clint Hurtt, who visited South Plantation in hopes of trying to sway him to take a visit there before Signing Day.

As it stands, the Hurricanes are a bit fortunate to be getting a visit from Collins this weekend. The University of Texas, who began recruiting Collins after he went out to California and played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in California, was pushing for Collins to take a visit to Austin this weekend instead of Coral Gables. But in the end, Collins decided to stick with his original plan.

Next week, though, Collins will take his last official visit to Arkansas, where former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema and assistant Charlie Partridge are trying hard to sway him.

Collins, who at one point had a top three of Miami, Florida State and Wisconsin, explained Wednesday how coaching changes at FSU and Wisconsin really shook up the big picture for him. At one point after de-committing from Miami, Florida State was Collins' leader. But once FSU running backs coach Eddie Gran left to become the offensive coordinator at Cincinnati last month, that changed everything.

"Now as it sit down and think about it I don't have a leader," Collins aid. "Everybody is level. Everybody has the same opportunity."

As far as the Hurricanes are concerned, Collins said looming NCAA sanctions are no longer a serious negative for him because the program decided to self-impose a second bowl ban and is "starting to punish themselves" so the NCAA's sanctions "shouldn't be as harsh."

Ultimately, Collins said, reaching a decision on where to sign will not be easy. He said he's already tried sitting down and making lists of positive factors and negative factors for each school. "It's hard to go by a list," Collins said.

He's studied rosters; which majors are available at each school (he wants to study either criminal justice, broadcasting or sports medicine) and is listening to his mother (who is pushing UM because she wants him close to home) and his coach (a Hurricanes fan who wants Collins to make the best decision for himself in the end). Collins said ultimately it will probably just come down to where he feels most comfortable.

In terms of personnel at the respective schools and the way these programs utilize running backs, Gatewood said Collins "wants to be at a program that more of a featured back than a back by committee."

"That's what he always liked at Wisconsin," Gatewood said. "Even though they used three running backs, Montee Ball was the running back. Whenever he needed a break, they brought James White in. Whereas Florida and Florida State use the back by committee approach. Arkansas has the same staff as Wisconsin so you assume they'll do the same thing as Wisconsin.

"Miami is hard to tell because depth was an issue. They really couldn't do back by committee because there wasn't enough of a committee. Florida isn't going to change. They're going to be the same as they've always been. Florida State is going to be same. Jimbo [Fisher] is not going to change because Eddie [Gran] left."

The Hurricanes are looking for a bigger back like Collins to compliment ACC Freshman of the Year Duke Johnson, who will have senior Eduardo Clements and redshirt freshman Danny Dillard backing him up in 2013. Collins, who maintains a friendship with Johnson on Facebook and talks to him occasionally, said Wednesday he feels like there is an opportunity to play at Miami and that he can "come in and perform and get playing time as a freshman."

Said Collins of Johnson: "I would hate to go down there and take his spot."

Gatewood, who has maintained long-term friendships with Bielema, Gran and Partridge through recruiting in his time as a coach in South Florida, said anyone who gets the idea he wants Collins to leave South Florida "is off base." He said he would love to see Collins play at Miami, but is staying out of the decision-making process.

"In the end, I'm just hoping to get an answer after these next two visits," Collins said. "It's not going to be easy. I'm going to have say 'No' to a few people on Feb. 6.'"

> Miami Northwestern safety Artie Burns, who received a visit at school Wednesday from LSU coach Les Miles, said he and fellow UM commitments Jamal Carter and Kevin Olsen will take officials visits to Miami this weekend to help solidify this year's signing class. 

"We got a few guys like Alex Collins, Denver Kirkland and others we want to make sure become Hurricanes," Burns said. "Coach Golden has a good thing going. We're turning things around."

PODCAST: The latest on Canes' big recruiting weekend with InsideTheU's David Lake

The Miami Hurricanes have three visit weekends left before National Signing Day, but this next one will be a big one for Al Golden and his coaching staff.

Three four-star South Florida recruits -- South Plantation running back Alex Collins, Booker T. Washington offensive lineman Denver Kirkland and Port St. Lucie Centennial defensive tackle Jay-Nard Bostwick -- will be visiting Coral Gables this weekend. 

The Hurricanes, who currently have one player signed and 12 other commitments as part of its 2013 class, have another five to six spots they could end up filling (thank Thomas Finnie and Gionni Paul for the extra slots) by Feb. 6. Golden told WQAM last week the Canes were willing to wait until the end to land some big-time kids late. We'll see if the gamble pays off. 

I caught up with InsideTheU staff writer David Lake, who covers Canes recruiting about as deeply as anyone, on Tuesday to discuss the latest on the Canes recruiting front and this big weekend.  If you've got about 12-13 minutes tune in.

