Hello again, ‘Crootin fans! We’re back, and it’s time to talk about Miami’s premier recruiting event:

Paradise Camp 2018

Implemented by Mark Richt in 2016, Paradise Camp is one of the highest profile recruiting events in the country. It ranks up there with Georgia’s Dawg Night (started by Richt when he was the Bulldogs’ coach), Florida’s Friday Night Lights, Florida State’s (renamed) Saturday Night Live, Alabama’s A Day, and others.

In the first 2 years, Miami has brought back Hurricanes Legends to coach at the camp. Players such as Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Jeremy Shockey, DJ Williams, Jon Beason, Jon Vilma, and more have been back to work with the HS players who attend Paradise and (by their mere presence) advance Miami’s recruiting efforts. The only confirmed coach so far this year is Jon Beason, but I’m sure there will be plenty more to come.

LATE EDIT: Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt just released the list of Canes greats who will be coaching at Paradise 2018. And woooo buddy. It’s a good one. Here, see for yourself:

As usual, an awesome lineup of football alumni! They love it here, and we love them! Ready to kickoff Paradise Weekend 2018!! pic.twitter.com/8lL2fRwGR4 — Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) July 27, 2018

Now, the main key component to any recruiting event is the collection of recruits who will be in attendance and participating. We’ll get there in a minute, I promise, but here’s a general overview of the events of the weekend:

Friday - Pool Party and Cookout. This is an off the field event, but building relationships — a key in recruiting — will be the focus here.

Saturday - Main event. Invite only. This is where this year’s group of UM legends will be seen and make their mark. There will be elite competition (several 5-star recruits have said in the past that the talent at Paradise Camp was better than at Nike’s The Opening or other elite recruiting events). Basically, if you’re looking for a recruiting event to attend, this is it.

With construction on the Carol Soffer Football Practice Facility ongoing, but nearly completed, on the Greentree Practice fields, Paradise Camp will take place on the Intramural Fields in front of Stanford Residential College (where I lived when I went to The U) on UM’s Coral Gables campus.

Now that I’ve said all that to lay the landscape of this weekend’s events, let’s get to talking about the players who will be in attendance. There will probably be a couple late surprises who show up.

*list of attendees per 24/7, Rivals, and CanesInSight reports

Class of 2019 Attendees Ranking Position Name Height/Weight School Commitment (if any) Ranking Position Name Height/Weight School Commitment (if any) 5-star WR Jadon Haselwood 6'3" 195lbs Cedar Grove (Ellenwood, GA) Georgia 4-star WR Jeremiah Payton 6'1" 190lbs Duncan U. Fletcher (Neptune Beach, FL) Miami 4-star LB Anthony Solomon 6'0" 190lbs St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Miami 4-star S Keontra Smith 5'11" 195lbs Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) Miami 4-star CB Te'Cory Couch 5'9.5" 148lbs Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) Miami 4-star OL Michael Tarquin 6'5" 290lbs Belleview (FL) Miami 4-star LB Avery Huff 6'3" 200lbs St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Miami 3-star DE Jahfari Harvey 6'4" 215lbs Vero Beach (FL) Miami 3-star RB Marcus Crowley 6'1" 200lbs Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL) Miami 3-star TE Larry Hodges 6'1" 234lbs Jesuit (Tampa, FL) Miami 3-star DT Jason Muñoz 6'4" 276lbs St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Miami 3-star CB Jarvis Brownlee 5'10" 169lbs Carol City (FL) Miami 3-star CB Damarius Good 6'0" 183lbs Lake Brantley (Altamonte Springs, FL) Miami 3-star LB Samuel Brooks 6'2" 195lbs Northwestern (Miami, FL) Miami 3-star OL Kingsley Eguakun 6'3' 293lbs Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL) Miami 3-star DT Denzel Daxon 6'1" 315lbs Doral Academy (Doral, FL) Miami 3-star DE Cam Williams 6'5" 215lbs Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, FL) Miami 4-star RB Kenny McIntosh 6'1" 210lbs University School (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 4-star DT Braylen Ingraham 6'4" 260lbs St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale) 4-star ATH Mark-Antony Richards 6'1" 190lbs Wellington (FL) 4-star TE Keon Zipperer 6'2" 240lbs Lakeland (FL) 4-star DT Quashon Fuller 6'4" 277lbs Lehigh Acres (FL) Florida State 4-star OL Wardwick Wilson 6'5" 305lbs Doral Academy (Doral, FL) Florida 3-star DT Jalar Holley 6'2" 280lbs Buford (GA) 3-star DT Jason Blissett 6'4" 271lbs Poly Prep (Brooklyn, NY) 3-star S Cornelius Nunn 6'0" 170lbs Palmetto (Miami, FL) Syracuse 3-star CB John Dixon 6'0" 170lbs Chamberlain (Tampa, FL) 3-star DE Dorien Josey 6'2" 230lbs Rockledge (Brevard County, FL) 3-star RB Jalen Mitchell 5'11" 201lbs Rockledge (Brevard County, FL) 3-star ATH WIllie Gaines 5'10" 165lbs Cocoa (FL) Toledo 3-star TE Rahmod Smith 6'5" 202lbs Homestead (FL) UNLV 3-star OL Michael Cartwright 6'6" 285lbs Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, FL)

