April 05, 2016

Samuels promoted to head coach at Flanagan

The successor to Devin Bush at Flanagan has been made official, and the Falcons are staying within the family.

Stanford Samuels Jr., who served as Bush's defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, was promoted to head coach on Tuesday after Bush took a position on the football staff with the University of Michigan.

"Everybody's excited," Flanagan athletic director Al Guzzo said. "[Samuels] is excited and Coach Bush is ecstatic... this is the first branch of the Coach Bush coaching tree.

"They have a lot of similar qualities in terms of coaching style and Coach Samuels is going to bring in his own little dimension of coaching."

Bush, in a message to the Herald, said Samuels "deserves it."

Samuels will be looking to pick up right where the Falcons left off under Bush, winning the Class 8A state title.

"The goal hasn't changed. Since Day One the goal has been to win a state championship," Samuels said. 

Bush and Samuels both played their college ball at Florida State, and the similarities don't end there.

Samuels takes over in a similar situation that Bush was in last season with his son, Stanford Samuels III, a highly-touted four-star senior recruit. Bush went along with son and linebacker Devin Bush Jr. to Michigan, and Samuels isn't ruling out any possibilities in the future.

"The one thing I know for sure is that I'll be coaching," Samuels said. "Outside of that, as to where, I love Flanagan, we built a foundation there, a different atmosphere. We renamed it -- Dirty Bird Nation. With that being said, there's no place like home.

"Being honest, it is a possibility that a college job would come up, but you never can tell with those things. For me, it's just about taking care of this season."

Samuels is going on his seventh consecutive season coaching Samuels III. He coached his son at Flanagan his first three years of high school and the previous three years in optimist play.

While many dubbed Samuels the favorite for the job, Guzzo says that was not the case and he had to beat out other candidates that interviewed.

"We left it wide open. Going in, there was no clear-cut favorite," Guzzo said. "Everybody was on a level plain."

Bush put in a good word for Samuels.

"Coach Bush did a great job of making it evident that I am capable of doing it with the responsibilities he had given me the past three years," Samuels said. "I feel like the work was already put out there. You could already see the type of things I would do as the head guy."

On top of serving as defensive coordinator the past three seasons, Samuels has also dabbled with the offense and special teams at Flanagan, making it clear he was an all-around top candidate being involved in coaching all three phases of the game.

Samuels, who attended Miami Carol City, was quite the defensive back in his playing days. He may be most famous for this hit on Roscoe Parrish in a big rivalry game against the Miami Hurricanes while at FSU.

 

March 21, 2016

Notes, quotes and observations from HoopMIA All-Star Game

HoopMIA
The top high school senior basketball players in South Florida gathered at SLAM Academy's Little Havana gym for the HoopMIA All-Star Game. Photo: David Furones.


The HoopMIA All-Star Game presented by the Junior Orange Bowl on Sunday at SLAM Academy was a tremendous display of the hoops talent South Florida possesses.

A pair of stacked rosters of high school seniors, headlined by Miami Norland's five-star McDonald's All-American power forward and UM signee Dewan Huell (make sure to also read my full post on him), congregated to put on a show at SLAM's beautiful seventh-floor gym in Little Havana with scenic views of downtown Miami/Brickell through the windows on the east side and a glance at Marlins Park to the west.

The entertaining all-star game, which was preceded by a slam dunk contest and three-point shootout, played two 20-minute halves of high-flying, fast-paced action and even provided some free basketball with the grey and white teams tied at the end of regulation.

In overtime, McArthur's Nate Johnson sank a corner three for the white team to tie it at 133 with 11 seconds remaining. Pines Charter's Matt Johnson was then fouled with 2.3 seconds left and hit the game-winning second free throw for the grey squad. The white team could just throw up a halfcourt shot that missed at the buzzer and grey won 134-133.

Miami Central's Anthony Wilson sent it into overtime with a basket with 30 seconds remaining in regulation while Mater Academy point guard Dylan Frye held for the last shot and missed on a three.

Frye won the MVP for the winning grey team while PJ Hall of Coral Gables took the award for the white team.