EYE ON THE U PODCAST

COLLINS UPDATE

As for Collins, considered the nation's No. 1 running back according to 247Sports.com, South Plantation High coach Doug Gatewood told me this afternoon the former UM commitment is really undecided with what he'll do. Miami, Florida State, Wisconsin, Florida and Arkansas are all in the picture.

Texas, Gatewood told me, is trying to make push to get Collins' last official visit next weekend. He's currently scheduled to visit Arkansas.

"I asked Alex today to try and give me some sort of idea of what he's really looking for to separate the school and he really couldn't. He has no idea," Gatewood said.

"As far as he's concerned the education, the campus, weight rooms, facilities, all that stuff is pretty equal in his eyes. You talk about playing time, Miami has Duke Johnson. Florida State has the kid from Central [Devonta Freeman]. Wisconsin has James White coming back. Arkansas has kids. Florida has quite a few coming back. He's been to Miami about five or six times on unofficial visits. Hopefully this weekend helps clear some things up for him."

Latest NCAA infractions involving UM similar to what happened in another Canes' case in the late 1970s

Unless you were completely zeroed in on the NFL playoffs or sleeping all day Saturday you know by now the arrival of the Letter of Allegations from the NCAA is imminent. 

A source interviewed in the investigation I spoke to Saturday told me that several former assistant coaches from UM have been told to wait by the phone Monday to hear from the NCAA, who will be sending them their own letter of allegations as it pertains to them. That's the sign the investigation is wrapped up and UM will be notified itself of what's in store. 

Does that mean we will know what penalties UM is facing this week? Absolutely not. That comes later, much later, likely May or June. But at least this long drawn out investigation will be over. UM could ultimately tell us absolutely nothing pertaining to the letter it receives this week because it is a private institution. We suspect, though, some information will be released and the rest will drip-drop out (as usual for UM).

As for the program, this will be the fourth time the football
team comes under NCAA scrutiny for breaking major rules (1954, 1981, 1995) and the sixth time overall the school is cited for major infractions (1964 men's basketball, 2003 baseball). Part of my job here in preparation for all this has been reviewing past cases against The U. Although most of you remember the pell grant scandal of 1995, I was only three years old when UM got hit in Nov. 1981 for major violations involving the team.

I was surprised to see just how similar today's allegations involving jailed booster Nevin Shapiro and former UM assistants are to what the school faced back when Howard Schnellenberger was building Miami into a winner. From 1976 to 1980, boosters and assistant coaches were found to wreak all kinds of havoc in terms of giving improper benefits to players and recruits. In fact, it almost seems like what the Canes were accused of doing back then was worse. You can find every NCAA investigation into major infractions here on the NCAA's Legislative Services Database (just type in the University of Miami to do a search on the Canes and the cases).

Again, I don't bring this up to rub salt on the wound of Canes fans. I've applauded Al Golden and the school with how they've handled this mess, skipping two post-seasons to show the NCAA they take these allegations seriously and want to move forward. But you can always learn something new from history. Here is a short summary of the 1981 case with information provided from the NCAA.

THIRD NCAA CASE OF INFRACTIONS AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

> Ruling date: Nov. 3, 1981

> Sports involved: Football

> Summary of Violations: All violations took place from 1976-80. Improper financial aid and extra benefits (booster gave cash gifts to a player for his good play; down payment for a car); out-of-season practice conducted by the staff (couple times including once involving a recruit); improper recruiting contact (12 cited cases involving staff and impermissible off-campus contact), employment (multiple examples of boosters and assistant coaches hiring a recruit prior to the completion of their senior year of high school to help in the recruiting process), entertainment (boosters, assistant coaches and one former head coach provided recruits and family members with food, drinks, "improper entertainment," tickets to pro games, a party on a yacht), inducements (booster offers to pay airfare for parents, plus provide spending cash; assistant lends his car to a recruit; recruits given free t-shirts, jerseys, equipment; free housing to two recruits on campus for five-to-six weeks), lodging (booster and assistant coach provided some on a few occasions), publicity (contact with media at the time a prospective student-athlete signed a National Letter of Intent with the university), transportation (17-related incidents); tryouts; improper administration of financial aid; certification of compliance.

> Summary of NCAA penalties: Two years probation; no bowl game following the 1981 season (UM finished 9-2 and ranked 8th in the Associated Press poll); reduction of scholarships from 30 to 20 for the 1982-83 season; reprimand an assistant coach for lying in reporting facts relating to a violation. UM did not appeal the findings or penalties. The committee found violations of NCAA legislation related to the principles governing extra benefits to student-athletes, financial aid, practice seasons, various recruiting regulations and certification of compliance with NCAA legislation.

Again, for a complete detailed look at previous UM cases and all cases involving major violations and other programs click on the link above to visit the NCAA website. It's all there. 

