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.

 

Drew White: Notre Dame commitment 'a no-brainer'

There will be no drama next season as to where St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker Drew White is going.

White, who will be a senior in the fall, announced on Monday night on Twitter that he will take his football talents in the next level to Notre Dame. He spoke with the Miami Herald on Tuesday afternoon about the decision at a gathering at the Aquinas gym to announce the football team will travel to Las Vegas to play against defending national champion Bishop Gorman in September.

Proud to say I have committed to The University of Notre Dame 🍀 pic.twitter.com/qGnq3ag5zj

— Drew white (@Drew_white11) March 22, 2016

“When I visited there, it really felt like home,” said White, a 6-1, 225-pound three-star prospect. “The campus was beautiful and I toured all of the facilities. I got to meet with every coach and I just really felt like I would fit in well in every aspect. It was the total package between football and academics it really was a no-brainer.”

White, who will be looking to help the Raiders win a third consecutive state title next fall, said that committing early wasn’t something he felt he necessarily had to do but just felt like he didn’t need to wait any longer because his mind was made up -- as was Notre Dame’s.

“It wasn’t necessarily a thing where I wanted to get it out of the way early but Notre Dame has always been the school I’ve loved since I was a kid,” said White. “I grew up watching them on TV every week so I really didn’t see any reason for me to wait any longer because I knew that was the school I wanted to go to. Now I can start getting to know all the coaches and building relationships early.”

**Make sure to check the Herald's high school sports page later for the full story on Aquinas' announcement on the big game.

BILL DALEY

Al Blades Jr. breaks down STA transfer, his recruitment

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.

 

Dunning high on LSU, wants Alabama offer

 

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

Canes surging for Jeudy; Tigner likes UF, Auburn

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."

Couple other notes I didn't get time to tweet out.

Alabama then Miami for Jerry Jeudy

FSU then LSU for Daniel Wright.

More tomorrow.

— SB Nation Recruiting (@SBNRecruiting) March 6, 2016

Alabama remains a big factor, but hearing that Miami is in a very positive spot with elite 2017 WR Jerry Jeudy. Must get from SoFla #Canes

— Peter Ariz (@PeterAriz) March 9, 2016

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.

‼️Top 10‼️ pic.twitter.com/pqf7Q8yBzo

— JJ⁴ (@jerryjeudy) December 16, 2015

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

Al Blades Jr. debuts his recruit diary

It's not often fans get to see high-end recruits truly open up to the world. They are mostly restricted to their responses to the basic recruiting questions -- who's in your top right now? What schools are recruiting you the hardest? Got any visits planned? When do you think you'll make a final decision?

Al Blades Jr., one of the top 2018 prospects who is already set to play in that year's Under Armour All-America game, is changing that, debuting his recruiting diaries with a comprehensive video introducing himself to the world.

Even those who are already familiar with the St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back's work will learn a lot about him by watching his in-depth video, which covers a wide range of topics.

Blades isn't sure how often he will continue putting videos out, but by the looks of the debut, it will be a series to follow throughout his recruitment.

 

For the link to the page, click here.

And while we're on the topic of Blades Jr., you may want to check out his sophomore highlights at University School.

Twitter: @DavidFurones90

Ohio State, Florida steady at the top for 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

 

 

Frierson 'blessed' to join hometown Hurricanes

Gilbert Frierson (Twitter)

Since putting his skills on display at the South Florida Express tryouts in January, Coral Gables 2018 defensive back Gilbert Frierson has seen his recruitment erupt with major programs from across the country offering him scholarships.

On Saturday at UM's Junior Day, Frierson got the one he was apparently looking for the whole time as it turned out to be the offer he would commit to on Tuesday -- the Miami Hurricanes.

"I was truly blessed to receive an offer from my hometown team," said Frierson, who is the cousin of another Coral Gables Cavalier turned Miami Hurricane in Frank Gore. "It felt like home.

"On Junior Day when I was out there, [defensive coordinator] Manny Diaz told me [I had an offer]. It was a great feeling."

Although early for the sophomore that measures up at 6-1 and 170 pounds, Frierson adds that "so far" he is certain UM is the school he'll sign with in nearly two years.