As I watched Frye, who is signed to Bowling Green, I couldn't help but think of "White Chocolate" Jason Williams with the way he ran the floor in the all-star game setting. He was flashy while always making the right pass and anticipating teammate cuts before the passing lane was even open (particularly impressive considering he doesn't usually play alongside a lot of his all-star companions). Whenever he was running point, it was alley-oops aplenty for his cutters.

I was pleased to learn postgame that my J-Will assessment was correct as he told me Williams is one of the players he likes to model his game after.

"Jason Williams, Steve Nash are my favorite there," Frye said. "I try to look at things they do, practice them and put it into my game."

Frye touched on what made him decide on Bowling Green.

"I like the campus, the school's great, the teammates," he said. "The offense, I like. It's a lot of screen and rolls, and that's where my favorite part of my game is."

With that being the case, I also recommended some John Stockton to Karl Malone film on top of Williams and Nash before he arrives in Bowling Green, although Nash was very proficient at the pick and roll with Amar'e Stoudemire in Phoenix as well.

**Nate Johnson, like he does for his Mustangs, was able to score in a multitude of ways inside and out.

He said postgame that he's good friends with Frye and was glad to get to go up against him one final time after they met in Class 7A regional semifinals when Johnson got the best of that matchup with his clutch free throws after getting fouled on a last-second three.

Johnson holds offers from Delaware, Gardner-Webb and Charleston Southern and has also begun to hear from Kansas State and Boise State. He takes a visit to Delaware on Thursday and Gardner-Webb on April 8 and also hopes to take a trip to K-State.

"I'm looking for the style of play, coaching and just the atmosphere of the college," he says.

**Coral Springs guard Myron Dewar, after winning a Class 8A player of the year award and leading his Colts to their first state championship this season, showed an array of his on-ball moves and his instincts defensively to cut off passing lanes and get steals.

He noticed the intensity in the mostly free-flowing all-star game pick up as the game was close late.

"At the end everybody just had to tighten up because nobody likes to lose -- whether it's an all-star game, regular game -- so at the end you see everyone getting competitive," he said.

Dewar is currently undecided and had his recruitment pick up after leading Coral Springs' state run. He is getting interest from Bowling Green, Murray State, Akron and New Orleans University while also holding junior college and Division-II offers.

"I just look for somewhere I'm going to play and somewhere I'm going to be comfortable, somewhere where I like the coaching staff and the players around me," Dewar says.

**Wilson, an athletic wing, was a strong defender and distributed to teammates. He exhibited his closing speed defensively when he stole a long outlook pass to an opponent that appeared to be wide open.

Kennesaw State and FIU are schools that have offered Wilson while College of Charleston has also been recruiting him. He plans to visit Kennesaw State on Friday. FIU will be easy for him to visit whenever.

"I just want to go to a team that fits my offensive play and where I feel like I can play," Wilson says. 

The offensive style he wants to play in involves running in transition and a lot of off-ball cuts in the halfcourt.

SLAM DUNK CONTEST & THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT

**Boyd Anderson's Brian Patrick won the slam dunk contest with a 47 in the final with windmill alley-oop off a bounce pass to beat out Huell. Even more impressive was when he jumped over Dewar sitting in a chair for a perfect 50.

Wellington's Alex Dieudonne was equally impressive but may have used his best dunks too early. He scored a 49 and a 50 in the first round, going between his legs in the air with one of them and nearly jumping over someone standing in front of the basket but going to the side of him.

**Hall won the three-point shootout by hitting 11 of 15 three-pointers in the final and beating out Frye by one. Chaminade's Leandro Allende hit that same 11 mark but in the first round.

MORE ASG OBSERVATIONS

**Westminster Christian guard Justin Brown drew oohs and ahs from the crowd as he elevated for some of the more thunderous dunks of the afternoon. He has a knack for timely cuts.

**South Miami power forward Keith Stewart is adroit in the post and able to quickly get the ball up and in through tight spaces on the low block if a team doubles him.