Seantrel, Linder, Porter to announce intentions on whether to go pro or stay on Monday

Hurricanes juniors Seantrel Henderson, Brandon Linder and Curtis Porter will announce their intentions on whether they will declare for the 2013 NFL Draft or return to the University of Miami for their senior seasons during a press conference Monday at 11 a.m.

My guess? None of them will be going anywhere but back to the weight room and film room.

None of the players are projected to be first or second day picks in April's draft.

According to NFLDraftScout.com, Henderson (6-8, 340) is listed as the 11th best offensive tackle at his position in the Class of 2014 -- the highest of any junior on UM's roster. But that translates to being a 6th or 7th round pick in April at best if he leaves early.

Linder (6-5, 312) earned All-ACC honorable mention and is the most accomplished of the three. But he ranks 29th at his position in the Class of 2014.

Porter, whose career has been marred by injury, isn't even in the database for NFLDraftScout.com.

College football players who completed high school at least three years prior have until Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, to declare their intention to forgo their remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the draft.

Golden talks Cristobal hire, recruiting, Gionni Paul, NCAA cloud

UM coach Al Golden spoke with WQAM's Joe Rose Friday morning on a number of subjects including how he was one of the first people to call Mario Cristobal the day he was fired from FIU last month.

""My first thought was 'How did he get let go? Look at the Colts. Any coach is a quarterback away from having that type of year," said Golden, who said he was recruiting in New Jersey when he first heard the news. "I thought he deserved an opportunity to continue despite not performing up to his standards."

Golden didn't have a job to offer Cristobal at first, but one became open when former receivers coach George McDonald left for Arkansas about two weeks late. Golden told Rose he interviewed some other candidates, but "ultimately came back to Mario."

"The one thing he brings right off the bat is head coaching experience," Golden said before making the point that offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch will still oversee the offense and make play calls. "Mario is somebody I can count on for some of the ancillary head coaching things and see the big picture a little bit better. His expertise as a tight end coach; o-line coach; a guy that has coached many positions and cultivated talent and recruited talent in this are was too good a package to pass up."

Ultimately, Cristobal should help UM out immensely with recruiting Golden said -- from the northeast during his time at Rutgers to South Florida.

"We're kind of kindred spirits," Golden said. We both took over programs that were absolutely abysmal and kind of turned them around. We have mutual respect from the outside..."

"I didn't know what direction he wanted to go in his career, but when I knew he wanted to be a part of the University of Miami and obviously the love he has for this place and the passion he's going to bring, I just think we improved our football program and our coaching staff yesterday."

> Golden said he's excited about the job UM has done in recruiting thus far alluded to how the program is waiting on a few top local prospects to make a late decision before National Signing Day.

There's a curse and blessing about recruiting in South Florida. The blessing is a lot of the high-end talent is here. The curse is that a lot of guys don't decide until late because they are so highly sought after... You got to be patient and we've done that I believe. I think we've demonstrated to a lot of young men that we're willing to wait for them. We're committed to them and their high school coaches. I think we're going to finish strong here."

> As for linebacker and third-leading tackler Gionni Paul, who mutually parted ways with the program last week, Golden said: "It wasn't going in the right direction. We've decided a change would be best. Right now we're trying to find Gionni a new home and get a fresh start and move forward."

Golden said he doesn't have a lot of rules in place and doesn't want to "micro manage."

"It's always the two percent, three percent that take up the headlines," Golden said. "I walk into a team meeting room Sunday night and there 90 guys there that don't know what the rules are because they do things right. If you got to continue to micro manage those five to eight guys, if you can't trust them, that leads to total control. I don't want to do that to Stephen Morris, Brandon Linder, Allen Hurns, Phillip Dorsett, Anthony Chickillo. I don't want to do that because guys can't follow basic principals."

> Golden said running back Duke Johnson will be joining receiver Phillip Dorsett on UM's track team Monday. Golden said he would eventually like to "see a 4x100 relay team made up of Miami Hurricanes." He alluded to a few recruits in his next class who he thinks will also run track.

Golden said football players who participate in track will continue to lift and participate in drills. "But if they can help our track team out and make us faster or more explosive, I'm all for it," Golden said.

> Golden said he has no idea when the NCAA will finally send its letter of allegations, but feels the program has acted like "a beacon in terms of how you should operate if something occurs. Hopefully we'll be a model of how you self impose and how you make restitution to move a program forward."

"The way I feel is we're having a junior day on Sunday and having some kids coming down. That's going to be the third class I've had to deal with this. People want to talk about probation. We've been on probation. This has been probation, this has been recruiting probation; PR probation. I think we've exhibited class in terms of being open and honest and reaching resolution. We're ready to move on, there's no question about it. We've got great kids on this team. Our graduation rates were tied for first in the ACC."