Of the 2018 Paradise Camp attendee list, there are 16 players currently committed to Miami. There is no vocal leader a la DeeJay Dallas in 2016 or Lorenzo Lingard in 2017, but there’s a ton of commits — Miami’s entire 2019 class at present is scheduled to attend — and expect them to be recruiting the uncommitted or otherwise committed guys very, very hard throughout this weekend.

Oh, and one quick note: 4-star CB Tyrique Stevenson is likely to go elsewhere for camp this weekend, but Miami was able to get him on campus for a visit on Thursday per reports. Just wanted to put that out there.

To my mind, the top targets of the non-Canes commits on the above list are:

WR Jadon Haselwood - ranked the #3 prospect in this class on the 247sports composite, Haselwood is the definition of an elite player. Getting the Georgia commit on campus is a win for Miami, and the Canes will reportedly try to make a big push here. Understandable, to say the least.

- ranked the #3 prospect in this class on the 247sports composite, Haselwood is the definition of an elite player. Getting the Georgia commit on campus is a win for Miami, and the Canes will reportedly try to make a big push here. Understandable, to say the least. ATH Mark-Antony Richards - Younger brother of Miami star WR Ahmmon Richards, Mark-Antony has the size, and skill, to be an impact player on offense or defense.

- Younger brother of Miami star WR Ahmmon Richards, Mark-Antony has the size, and skill, to be an impact player on offense or defense. RB Kenny McIntosh - Younger brother of former Canes DT RJ McIntosh, Kenny is a big back with plenty of wiggle to go along with a diverse skillset. Odds on favorite to be the 2nd RB in this class.

- Younger brother of former Canes DT RJ McIntosh, Kenny is a big back with plenty of wiggle to go along with a diverse skillset. Odds on favorite to be the 2nd RB in this class. TE Keon Zipperer - Miami wants 2 TEs in this class and Zipperer is the guy they want to add with Larry Hodges to make that happen. Expect a big push from the Canes this weekend.

- Miami wants 2 TEs in this class and Zipperer is the guy they want to add with Larry Hodges to make that happen. Expect a big push from the Canes this weekend. DT Braylen Ingraham - Miami needs DTs. Ingraham is the best DT prospect in SoFLA this cycle and has the frame, and potential, to be very, very good at the college level.

- Miami needs DTs. Ingraham is the best DT prospect in SoFLA this cycle and has the frame, and potential, to be very, very good at the college level. DT Jalar Holley - Plays a position of need, and attends the HS where new DL coach Jess Simpson was the legendary coach for the majority of his 20 years at the prep level.

- Plays a position of need, and attends the HS where new DL coach Jess Simpson was the legendary coach for the majority of his 20 years at the prep level. S Cornelius Nunn - After missing on a couple Safety targets earlier this cycle (thanks to some questionable recruiting decisions), Miami will reportedly look to flip the Syracuse commit.

And while that list is impressive, there will be additional depth and talent in the form of underclassmen who will be attending Paradise Camp as well. Here’s that list: (note: all 2021 players are unranked as of now but will get rankings this upcoming season.)