**Champagnat 6-8 center Denzel Jenoure has the ability to muscle through contact and finish inside. Krop guard Karl Jeanty is able to do the same.

**Florida Christian forward Gabriel Perez is dangerous when open for three -- not only as a shooter but he can counter an aggressive close-out with a pump fake and penetrate to create a better shot for himself or someone else.

**Miami High forward Marlon Sierra has a nice mid-range game.

**I definitely missed a number of players in this recap, but go ahead and watch this great video Hoop Journey put together on the day's events to see for yourself what I'm talking about or anything I didn't include. I put rosters underneath it so you can match numbers to names.

 

Grey Team

0- Justin Brown, 6-2 G, Westminster Christian

0- Mark Emmanuel Jr., 6-6 F, Calusa Prep

00- Karl Jeanty, 6-4 G, Krop

1- Matt Johnson, 6-0 PG, Pines Charter

1- Marc Syle, 6-9 C, Miami Christian

2- Alex Dieudonne, 6-4 SG, Wellington

4- PJ Hall, 6-2 G, Coral Gables

4- Ian Cruz, 5-11 PG, LaSalle

5- Dylan Frye, 6-1 PG, Mater Academy

10- Leandro Allende, 6-5 SG, Chaminade

10- Jonathan Andre, 6-6 F, Norland

14- Shaq Carter, 6-8 PF, Zion Lutheran

20- Dewan Huell, 6-10 PF, Norland

23- Jon Brown, 6-5 SG, SLAM

32- Gabriel Perez, 6-5 F, Florida Christian

White Team

1- Nate Johnson, 6-4 G, McArthur

1- Marcus Cassesa, 6-4 G, Taravella

1- Keith Stewart, 6-7 PF, South Miami

2- Brian Patrick, 6-4 SG, Boyd Anderson

4- Ralph Diaz, 6-6 W, Mater Academy

5- David Jean Baptiste, 6-2 SG, Norland

10- Jesus Cruz, 6-4 SG, LaSalle

12- Malik Harper, 6-8 PF, Pines Charter

13-Anthony Wilson, 6-6 W, Miami Central

21- Marlon Sierra, 6-6 PF, Miami High

23- Luwan Tyler, 6-0 G, SLAM

23- Denzel Jenoure, 6-8 C, Champagnat

32- Myron Dewar, 6-3 G, Coral Springs

45- Levi Cook, 6-10 C, Elev8 Academy

*Chaminade's 6-5 SG Darius Allen was on the roster but did not attend as he was on a college visit.

Twitter: @DavidFurones90

March 20, 2016

McDonald's All-American Dewan Huell: One and done 'the goal' in college, necessary work the first priority

Dewan Huell
Five-star power forward out of Miami Norland, McDonald's All-American and UM signee Dewan Huell at HoopMIA All-Star Game on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Photo: David Furones.


In addition to deep NCAA Tournament runs, which UM is currently in the midst of with entry into the Sweet 16, another sign of an elite college basketball program can be the ability to reel in the blue-chip "one-and-done" prospects.

Dewan Huell, the signed McDonald's All-American five-star 6-10 power forward out of Miami Norland who is ranked the No. 21 high school senior in the nation by 247 Sports (23 by Rivals, ESPN and 25 by Scout), indicated on Sunday at the HoopMIA All-Star Game that if given the opportunity to go pro after one year of college he would go for it.

When I asked him about the possibility of being one and done with the Hurricanes, he said, "That's the goal."

At the moment, though, neither DraftExpress nor nbadraft.net have Huell going in the 2017 NBA Draft -- the former listing 10 current high school seniors as freshman one-and-dones next year and the latter 16.

Huell, however, says he doesn't pay attention to the early 2017 predictions as he's more focused on a more immediate concern that will in turn help him potentially crack those projections.

"Work is on my mind -- getting better, improving," Huell said. "I need to work on everything -- just take it to the next level."

Huell's participation in the HoopMIA all-star game and slam dunk contest was his final high school appearance before the McDonald's All-American Game on Wednesday, March 30. He leaves for Chicago on Saturday.