> Golden said he's done a lot of out of state recruiting in the past and will close in on Florida, specifically South Florida over the final three weeks leading up to National Signing Day.

Cristobal ready to hit the ground running with the Canes

Mario Cristobal was about as shocked as the rest of the college football world was last month when he was fired as the head coach at FIU.

The sting still doesn't look like it has worn off -- even five weeks later. But the 42-year old former Hurricane, who turned FIU from arguably the worst program in the country and built it into a conference champion, made it clear Friday he's ready to move on and happy to be in familiar colors again.

Cristobal, hired on Thursday to become UM's new tight ends coach and the program's new associate head coach, met with the media Friday and expressed his gratitude to coach Al Golden, who was one of the first people to call him on Dec. 5, the day FIU athletic director Pete Garcia dumped him.

"I appreciate the opportunity here, the opportunity provided by coach [Al] Golden, President [Donna] Shalala and the University of Miami," he said. "It's always been an honor to be part of this family. It's a tremendous honor to be back."

"Moments like that aren't the most fun for a family [getting fired]. But the support always was strong [from UM]. What coach Golden has always done around his family is what he's doing right now. He's doing things the right way -- a true care factor which always goes far when you're a teacher. As coaches, that's what you are, a teacher. You're teaching these young men how to be better at everything, not just football. Just knowing what he is about, what he wants for this program, those things aligns pretty well. So when the opportunity was presented, I was thrilled."

Cristobal, who coached with UM defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio at Rutgers in 2001 and 2002, said he didn't get to know Golden until around 2004, 2005. He said their relationship strengthened over time, especially when Cristobal and FIU's coaches were invited to come and watch UM practices over the last couple years.

"He's an intense, relentless worker with a vision," Cristobal said of Golden. "That's the most important thing. A goal without a plan is a wish. You're looking at a man that set a goal, a regimented plan, a very specific, goal-oriented plan. I don't think coach Golden and the staff has got enough credit for putting UM back on track like it is right now. I know the excitement is strong. People can see that this young crop of players is talented and more are on their way and being developed and that's just as important as anything else. It's okay to come in with talent but you have to leave better than you come in. The plan from top to bottom is impressive. It's one that I'm blown away by it. I've learned a lot in a day and a half."

Here is a transcript of what else Cristobal was talking about Friday:

Q: What's it like to be back?
"The last day-and-a-half has been pretty hectic with all the stuff going on. It's an incredible feeling. I think everyone knows how I feel about the University of Miami. I'm excited about getting back here and working and getting to work right away. When I was a player here it's embedded in your mind about being relentless about everything you do. Now joining on a staff in the same way, shape and form is incredible. It's hit the ground running, assisting the staff anyway I can.

Q: Is it awkward going from a head coach to being an assistant?
"Well I was the same person as a GA, less gray hair. I was the same person as an assistant as a head coach. I don't think that changes. You are what you are when you wake up in the morning, when you go to bed at night. I don't think that changes. If it does you were probably raised the wrong way. I'm ready to accept and excel at each and every role I'm assigned to so we can do whatever possible to make sure we flat out win at everything we do -- football, classroom."

Q: When you left here did you envision a scenario where you'd be back here?
"The way it turned out I don't think anyone can ever envision stuff like that. You have to understand how special this place is. I think people in this room do. The focus is on the now. Everything is about the vision coach has set for this program. The way the culture is continually cultivated more and more toward just becoming a champion, a very aggressive mentality in a positive way of making sure good isn't good enough and when great gets here it's not good enough either. It's demanding in the right ways. When you're part of a staff like that it's a tremendous situation."

Q: What does associate head coach mean, your responsibilities?
"A trick question right away [laughter]. To me what it means is I'm part of a great staff. That's how I want to be viewed. That's how I want to approach it. I'm part of the staff. I'm an assistant coach with some duties that go with it."

Q: Do you remember your last practice as a UM assistant in 2006? Randy Shannon said you were deliberating if you should go to FIU or not.
"When you play here, I think I'm speaking the truth, you're kind of trained to be very, very different. You're trained to be something special. There's something special within these walls that's not seen outside of here, not relent for anything. It's persistence to the core. That's a tough decision. In this profession that's the one thing I've learned - it's an unforgiving profession. At certain times some decisions the outside world will never know how painful they are, but when they take place it's done for what someone thinks is the right reason. I've grown tremendously from it, learned a bunch by it. You can't ever learn enough in this profession or life. Those are things that can apply daily in my new position."