Paradise 2018 Underclassmen Attendees Year Rating Position Name Height/Weight School Commitment (if any) Year Rating Position Name Height/Weight School Commitment (if any) 2020 4-star CB Henry Gray 6'1" 175lbs Central (Miami, FL) Miami 2020 4-star WR Marc Britt 6'0" 170lbs Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah, FL) Miami 2020 4-star TE Dominic Mammarelli 6'4" 235lbs Naples (FL) Miami 2020 4-star DE Samuel Anaele 6'4" 243lbs Doral Academy (Doral, FL) Miami 2020 3-star WR Marcus Fleming 5'11" 175lbs Southridge (Miami, FL) Miami 2020 3-star DL Elijah Roberts 6'3" 238lbs Columbus (Miami, FL) Miami 2020 5-star WR Marcus Rosemy 6'1" 178lbs St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 2020 4-star RB Jo'Quavious Marks 5'11" 170lbs Carver (Atlanta, GA) 2020 4-star RB Demarkcus Bowman 5'11" 186lbs Lakeland (FL) 2020 4-star WR Bryan Robinson 6'0" 175lbs Palm Beach Central (West Palm Beach, FL) 2020 4-star OL Jalen Rivers 6'5" 327lbs Oakleaf (Orange Park, FL) 2020 4-star DE Chantz Williams 6'4" 212lbs Oakleaf (Orange Park, FL) 2020 4-star CB Miles Brooks 6'2" 171lbs Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, FL) 2020 4-star DE Andy Boykin 6'3" 257lbs Troup County (Lagrange, Ga) Auburn 2020 4-star DE Latarie Kinsler 6'4" 212lbs Pahokee (FL) Louisville 2020 4-star OL/DL Marcus Dumervil 6'6" 300lbs St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 2020 4-star ATH Ladarius Tennison 5'9" 184lbs Rockledge (SW Brevard County, FL) 2020 4-star RB Ikaika Ragsdale 6'0" 195lbs Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) 2020 3-star QB Micah Bowens 6'1" 180lbs Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) 2020 3-star ATH Caziah Holmes 6'0" 175lbs Cocoa (FL) 2020 3-star OL Jonathan Denis 6'3" 270lbs South Dade (Homestead, FL) 2020 3-star WR Xzavier Henderson 6'3" 180lbs Columbus (Miami, FL) 2020 NR WR Ja'Vontae Williams 6'2" 160lbs Glades Central (Belle Glade, FL) 2020 NR S Jaiden Francois 6'0" 185lbs South Dade (Homestead, FL) 2020 NR OL Richard Leonard 6'4" 285lbs Cocoa (FL) 2020 NR S Keshawn Washington 6'3" 160lbs South Dade (Homestead, FL) 2020 NR OL Kenley-Mary Asse 6'3" 293lbs Monsignor Pace (Opa Locka, FL) 2020 NR WR Kahlil Brantley 6'1" 165lbs Northwestern (Miami, FL) 2020 NR ATH Fenley Graham 5'11" 170lbs Lakeland (FL) 2020 NR CB Zay Roberson 6'1" 177lbs Lakeland (FL) 2020 NR WR Jim Davis 5'11' 160lbs Glades Central (Belle Glade, FL) 2021 S/LB James Williams 6'3" 200lbs American Heritage (Plantation, FL) Miami 2021 OL Laurence Seymour 6'1" 270lbs Central (Miami, FL) Miami 2021 CB Jason Marshall 6'2" 180lbs Palmetto (Miami, FL) 2021 CB Markevious Brown 6'0" 155lbs Pahokee (FL) 2021 LB Branden Jennings 6'3" 220lbs Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL) 2021 DE Donell Harris 6'5" 210lbs Booker T. Washington (Miami, FL) 2021 OL Marcus Tate 6'5" 265lbs University School (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) 2021 TE Christopher Johnson 6'1" 170lbs Jean Ribault (Jacksonville, FL) 2021 QB Walter Simmons III 6'2" 180lbs Oakleaf (Orange Park, FL) 2021 DE Dedrick Smith 6'2" 170lbs Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville, FL) 2021 WR Romello Brinson 6'2" 170lbs Northwestern (Miami, FL)

There is a TON of talent in that underclassmen list, as per usual. Marcus Rosemy is an ELITE WR and everybody in America will be chasing him. Bryan Robinson will also be a 25+ offer national level recruit. The Oakleaf duo of Jalen Rivers and Chantz Williams are both elite, and have the size to be high level national recruits as well. The group of RBs is deep with Jo’Quavious Marks and Demarkcus Bowman leading the way. Miles Brooks looks to be one of the next elite DBs from DB factor Trinity Christian Academy. Miami would like to get Brooks’ teammate — 5-star CB Fred Davis — on campus as well but that’s yet to be arranged. James Williams is a manchild and it’s ridiculous that he’s already 6’3” 200lbs — if not bigger — and he’s yet to start his SOPHOMORE year of HS. And, plenty of the low rated or unrated South Florida kids in attendance could be able to elevate their status in the years to come.

On top of that, several underclassmen, players like DE Donell Harris and ATH Caziah Holmes (a Paradise 2017 attendee), and TE Christopher Johnson, could commit this weekend. So, be on the lookout for that (or others) as time goes on.

The lists of talent, both senior and underclassmen, are loaded with talent. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I can nearly guarantee that there are other players who are going to come to Paradise Camp who are keeping things quiet until they pop up in Coral Gables this weekend. Even if surprise visitors don’t end up coming, this is still one of the best collections of talent at a recruiting event anywhere in America.

According to InsideTheU, 72% of Miami’s 2017 and 2018 signees attended Paradise Camp, so there has already been tangible results seen from this event.

Paradise Camp is a premium recruiting event, hosted at a premium location, coached by a premium coaching staff, and assisted by legends in the game of football. It, literally, doesn’t get any better than this.

We’ll have plenty of reaction, opinion, and commentary in the days following Paradise. I’ll be on hand for the event for the first time (no professional conflict this year. WOOOOO!!!) so I’ll be sure to relay my experience down in the Gables on Saturday afternoon/evening.

For now, hop in the comments to talk with other Canes fans, and vote in the poll.

Go Canes