Dunks and alley-oops came just about as easy for Huell in the game as they did in the dunk contest. So much so that at one point in the second half he began comically passing up easy dunk opportunities to dish it to a teammate and get others involved.

Huell didn't get many looks on the low block due to the quick pace of the game, but he was fierce in driving to the basket from the middle of the floor/elbow area and also showed he can counter it by stopping on a dime for a turnaround fadeaway while the defender is still backing up. His spot-up shooting range extends to the three-point line.

With some similarities evident, Huell says he models his game after Anthony Davis.

"He's a stretch four, pops the three, goes down there [in the post] -- all-around guy," he said.

Huell will look to be more aggressive in the McDonald's game and take advantage of every opportunity in the game at the United Center that will be broadcast on ESPN.

After that, it's off to UM. He touched on what made him side with coach Jim Larranaga and the Hurricanes.

"He's a very seasoned guy, real cool and relaxed. He's a good coach, ACC Coach of the Year," Huell said. "[I like] the fact that it's a hometown school, my hometown."

On what UM is getting in him, Huell said a "dependable guy. When you need me, I'm going to be there."

**Also make sure to read the full wrap on day's events and analysis on standouts, including recruiting updates.

March 16, 2016

Al Blades Jr. breaks down STA transfer, his recruitment

Blades Jr
Al Blades Jr. at The Opening Miami Regionals on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Photo: David Furones.


Al Blades Jr., the highly-sought 2018 cornerback who transferred this offseason from University School to St. Thomas Aquinas, went in depth with the Miami Herald on the move.

"My development," Blades (6-0, 170 pounds) says. "I basically just want to get better and be ready for college.

"[Aquinas] pushes you as a student, which is great so when you go into college you're not going into the deep end. It also pushes you as a player because you're surrounded by people just like you. If you have a man next to you on the same level as you, that just makes you want to work even harder."

A prime example would be five-star senior wide receiver Trevon Grimes, whom he'll now get a chance to go up against on a consistent basis in practice.

"That's really a blessing to go up against someone like that every day," Blades says. "If you can go against the No. 1 player in the nation, you should fear no man -- no matter what. That just helps you with your confidence going into games."

In the Rivals Camp, Blades says Grimes beat him one-on-one quite a bit, but he learned from the experience.

Recruiting-wise, Blades says that since decommitting from UM, he doesn't have any top schools. 

He does say Florida State, UCLA and UM are recruiting him a little harder than other schools -- the Bruins from which he is still awaiting an offer. He adds that he likes the Hurricanes combination of head coach Mark Richt and cornerbacks coach Mike Rumph.

He has also received recent offers from Georgia and Mississippi State.

Blades went back to the day he became the second player invited to the 2018 Under Armour All-America game, receiving the invitation in person from Deion Sanders.

"I was on my A-game that day," he recalled. "I played really well that day at the Deion camp and he saw the potential in me and we just got together."

Blades recently debuted his recruit diary. If you missed that, make sure you check it out.

 

March 10, 2016

UM commit Waynmon Steed likes DC Manny Diaz's defense, says shoulder '100 percent'

Waynmon Steed
Waynmon Steed at The Opening Miami Regionals. Photo: David Furones.


Four-star Miami Central linebacker and UM commit Waynmon Steed says his shoulder is feeling "100 percent," and it showed on Sunday as he took home linebacker MVP honors at The Opening Miami Regionals.

Steed sat out his entire junior season recovering from surgery on a torn labrum. He initially committed to the Hurricanes under the previous coaching staff in February of 2015 (before the surgery), and the new staff is only making positive strides in his recruitment.

"I like the 4-3 defense and I like the linebackers coach, Coach Manny Diaz," said Steed (5-11, 221 pounds). "He treats me like I'm already there, a true UM commit. That's what I like about him."

Steed likes how the defense will play aggressively.

"He talked to me about that, he showed me film and everything on how he's going to change the concept," Steed said. "It was great to hear. That's what we run [at Central], so I'm kind of used to it a little bit."