Q: With recruiting, how involved are you in that already? Is Brennan Carroll still the recruiting coordinator?
"All of that stuff is going to be settled. The entire staff works on recruiting. There's always a recruiting coordinator title. Not everyone can sit in recruiting meetings, but you'd be amazed the detail and work that goes into it. The short time I've been here, it's been awesome. You look at a group of guys that are detailed in every single facet of what it is to be a recruiter on top of your assistant coach duties. Everyone's involved 24/7. And that's the way it should be. You see the overhaul of the roster. To me with three weeks to go in recruiting it's about attack mode. Wherever I need to go, where I need be sent, need to accomplish in 2014 and 2015, let's go. There is no time to rest. The contact period is on and we're rolling."

Q: How different is the program now vs. when you left it?
"Completely different. The facilities different as well and they're changing. Until you sit there with coach Golden, go step by step with the plan in detail, the expectations he has for himself, assistant coaches; players as well; it's a legitimate program built to win championships, it's not just football. When development on the human side goes hand-in-hand with the human side that's when you build a locker room full of winners. That's certainly what the goal. It's getting done."

Q: What's it like to have to not move anywhere?
"When you're in this profession you may as well live on the moon. The only time you see your kids is when they wake up at 3 a.m. and play wrestlemania on you. It's home, you know. It's a tremendous honor."

Q: How surprised were you that you were fired by FIU?
"It's surprising. Like I said `It is what it is and the focus is on the now.' To me, for those assistant coaches and taking what was considered the worst program in America to a conference title and a bowl game, every year sending guys to the NFL, all the kudos to the assistant coaches and the players. That's really about it in terms of what I have to say about it."

Q: Did coaching and knowing defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio from Rutgers help in the transition?
"He's on the road today, but we worked together over there in a different scenario. That was one of the tougher situations in America. We were under the same professor in coach [Greg] Schiano at the time. All those bits and pieces show up again. He's a great man, great coach, great father. As you walk down the hallway you'll find the same similarities in all the men that are on this staff."

Q: Rob Chudzinski was named the Browns coach. You worked with him. How happy are you for him?
"Very proud of him. He's obviously a great football coach. He got himself a great shot. I know everybody is excited for him. He's been working for a long time. You always have to applaud a guy who probably didn't come in as a the highest ranked player in the class, but somehow, someway he's starting the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. You know his pathway through here. Not only is it well deserved, he'll do extremely well."



Q: How much have you seen your current tight ends on tape?
"Not enough yet. I watched a bunch of games last night. Everyone reports on Sunday, so that's critical to establish relationships, establish standards as well. They understand what's expected. It's another semester now under the program, the off-season program, which is very demanding."

Q: Are there certain areas of the state you'll recruit?"I don't know yet. I'm still trying to focus on how to long on; get my phone number still."

Q: Is there some overlap in recruiting at FIU to now at UM - it's a different recruiting pool, but you have relationships with coaches and things like that.
"Always. You're looking at - it starts as the same pool, ends up being a different pool. But that's okay, there are relationships formed. We'll work at it hard. We take a tremendous amount of pride in it. One of the gifts I thought I received here was learning how to work, learning how to really work and get after it. When you do that you can't help come across people you form relationships with. Sometimes it's a great get or an assist in getting a guy. All those things are being looked at to the max to help out in any way I can."

Q: You have two sons -- 3 and 1 1/2 years old. How are they?
"I feel like being a father has helped me as a coach. My mantra is treat every player like they are your own son. But until that little coconut head popped out, it just wasn't the same. As a coach, you are a teacher."

Finnie latest Hurricane to part ways with the football program

There's another scholarship available for use at the University of Miami.

Cornerback Thomas Finnie, suspended indefinitely last month after surrendering to police and admitting he was involved in a laptop theft on campus, is no longer a member of the Hurricanes football, a UM spokesman confirmed Sunday.

Friday, the team mutually parted ways with linebacker Gionni Paul, who was the team's third leading tackler and a starter for seven games.

Finnie, a former standout at Miami Central, is coming off a sophomore season in which he played in 12 games and made 30 tackles, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. He started UM’s first six games.

According to Finnie’s arrest affidavit, on Dec. 4 the 21-year-old cornerback entered a nearby dormitory room on campus and took the laptop while “there were two human beings [victim] and roommate in the structure.”

The laptop belonged to former walk-on defensive back Robert Wright, who was with the team in 2011 but not 2012.

Finnie has a hearing set for Jan. 10 in Miami-Dade County court. No word yet on where he might be headed.

McGee accepts invite to East-West Shrine Game

Hurricanes cornerback Brandon McGee, who concluded his career with 24 consecutive starts and graduated Thursday from UM with a bachelor's degree in sports administration and a minor in entrepreneurship, has accepted an invitation to play in the 88th East-West Shrine Game.