After discussing it with my family, I am committing to the University of Miami 🙌🏈 #Canegang #Storm18 #Gocanes pic.twitter.com/x54uQuToTa

— Gilbert Frierson (@_gbe2) February 23, 2016

"Real long limbs, long arms, very rangy at that safety position or at corner. Just very instinctive," say Coral Gables coach Roger Pollard. "He's working on his speed right now running track."

In the past month, Frierson has received other offers from Alabama, Georgia, USC, LSU and Oklahoma among his 10 in total.

"The attention and all of the offers from all over the country I think is a tribute to the caliber of player he's going to be and really that he is right now" Pollard says. "I'm excited that I've got him for two more seasons."

Mark Richt has been able to recruit Coral Gables in the past with wide receiver Shaquery Wilson currently a Georgia Bulldog.

On top of being Gore's cousin, Frierson's brother is senior Gables linebacker Shakur Cooper, who signed with FIU.

"He's the youngest of a lot of talented guys to play football," Pollard said. "His football knowledge is through the ceiling."

Frierson is now one of five prospects committed in UM's 2018 recruiting class -- four of which are fellow defensive backs.

Frierson's sophomore highlights:

'The next Tyrann Mathieu,' Trajan Bandy, commits to Oklahoma

Trajan Bandy at All-Dade interviews. Photo: Justin Azpiazu//FOR THE MIAMI HERALD

Four-star Columbus cornerback Trajan Bandy announced on Sunday that he committed to Oklahoma.

Coach Bob Stoops and secondary coach Kerry Cooks had their messages to Bandy appeal to him. Their persistence in his recruitment paid off.

"Coach Stoops has been in contact with me since they offered -- and also Kerry Cooks," Bandy said. "They're genuine and they are real."

After talking it over with my family. I am verbal committed to THE University of Oklahoma #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/EiwFN3jXZu

— Trajan Bandy (@BandyTrajan) February 21, 2016

The commitment comes after Bandy (5-10, 180 pounds) named the Sooners his favorite on Wednesday, according to 247 Sports. He had noted Clemson was a school he liked during his junior season.

The highly-sought prospect had offers from major programs all over the country, except -- oddly enough -- the big three schools in the state of Florida (UM, UF and FSU).

"They didn't [offer] and they will regret it -- I promise. I will never stop going in," Bandy said. "Just know this -- I will be the next Tyrann Mathieu wherever I go.

"[Cooks] said from day one they know a lot of schools overlook me, but he said he loves my style of play and he likes me a lot." 

Some of the other offers aside from Oklahoma and Clemson included Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Michigan and USC.

As for the "Honey Badger" comparison, Bandy says when he plays in tournaments teammates tell him he plays just like Mathieu. Check out his highlights and see if you think the comparison is legitimate.

Outpour of positive reaction on social media from recruits at UM Junior Day

Despite the decommitment of St. Thomas Aquinas linebacker Tyler Dunning -- one that was a foregone conclusion anyway -- new UM football coach Mark Richt's first Junior Day with the Hurricanes received rave reviews on social media from recruits.

We begin with committed four-star defensive lineman out of Fort Lauderdale Dillard, a former teammate of Dunning's in Jon Ford.

Had A Great Time At The U Today! 🙌🏾

— Up Next!!! (@Ford__1) February 20, 2016

Great Time🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/mTHX7GMmFU

— Up Next!!! (@Ford__1) February 20, 2016

Ford wasn't the only one posing with new defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski on Saturday as he endured quite the photo shoot in front of the big U on campus based on the frequency of tweets from other recruits that took pictures with him.

Below we see Mobile (Alabama) St. Paul's Episcopal defensive lineman Ryan Johnson and Miami Carol City defensive tackle Rashad Colson with the man they call Coach Kool.

🌴Miami is definitely lit so far🔥🌴 #ItsAllAboutTheU 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/tLjWtJxuR6

— Ryan Johnson 4⃣4⃣ (@ryanjohnson_50) February 20, 2016

At The University of Miami🔸🔸#Squad17 🙏#JuniorDay @LetsMeetAtTheQB pic.twitter.com/oRDYP3dKSN

— ⚡Rashad Colson⚡ (@rcolson_51) February 20, 2016

A top priority in four-star outside linebacker/defensive end out of Carol City, De'Andre Wilder, who currently lists UM as his leader, is seen here in this post by Hialeah Champagnat Catholic linebacker Donovan Georges, a 2018 prospect.