And not just Central, but mostly all high schools in South Florida. Steed thinks more local defensive recruits that weren't previously considering Miami will now pay more attention to the Canes because of the scheme.

Steed says his shoulder has been fully recovered since January. It originally popped out of place in a playoff game his sophomore season. He would continue to pop it back in and play through it all the way through the following spring, but with the injury constantly lingering, he learned he tore his labrum after the spring and had surgery, sidelining him his entire junior season.

Steed, who added an LSU offer in January and a Cal offer last week, runs a 4.7-second 40-yard dash and a 4.3 in the shuttle.

His highlights that got UM to offer after his sophomore campaign:

Twitter: @DavidFurones90

Dunning high on LSU, wants Alabama offer

 

Tyler Dunning
Photo: David Furones.


Since decommitting from Miami, St. Thomas Aquinas four-star linebacker Tyler Dunning has had a new list of suitors he's surveying.

LSU, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Kentucky and Syracuse comprise his top five of schools he currently has offers from.

"I'm looking at LSU a lot," Dunning says. "I've always liked LSU. LSU has always been that school to me, that type of school that I like."

Alabama has also begun to show interest since Dunning decomitted and coaches have told him they will swing by to check him out in the spring. Dunning says an offer from Alabama could catapult the Crimson Tide to the top of his list.

On the field, Dunning hopes to improve on his pass coverage. The 7-on-7 season will present him with the right opportunity to do that.

He likes what the Aquinas defense will be able to do next season.

"Our defense is going to be crazy," he says. "We might have cheat codes over there."

He's especially thankful for the transfer of defensive end Lashawn Paulino from Coconut Creek.

"That's my boy. He's going to make sure the O-line stays off my knees," he says.

Last season Dunning was effective on the defensive line (as seen in his highlights) from the time five-star Ohio State-bound defensive end Joey Bosa went down. He will return to his natural linebacker position for his senior season.

Twitter: @DavidFurones90

March 09, 2016

'Big chance' LB Miller commits to UM, Canes also top WR Harley's list

Miami recently lost commitments from a local linebacker and local pass catcher in Tyler Dunning and Kemore Gamble, but in-state replacements in the 2017 recruiting class could come imminently. 

Lakeland Kathleen three-star linebacker Ventrell Miller told the Miami Herald there's a "big chance" he commits to the Hurricanes, and three-star St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Mike Harley has called the Canes his clear No. 1.

Miller (6-0, 227 pounds) says he likes the new coaching staff at UM and the fact that it's a private school.

"It's a place where I can grow and develop as a linebacker," Miller says. "It feels like home, it's not far from home and they have a tendency to send linebackers to the NFL."

A notable one would be Ray Lewis, who went to his same high school. You think he's heard of him?

 

Miller adds he needs to take another visit to the Coral Gables campus before making any kind of decision and that UNC is the only other school in contention for his services at this time.

Harley (5-10, 170) says the Canes have topped his list for about a month now.

"Good coaching staff and it's home where my family can see me play," he says.

He doesn't know when he'll knock out a final decision, adding he's "still letting the recruiting flow through."

Harley's 21 other offers, according to 247 Sports, include South Carolina, Mississippi State, Utah, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

Harley won wide receiver MVP honors at Sunday's The Opening Miami Regionals and also impressed at the Rivals Camp the previous week.

Twitter: @DavidFurones90

 

Canes surging for Jeudy; Tigner likes UF, Auburn

Jerry Jeudy
Jerry Jeudy at The Opening Miami on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Photo: David Furones.


Deerfield Beach will once again have one of the most formidable wide receiver tandems in South Florida with four-star Under-Armour All-American Jerry Jeudy and three-star Lavarus Tigner.

Jeudy (6-1, 180 pounds) told the Miami Herald at The Opening Miami Regional on Sunday (where he qualified for The Opening in Oregon) "all my top is equal."

But Bud Elliott of SB Nation and Peter Ariz of CanesInsight have reported that it's Alabama and Miami at the top for Jeudy, who also noted to Zach Abolverdi of SEC Country that he doesn't have a leader (when previously listing the Crimson Tide as his favorite) and "all of the schools are equal right now."