The game will be held Jan. 19, 2013, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

McGee, a former All-Broward First Team selection at Plantation High will be the 44th Miami Hurricane to play in the East-West Shrine Game and first UM defensive back since Al Blades in 2001. As a senior in 2012, he started all 12 games at defensive back and finished tied for sixth on the team with 54 tackles. He snagged a team-high-tying two interceptions and also notched four tackles-for-loss.

McGee is currently rated the 33rd best cornerback available in the 2013 NFL Draft. He is projected to be a seventh round pick/free agent signee according to NFLDraftScout.com.

Canes CB Thomas Finnie released from jail; hearing set for Jan. 10

Suspended Hurricanes cornerback Thomas Finnie was released from jail Wednesday and is scheduled to go to court for an arraignment hearing at 9 a.m. on Jan 10, Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts records show.

The 21-year old sophomore, charged with a pair of felonies (burglary and third degree grand theft) after admitting to police he stole a laptop computer from a former teammate on campus last week, was released under a pretrial service program court records show. His bond was originally set at $17,500, but he didn't have to pay it per the pretrial service program.

The arrest was Finnie's second as an adult. He was arrested this past July with misdemeanor marijuana possession. He completed a pre-trial diversion program on Nov. 30. 

Finnie's high school coach Telly Lockette said Tuesday night he was disappointed to hear his former cornerback had run into trouble.

"He has a mother and a father he didn't need to do what he did," Lockette said. "I don't know if he was pressed. But I know he has a mom and a dad that love him. He's young, but you have to know right from wrong. Sometimes kids think they are invincible and it catches up with you. I try to tell them all the time one mistake can cost you everything. I hope that isn't the case for him."

Finnie suspended indefinitely after arrest in laptop theft

University of Miami cornerback Thomas Finnie has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested Tuesday morning in connection to a laptop theft on campus last week.

Here is the press release I received from Coral Gables police: "After further investigation by detectives with the University of Miami Police, it was determined that Thomas Finnie, a University of Miami student, was involved in the theft of the laptop computer from a dorm room on campus. Thomas Finnie was arrested today, December 11, 2012, and has been charged with Occupied Burglary and Grand Theft. He has been transported to the Dade County Jail by University of Miami Police personnel."

Finnie is coming off a sophomore season in which he played in 12 games and made 30 tackles, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. He started UM's first six games.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Finnie has two previous arrests. He was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession on July 20 of this year. He also was arrested with third degree grand theft by Hialeah police back in Nov. 2008.

Here is a statement from UM associate athletic director for communications and marketing Chris Freet: "Following the arrest for his involvement in the theft of a laptop computer, UM sophomore football student-athlete Thomas Finnie has been immediately suspended from all University of Miami athletic activities."

Finnie enrolled at UM in Jan. 2011. He was a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com. He helped lead Miami Central to the Class 6A state title in December 2010.

In an interview in June 2011 with UM's sports information department Finnie said he secretly wished he "could wake up 20 years from now and be in a big mansion." He went on to say, "I really want to be the one to bring my family up to par; I want to be the one who makes it out. I want to make my mother so proud and that's what I really want to do. I never quit, I never want to give up, because I really want to try to get there."

Mike James earns MVP honors at team banquet

The Miami Hurricanes held their annual end-of-season banquet Sunday afternoon inside the Treetop Ballroom at Jungle Island.

Running back Mike James was the recipient of the 2012 Jack Harding Team Most Valuable Player Award.

Other winners included:

Hard Hitter Award – Jon Feliciano
Mariutto Family Scholar-Athlete Award – Chris Dunckel
Community Service Man of the Year Award – Mike James
Strength Training Athlete of the Year – Andrew Swasey
Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-On Award – Nantambu Fentress and Paul Kelly
Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player Award – Davon Johnson
Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award – Jake Wieclaw
University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Hero Award – Maurice Hagens
Training Room Comeback Player of the Year – Ben Jones
Hurricane Media “Good Guy” Award – Dalton Botts
Captain’s Award – Shayon Green, Mike James, Brandon McGee and Stephen Morris
Plumer Award for Leadership, Motivation & Spirit – Brandon McGee
Melching Leadership Award – Mike James
U Respect Award – Jeremy Lewis
Scout Team Player of the Year – Akil Craig and Eduardo Lopez
Newcomer of the Year Award – Deon Bush
Defensive Most Valuable Player – Shayon Green
Offensive Most Valuable Player – Stephen Morris
Special Teams Most Valuable Player – Duke Johnson

Duke Johnson becomes UM's 1st All-American since 2005

The honors keep pouring in for University of Miami freshman Duke Johnson.

The ACC Rookie of the Year -- according to both the media and coaches -- was named second-team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation Thursday.

He is UM's first major All-America selection since 2005 (Eric Winston, Brandon Meriweather, Kelly Jennings) and was one of only two freshmen named to the Walter Camp team, joining Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman candidate Johnny Manziel.