Scott Lake Bros never goin away💯🙌🏾🔥 pic.twitter.com/KwXU37KqPR

— D_boy (@d_b0yisland) February 20, 2016

Here we see UF-committed offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort out of Miami Norland (a former UM commit) with Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson quarterback Shabazz Telfort.

We Just In Them Trenches Trying To Find A Way Out 💯 @Otf_Bazzz #Squad17 pic.twitter.com/qd7PrjPBxc

— Kadeem Telfort ® (@Nosackzone___) February 20, 2016

One recruit who is considered a Gator lean in four-star Cocoa athlete Bruce Judson appears to have enjoyed "Miami life" with the family.

Miami life 3️⃣0️⃣5️⃣🔶🔋🙌🏾❗️#Squad17 4️⃣Way🤔🎦 #GoCanes #UM pic.twitter.com/lHuFttqn7k

— Bruce Judson Jr™ (@4way_lilbruce) February 20, 2016

Committed linebacker out of Miami Central, Waynmon Steed, called it "home sweet home."

Home Sweet Home 🙌🏾🌴 pic.twitter.com/ppwvtR7ZKg

— W.Steed 1️⃣ (@TheyEnvyWayne) February 20, 2016

A trio of Brunswick (Georgia) recruits in wide receiver Shawn Smith and offensive linemen D'antne Demery and Jabori Williams had fun throwing up the U.

The U 🌴 pic.twitter.com/RBjC5P0P2d

— Shawn Smith (@_BallToHard) February 20, 2016

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 wit my boys @bigmandemery @williams_jabori pic.twitter.com/B4dCHFEmy0

— Shawn Smith (@_BallToHard) February 20, 2016

More reaction from Mobile (Alabama) Murphy running back Nicholas Sims, 6-6 Neptune Beach Fletcher offensive lineman Cordavien Suggs and Palm Beach Gardens athlete Amari Carter.

Had a great time at #TheU 🙌🏾 w/ @MarkRicht Really enjoyed myself 📗_📙 ! pic.twitter.com/10MIwe7clW

— Nicholas Sims (@IAM_THEGOAT5) February 20, 2016

It was a great experience at the University of Miami Jr Day #TheU #Hurricanes #Squad17

— Cordavien Suggs (@_73era) February 20, 2016

Loved Miami 💯🙌🏿 #Squad17

— AC5️⃣ (@Carter_Fame) February 20, 2016

Under-recruited Champagnat Catholic running back Javier Zuniga, Dade County's leading rusher last season at Miami Sunset, got a chance to check out the U.

Jr Day At The 🙌🏽🏈 #2017 @Coach_Marroquin pic.twitter.com/wvIf0Vgbt8

— Mr.2000 (@LilZuCampaign_) February 20, 2016

Junior Day isn't only for juniors, of course -- you already saw the high-profile Georges. Another key development on Saturday was that 2018 Coral Gables defensive back Gilbert Frierson, who lists numerous other offers from major programs got his hometown scholarship offer.

Blessed to announce I have received an offer from the university of Miami #CaneGang #Storm18 pic.twitter.com/MMFF4Fk5vL

— Gilbert Frierson (@_gbe2) February 20, 2016

Below we see reaction from one prospect who's certain to be a top 2019 recruit in Loganville (Georgia) Grayson outside linebacker Owen Pappoe, who is throwing up the U with co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach Thomas Brown. 

🙌🏽 Ayee Miami @iamthomasbrown #TheU pic.twitter.com/1TrToBYuNE

— Owen Pappoe (@opfreak15) February 20, 2016

Apopka 2018 athlete Steven Billings-Larson Jr., someone with incredible credentials on the field and in the classroom, said he "got to know the entire staff and received encouraging feedback from the coaches." Because he's so ahead academically, he may be able to reclassify to 2017 and would look into it if he gets a UM offer.

Excellent Jr day with the @MiamiHurricanes yesterday. Truly a 1st class organization, led by men of character. 🙏🏽🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/Arv0KwFxST

— #StevenLarsonJr (@smbljr) February 21, 2016