While Jeudy is giving off some mixed signals, one thing that's clear is that UM has boosted itself immensely in recruiting him since the new coaching staff has taken over.

"They have a nice coaching staff," Jeudy said of the Canes. "They moved up a lot. It was just cool [taking an unofficial visit last week]. I like the way the coaches were talking to me. We were just going over what I'd be doing in their offense."

The Hurricanes stand in a much better position with Jeudy now than they did in December when he tweeted out this top 10 that made no mention of them.

Jeudy feels his speed and ability to get open is what makes him elite. He says his two favorite things to do as a receiver are either to take a screen and go all the way with it or blow the top off a defense with a deep route.

**Tigner (6-0, 180.5) has Florida and Auburn a his top two schools with the Gators in the lead.

"Florida I just feel like is another home. Academic-wise, I like both schools, but I just feel more comfortable at Florida," Tigner says. "If I had [to go with] any other option, I'd go with Auburn."

Also helping UF is that Tigner considers himself good friends with St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback and Gators commit Jake Allen.

Last season Tigner wasn't able to be as impactful as he wanted to be playing behind Jeudy and Riley Ridley, now at Georgia. He's excited about what he can do either opposite of Jeudy or alongside him.

"This year is my year," Tigner says. "Two great receivers on the same side of the ball, nobody can [handle] that."

Tigner is a player with the ideal confidence and attitude for a receiver that is bound for success.

"I come out here to prove a point. I'm the best," he says.

He was impressive when seen at the South Florida Express tryouts in late January, winning virtually every one-on-one matchup.

Twitter: @DavidFurones90

March 08, 2016

Marco Wilson a more complete player since recovering from ACL

Marco Wilson
Marco Wilson at The Opening Regionals at Plantation American Heritage on Sunday, March 6. Photo by David Furones.


Four-star American Heritage cornerback Marco Wilson sat out his entire junior season recovering from surgery on a torn ACL.

Now saying he is 100-percent complete in his recovery, the limits the injury put on his legs helped him make strides in other areas.

"I gained a lot of upper-body strength. Also, mentally, I paid attention to more things throughout the game. Watching my teammates play, I learned how offenses line up, how to watch receivers," says Wilson, who is now 5-11, 180 pounds. 

"I think everything happens for a reason, so it just makes me more hungry because I really miss the game of football. It makes me play harder."

Wilson listed Ohio State, UM, UF, Tennessee and Oklahoma as schools he is highest on at Nike's The Opening Regionals on Sunday at his high school, an event he didn't participate in but was present to watch.

If he chooses the Hurricanes, his position coach in Coral Gables would be his former high school coach in Mike Rumph.

"It helps a little bit because I'm comfortable with him. I know how much of a great coach he is. I know what he can do on and off the field for a player," Wilson said. "I think he'll develop those guys that he's coaching."

What did Rumph teach Wilson during his time at American Heritage?

"He just helped me with basic technique things. When I came in here as a young guy, I didn't really know that much -- although I also got coaching from my dad (former Miami Hurricane Chad Wilson) -- but he would help me with small things that would make me perform better on the field," Wilson added. "He's always going to be looking out for you and making sure you're doing the right things in school and not just on the field."

While Wilson did not participate in the Miami Regionals of The Opening, he says he will instead opt for the one on May 1 in New Jersey.

"I hope I get invited to The Opening (in Oregon). I heard it's a great experience. My brother (current UF defensive back Quincy Wilson) went there. He told me how good it is," Wilson said. "And I know I'm the best corner in 2017. That's how I look at it."

Marco Wilson was quoted in a 247 Sports article as saying that Miami and Florida -- the two programs he has family ties with -- are recruiting him the hardest.

"I'm not going to anywhere just because of my dad or my brother," Wilson said, however. "I want to play early. I want to make sure I start my career on the right track to get to the next level. Also, I don't want to come in to a college and leave as the same player. I want to make sure that I learn new things and become a better player."