The Miami Norland product had one of the greatest freshman seasons in UM history, amassing 2,060 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns, while breaking Clinton Portis' 13-year-old school freshman rushing record with 947 yards. He ranked nationally with a 33.0 yards per kick return average. His 892 kick return yards were a single-season record and he also tied the school single-season mark with two kick return for touchdowns.

Gameday blog: UM at Duke

The Canes (6-5, 4-3 ACC) are playing their final game of the season at Duke (6-5, 3-4 ACC).

Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. and the game can be seen on the ACC Network. Locally, that's Channel 4.

Feel free to participate in our CoverItLive.com chat below. All you need to do is sign in with your email address.

Talk Canes with Manny Navarro, live Q&A begins at 2 p.m.

Come talk Canes with me one last time before the season ends. I'm sure we'll have plenty to discuss.

Chat begins at 2 p.m. Leave your questions on the blog below or tweet them to me. I will answer all of them on the CoverItLive app.

Ultimatum by NCAA on former Canes players shows just how flawed system really is

In case you missed it, our Barry Jackson posted an interesting entry in his latest Sports Buzz column about how the NCAA has sent letters to former UM football players telling them they must talk or they will believe Nevin Shapiro's claims against them.

The deadline is this Friday. Barry and I heard about this last week and he got a copy of the letter recently and posted it on his blog.

Here’s how the letter to one player's attorney reads:

"The purpose of this letter is to apprise you that the NCAA enforcement staff is requesting to schedule an interview with your clients regarding their knowledge of or involvement in possible NCAA violations concerning the University of Miami, Florida, football program.

"Interviewing your clients is important in order for the enforcement staff to conduct a thorough investigation, and both the staff and the institution request you and your clients’ cooperation in this matter. However, at this time, all attempts to schedule and execute interviews with [blank] have been unsuccessful. As a result, this letter serves as a formal and final request by the NCAA enforcement staff for interviews with [blank] to be completed by Nov. 23, 2012.

“If we do not hear back from you or your clients by that time, the staff will consider the non-response as your client’s admission of involvement in NCAA violations. You may contact me at [blank] in order to arrange this interview. Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.”

Sincerely,
Molly Richman,
Assistant Director of Enforcement

MY THOUGHTS

I've heard all along from a couple sources that were interviewed by the NCAA who have told me the organization feels like it has a solid case to hammer UM for lack of institutional control based on the testimony of about eight to 10 former players, former assistant coaches and recruits who went elsewhere and were given immunity.

Not only do I think that stinks (immunity), but I find it downright offensive now that this letter surfaces and that former players are basically being told as the case is being wrapped up they have to speak or all of it is going to be considered true. In my opinion, this is a huge black-eye on the NCAA and the way it goes about collecting its information.

Do we live in America or a dictatorship?

Somebody has to step in here and do something. This system is clearly flawed. 

VIDEO: Al Golden, Stephen Morris, Mike James react to bowl ban

UM coach Al Golden talked about the program taking a second consecutive bowl ban. He also addressed his future with the Hurricanes.

UM quarterback Stephen Morris said the team was "in a state of shock" when they found out Monday morning they wouldn't be going to a bowl game for the second year in a row.

UM elects to skip post-season again

Here is the official release from the school sent this morning:

The University of Miami has made the decision to withhold the football team from bowl consideration for the 2012 postseason. The decision was made in response to the ongoing NCAA inquiry and the University has informed both the NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference of its decision. The decision also means that should the Miami football team qualify for the ACC Championship Game, it will not be eligible to participate. Interim Director of Athletics Blake James informed the team of the decision this morning, two days after the Hurricanes became bowl eligible with their sixth victory of the season.

The unprecedented decision to voluntarily withhold the football team from a second consecutive postseason was made by University leadership, including President Shalala, the Office of the General Counsel and Department of Athletics leaders. Considerable deliberation and discussion based on the status of the NCAA inquiry went into the decision-making process and, while acknowledging the impact that the decision will have on current student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans, a determination was made that voluntarily withholding the football team from a second postseason was not only a prudent step for the University to take but will also allow for the football program and University to move forward in the most expedited manner possible.

The University and President Shalala have been clear from the start of the inquiry that Miami will cooperate fully and will seek the truth, no matter where the path might lead and that the institution will be stronger because of it. The University has already taken proactive measures to ensure more strict compliance with NCAA rules and continues to evaluate further steps. No other self-imposed penalties have been issued at this time and to continue to protect the integrity of the inquiry, the University will have no further comment.

Gameday blog: USF at Canes

The Canes (5-5, 4-3 ACC) are playing their final home game of the season against South Florida (3-6).

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. and the game can be seen on SunSports.

Feel free to participate in our CoverItLive.com chat below. All you need to do is sign in with your email address.

