Every school looks for any edge it can get in recruiting. Miami has plenty to sell, but one of its biggest assets has nothing to do with coaches riding in helicopters or tricked-out football facility toys.

Many former players are still intimately connected to the program. Coach Mark Richt began building bridges to alumni when he arrived last year, and now the Hurricanes have taken that one step further with a unique approach.

To herald its 10 early enrollees, Miami unveiled a dedicated page on its athletic department website called MiamiSquad17.com. The twist? Each enrollee has a former Miami player breaking down his respective high school game tape on video.

Many former players like Jonathan Vilma maintain a presence around the Hurricanes program. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Six alums participated: running back Duke Johnson; linebackers Jon Beason, Jon Vilma and D.J. Williams; offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie; and quarterback Steve Walsh. The idea to tap into former players to drum up recruiting excitement is not exactly new. Michigan, for example, has grabbed headlines for its “Signing of the Stars” event. (Tom Brady was there last year.)

But the concept Miami put forth makes a very real connection between former players and incoming players, and that was by design. After all, who better to discuss the next Bryant McKinnie than Bryant McKinnie himself?

Camron Ghorbi, who works in the athletics communications office, first came up with the idea last year during a brainstorming session to figure out ways to capitalize on the excitement that surrounds national signing day. Realizing it was too late to come up with a plan for the Class of 2016, Miami came up with a plan for the Class of 2017 and specifically all its early enrollees.

“Part of what made this take on it unique is it’s not uncommon to see Jonathan Vilma or Jon Beason working out or dropping by to see coaches,” Ghorbi said. “Coach Richt and the entire coaching staff have embraced former Hurricanes. It almost seemed like a no brainer to involve them and build excitement."

Browns RB Duke Johnson is one of several Miami alumni who spent time breaking down the tape of the Hurricanes' 10 early enrollees. AP Photo/Ron Schwane

It was a collective effort to get the project off the ground. Miami's alumni relations staff helped schedule players to come in and do the videos. Its digital and video content teams put together all the clips and logo. Athletic director Blake James also helped, and the football staff gave its blessing as well.

There was no hard sell to make to the former players. They all wanted to help in some way. Plus, many either live in South Florida or return to South Florida frequently.

Each of the former players gave good insight into what stands out about each player. Johnson broke down ESPN 300 running back Robert Burns and said, “He's tough to bring down. He gets in the open field, he can run, but this is what really makes the running back -- his ability to change direction in tight spaces.”

During a goal line play, Johnson relayed advice his coach with the Browns gave him, “Any time you get in this area, it's all about the runner, it doesn't matter about the blocking, the runner has to find a way to get in the end zone.”

Miami specifically chose to highlight the 10 early enrollees because they are often lost in the shuffle on signing day when the focus tends to be mainly on the players who make last-minute choices or perhaps even flip their commitment. But the early enrollees are no less important. Of the 10 already in school, five are ESPN 300 players.

The feedback has been positive so this could be an idea that carries on into the future. With such a long list of Miami alums to choose from, it makes sense from a school and recruiting perspective to keep promoting them. Besides, one day these incoming players will be part of the tradition that Miami prides itself on maintaining.