Barring some late additions (which could very well happen), the Hurricanes 2016 Signing Class is pretty much set.
UM has 18 players it has added to its roster and now it's time to rank them based on the impact I think they'll make not only immediately but long term.
1. Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Orange Park Oakleaf, 6-1, 239
- The U.S. Army All-American and nation's fifth best inside linebacker according to 247Sports.com had been committed to UM since before his junior season and all I've heard across the board from scouts is how he's going to be the best linebacker Miami has had in years. Let's face it, Quarterman doesn't have much in the way of competition to see instant playing time. He's already physically bigger than senior Jermaine Grace (6-1, 221) and only a few pounds lighter than juniors Juwon Young (6-2, 245) and Darrion Owens (6-3, 247). If those three guys are your starters next season, Quarterman, an early enrollee, is your fourth-best linebacker ahead of junior Marques Gayot (6-1, 222) and a bunch of other guys that haven't really seen the field.
2. Sam Bruce, WR, St. Thomas Aquinas, 5-8, 180
- With only five returning scholarship receivers on the roster, the Under Armour All-American and 11th best receiver in the country according to 247Sports.com will probably end up being the most impactful freshman at UM. Outside of senior Stacy Coley who should be the No. 1 receiving option, there's no reason Bruce couldn't soar past junior Braxton Berrios and sophomore Lawrence Cager to become the second or third-best weapon in the passing game behind Coley and tight end David Njoku.
3. Ahmmon Richards, WR, Wellington (Fla), 6-1 1/2, 171
- The U.S. Army All-American was a Hurricanes commitment for over a year until Al Golden was fired. Wednesday, the Hurricanes beat out Alabama to get him back. Rated the nation's 28th best receiver back into the class, Richards had 73 catches for 1,278 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. He's not going to do that at UM as a freshman, but he could very well be the second or third best receiver on the team behind Bruce by the time he's a sophomore.
4. Zach McCloud, LB, Lake Worth Santaluces, 6-2, 215
- Like Quarterman, McCloud has good size and not much in the way of overwhelming talent in front of him. Rated the nation's 18th best outside linebacker according to 247Sports.com, he figures to be a starter by the time he's a sophomore and will probably be the fifth-best linebacker on the team in 2016.
5. Romeo Finley, S, Niceville (Fla.), 6-1, 198
- He's not going to play a whole lot right away because the Hurricanes are bringing back seniors Rayshawn Jenkins and Jamal Carter at safety, but he's nation's 15th best safety according to 247Sports.com and will be starting by his sophomore year alongside Jaquan Johnson. He was a pivotal, late signee in this class for Richt.
6. Malek Young, CB, Coconut Creek, 5-9 1/2, 182
- A couple of scouts told me that although he wasn't the top recruit at Coconut Creek this season, he was the team's best player. The U.S. Army All-American was rated the 47th best corner by 247Sports.com and after switching from Georgia after Mark Richt was hired, I can tell you he'll see the field a lot as a freshman. Miami badly needed cornerbacks and outside of senior Corn Elder and sophomore Sheldrick Redwine don't have a lot in the way of returning experience. Young could very well start at nickel corner as a freshman and will immediately compete for playing time on kick returns and punt returns. Of the three-star recruits, he's the best in my opinion.
7. Michael Pinckney, LB, Jacksonville Raines, 6-0, 213
- Rated the 19th best inside linebacker by 247Sports.com, Pinckney is the type of playmaking outside linebacker the Hurricanes have sorely missed. Like McCloud, he'll be fifth or sixth on the overall linebacker depth chart right away and contributing on special teams for sure. Down the road, he'll be starting regularly and making big plays.
8. Jack Allison, QB, Palmetto (Fla.), 6-5, 200
- The nation's eight-best pro styler passer according to 247Sports.com and an Under Armour All-American, Allison could be the Hurricanes starting quarterback by 2017 if Brad Kaaya decides to leave early for the NFL. Is he as good as Kaaya? No. But experts will tell you he's good enough to beat out Malik Rosier after a year of learning under Richt.
9. Patrick Bethel, DE, Vero Beach, 6-3, 245
- The Under Armour All-American and 14th best strongside defensive end in the country according to 247Sports.com is going to end up being the best Hurricanes legacy player in a long list Miami has had recently. He's got the size to play immediately, though, there is talent ahead of him on the depth chart. The good news: he'll push Al-Quadin Muhammad, Chad Thomas and others to be better and more consistent than they have been. He could be a regular starter by 2017 when he's a sophomore.
10. Travis Homer, RB, West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy, 5-11, 195
- Rated the nation's 10th best running back by 247Sports.com, Homer ran for 1,315 yards, 11 touchdowns as a senior and could fit in nicely as a freshman as a third down back. While Joseph Yearby had a nice sophomore season, Mark Walton didn't exactly explode (3.5 yards per carry) as a freshman. Homer has home run hitting ability and if Miami's running game sputters or someone gets hurt he could be given an early shot.
11. Joseph Jackson, DE, Gulliver Prep, 6-5, 245
- Rated the nation's 16th best weakside defensive end by 247Sports.com, scouts love the size and upside Jackson has. But they think he's probably a year to two years away from showing that on the college field. Long term, he could be the best NFL prospect in the class.
12. Dionte Mullins, WR, Gulliver Prep, 5-10 1/2, 179
- Under Armour All-American ranked the 34th best receiver by 247Sports.com has worlds of talent. But his academic issues -- he was ineligible to play as a high school senior -- give pause. If he's able to make it into the class, he could end up contributing right away as a freshman in a small role and help the team long term.
13. Jovani Haskins, TE, Bergenfield (N.J.), 6-4, 235
- Rated the nation's 19th ranked tight end according to 247Sports, the former high school quarterback has tons of athleticism and looks and feels a lot like current Hurricane David Njoku. But Haskins is probably a year to two years away from being a real contributor.
14. Cedrick Wright, S, Gulliver Prep, 5-9, 180
- Rated the 38th best safety by 247Sports.com, Wright has always been a bit undersized for safety. He's a tweaner and probably a candidate to at least experiment with a switch to corner.
15. Michael Irvin Jr., TE, St. Thomas Aquinas, 6-3, 220
- The son of Hall of Fame receiver and Hurricanes legend Michael Irvin has plenty of skills, but he's going to need to put on some weight and grow into the tight end position. In a year or two he should be ready to contribute.
16. Tyreic Martin, DT, Lanett, Ala. 6-3, 265
- Rated as a three-star recruit by both ESPN and Rivals, Martin was a necessary addition for depth at defensive tackle. But he's a high ceiling player who needs to develop. The Canes have had too many of those at defensive tackle. But if new defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski likes him, who am I to judge?
17. Tre Johnson, OL, Orlando First Academy, 6-7, 280
- Rated as the 148th–best player in the state of Florida by the 247sports, the former Illinois commitment played both offense and defense in high school and chose the Hurricanes over East Carolina. But he's very raw and doesn't have a lot of playing experience (16 games). He's a project at a position you can afford to have one for now.
18. Jeff James, S, Orlando Olympia, 6-1, 185
- The nephew of Hurricanes running back Edgerrin James, Jeff was ranked the 118th best player in the state by ESPN after totaling more than 1,000 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns as a senior. He had nine interceptions, among the most in the state. But it's unclear where exactly he's going to play for the Hurricanes. Some websites like 247Sports didn't even have him ranked.
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