Duke Johnson on his way to becoming most prolific kickoff return man in Canes history

Thanks to his big day returning kickoffs last Saturday at Virginia, Hurricanes freshman running back Duke Johnson now ranks third nationally in kickoff return yardage with a 35.41 average.

The Hurricanes, who ranked 71st a year ago in kickoff returns, rank eighth overall with a 28.05 average. In 2010, UM ranked 102nd (19.66 average).

So could Johnson end up breaking the single-season kickoff average in Canes' history? He might.

Johnson already owns the school record for most kickoff return yardage in a season (779). But according to the record book, Tremain Mack owns the highest average (1996, 37.71 yards per return, 14 returns for 528 yards). Devin Hester is next with a 28.72 average set in 2003. 

In terms of career kickoff return yardage, Randal Hill owns the mark with 1,169 yards. Johnson, by the way, already ranks ninth all-time in terms of yardage and is tied for the career mark in touchdown returns (2) with Ottis Anderson, Hester and Tim Morgan. 

This week, special teams coordinator Micheal Barrow had high praise for the kick return blocking of Allen Hurns, Mike James, Raphael Kirby, walk-on Nantambu Fentress, Maurice Hagens and Herb Waters.

"Obviously Duke, he hit it hard, found a crease," Barrow said of Johnson's 95-yard kick return for a touchdown. "But those guys laid on a barbwire for him, tried to block guys to the Gatorade cooler and gave him an opportunity to find a button to run off."

UM ranks 13th nationally in kickoff coverage defense, but it's an area UM coach Al Golden and Barrow agreed this week the team has to improve on. Of UM's 56 kickoffs this season, only six have gone for touchbacks. Of the 120 teams at the FBS level, only 14 teams have single-digit touchbacks.

"A few times we've missed a layup, had a guy inside the 20 and missed a tackle," Barrow said. "We also have to get better ball placement where scheme is setup. We went from being one of the tops in the ACC to now we kind of slipped on a banana the last few games. We have to get back to our training and what we do well, and challenge our guys to get off the milk cartons and make plays."

Said Golden: "A lot of it's personnel. We've had a lot of changes, lose Deon [Bush] and Gabe [Terry], elite cover guys in terms of speed and strength. It hurts. We've made a lot of changes there, need some guys to step up and respond - [Raphael] Kirby, guys like that. We need other guys to step up. Eduardo [Clements] is hurt, too. Eduardo was great at it. Dallas [Crawford] has stepped up. We need others to."

MORE LEFTOVERS/NOTES

> Although he's moved back behind Denzel Perryman this week at weakside linebacker, odds are sophomore Gionni Paul will be fighting with freshman Raphael Kirby to be UM's starting middle linebacker -- and not in pass coverage -- next season. Paul was beaten for the game-winning TD pass at Virginia.

"Gionni has a great knack for finding the football," defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio said. "He made 14 tackles [at Virginia]. He has to improve his conditioning, improve his speed and his pass defense and his knowledge of the defense. Until he does all that there's going to be some plays where not only, he but some other guys get exposed [in pass defense]. But I'd rather have a guy who can find the ball, than one who can't, and that's his strongest asset."

Barrow agrees. "He's a guy that has instincts, comes from Ray Lewis' high school. Must be something in the water up there," Barrow said. "He knows what he needs to focus on. Last year he didn't play a lot like he wanted to and we wanted him to. Through the ups and downs, he's kept fighting. I like guys like that."

> Cornerback Brandon McGee on just how country Alabama-born cornerback Ladarius Gunter is: "Allen Bailey is like Green Mile country. LG ain't that country."

> With the program mired in mediocrity and with NCAA sanctions hanging over head, one might imagine the recruiting pitch has changed. Barrow said he tells recruits when he goes out on the trail that at UM there are great opportunities to play.

"It's still an opportunity to win a championship, a great opportunity at education, for playing time," Barrow said. "We're still playing a lot of young guys. We're a top 30 university in the nation, a private school. Socially it's like a buffet here. It's a small town of Coral Gables outside a major city. There's a reason LeBron [James] went to Miami. It's a beautiful place. And with us located in Coral Gables, that's the Beverly Hills of our county."

> Receiver Phillip Dorsett bounced back from his struggles with a nice performance at Virginia. The Canes, however, will be short a couple more receivers this week with Allen Hurns banged up, Davon Johnson likely out and Rashawn Scott still suspended. The good news? South Florida ranks 102nd out of 120 FBS teams in pass efficiency defense.

"They like to play a lot of Cover 4, Cover 8, man up," Dorsett said. "They're a physical defense. Secondary can run a little bit. I know [former Monsignor Pace standout] Kayvon Webster. I went to middle school with him. It's going to be a challenge like every week."