College football

Miami doesn't go far to find top prospects

By MICHAEL SNYDER
Published February 3, 2005

CORAL GABLES - When it comes time for Miami to restock the cupboard, the Hurricanes usually don't have to travel far to find what they're looking for.

That was again the case Wednesday when coach Larry Coker announced UM's signees, headlined by Carol City High safety Kenny Phillips, Miami Northwestern offensive lineman Christopher Barney, and Miami Norland's versatile Richard Gordon, who has played virtually every position on both sides of the ball.

"I'm really impressed by the outstanding academics of the entire class, in addition to the athleticism and speed of the players," Coker said. "It's a great group and will be an exciting class, one of which all Hurricane fans will be tremendously proud."

Though there will be plenty of talk about the players who didn't sign with UM - including Pahokee tailback Antone Smith, Georgia defensive end Kyle Moore and New Jersey linebacker Brian Cushing - snagging local talent such as Phillips will no doubt take some of the sting away.

Phillips, with 4.43-speed in the 40-yard dash, is without doubt the big catch of the class, choosing UM over Tennessee.

He was widely thought of as the nation's top safety prospect and is rated the nation's No. 12 player regardless of position by rivals100.com. "He has great intelligence, understanding of the game, poise, confidence," Carol City coach Walt Frazier said. "All that's based on the fact that he has size, speed, he has awareness of what his responsibilities are as a player and as a leader."

Phillips said the decision to stay home wasn't difficult. "They told me who was coming back and that they're not bringing me in to sit, but to play right away," Phillips said. "They said there's a need for me at that position."

UM went after linemen on both sides of the ball, defensive backs and linebackers. The 'Canes, who only have two scholarship players at quarterback, did not sign one despite losing Brock Berlin and Derrick Crudup.

Barney has earned comparisons to another Hurricanes lineman from Northwestern High School, Vernon Carey. Barney, who called it "a childhood dream" to play for UM, is considered equally adept at both run blocking and pass protection.

Gordon, who also considered Florida, Florida State and South Florida, could play almost anywhere. As a senior in 2004, he played in just five games because of a problem with high blood pressure.

Other highlights of the class include linebacker Spencer Adkins from Naples, who was rated the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the South by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and tight end Dajleon Farr of Galena Park, Texas, rated the nation's No. 3 prospect at his position who could see action immediately with Kevin Everett departing.

Live Oak Suwannee cornerback Bruce Johnson, who is the nephew of UM cornerback Kelly Jennings, could also see action in the nickel or dime packages this fall alongside his uncle. Rated the nation's No. 4 cornerback prospect by scout.com, Johnson was an impact player on both sides of the ball in 2004.

Offensive lineman Reginald Youngblood of Houston Washington was rated the No. 2 tackle in the country by rivals100.com. Matt Pipho of LaPorte City, Iowa, is the first player from his hometown to attend a Division I-A program. He's also a pre-med major.

[Last modified February 3, 2005, 01:08:13]