As far as offers he doesn't have that he hopes to get at some point, he goes cross country with USC and UCLA. Distance is not a factor for him.

Before Wilson sat out his junior season, he was last seen making insane highlight catches in practice (like this backflip catch). 

"I could still do all that," Wilson says. "I don't know what I'd do without doing that because I'm very athletic and I like to show it."

He says he is yet to come up with any new tricks but will be back at it.

Wilson's sophomore highlights:

March 07, 2016

Ohio State, Florida steady at the top for Grimes

Trevon Grimes
Trevon Grimes at The Opening Regionals at Plantation American Heritage on Sunday, March 6, 2016. Photo: David Furones.


Ohio State and Florida remain the two schools in the lead for five-star St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Trevon Grimes -- with OSU at the top.

The Buckeyes have been known to be the top choice for the Midwesterner from Indiana who grew up an Ohio State fan for some time.

"Since I was a freshman, they just treated me like a son," said Grimes at Nike's The Opening Regionals on Sunday at Plantation American Heritage -- where he earned a spot at The Opening in Oregon. "They didn't look at me as a recruit. They looked at me as more of a family member."

Grimes added that having Hall of Fame wide receiver and former Buckeye Cris Carter as his position coach as a freshman only added to his feelings toward the program. 

Despite everything that has pointed toward Ohio State for Grimes' services, he's still taking a good look elsewhere to assure he makes the best decision.

"Now that I have the opportunity to go there [OSU], it's like, 'Why not?' But as time has gone on, I've had a chance to look at other colleges -- Florida, Miami," Grimes says. "I know that it's a tough decision, but there are other schools in the running too."

You'll notice Grimes included UM on his own. He wasn't asked specifically about the Hurricanes. He clarified, though, that the Gators are No. 2 for him and the Canes are just one of the schools in the mix after the top two.

He first moved UF into that second spot when he took a Junior Day visit to Gainesville. The UF momentum remains since the trip in late January, which allowed him to see first-hand what his quarterback teammate, UF commit Jake Allen, means when he talks up the Gators.

"All he does is, 'Florida this, Florida that.' Now that I get a chance to actually know what he's talking about, I understand why he says the things that he does," Grimes notes. "He just says Florida has an amazing atmosphere, has amazing coaches, great facilities. Once I got up there, I walked through the doors to get there and right once I stepped in I felt love... I just felt welcome."

Of the Hurricanes, Grimes says he likes wide receivers coach Ron Dugans.

"He's a great man," Grimes says. "We sat down in his office and he didn't talk to me like a recruit, he talked to me like life lessons."

How hard will it ultimately be for any other school to beat out Ohio State?

"Pretty hard," Grimes says. "They have the lead, but nothing is impossible."

Grimes is uncertain of when he will make a final decision.

**Grimes and Allen say he will be the newly-minted No. 1 overall player in the nation in the Rivals rankings next time they are updated. As of now, he's ranked third and the nation's top receiver. He was alerted of the news on Saturday.

"I woke up, saw it and I was just amazed," Grimes says. "Hard work has paid off. I'm still speechless. It's a dream come true."

**A 6-4 receiver, Grimes models his game after someone similar in stature -- Calvin Johnson.

"Why not him? Growing up, I loved everything about his game. He's a big, tall receiver, stretches the field, deep threat guy -- huge and he's fast," Grimes says.

**While receivers like Miami-bound Sam Bruce and Michael Irvin and Illinois-bound Dominic Thieman are moving on from Aquinas, the Raiders will be reloaded once again with returning producers like Michael Harley and up-and-coming talent, including a transfer from Western in 2018 receiver Elijah Moore, a close friend to Grimes.

"I'm just looking at bringing him in, embracing him, getting him acclimated, showing him the little things," Grimes says. "I just feel me and Jake Allen's connection -- we all have an amazing bond.

"We look at each other like brothers, not teammates."

In addition, the Aquinas offense received a big transfer at running back from four-star senior Kyshaun Bryan.

Here are Grimes' junior year highlights:

Twitter: @DavidFurones90