FSU football: High school recruiting IS NOT why FSU fell off in 2024

Miami's 2024 Recruiting Class

Miami signed 27 high school players and 15 transfer players in its 2024 recruiting class that finished No. 6 nationally. The high school class ranked No. 4. but like the 2023 class, it was bolstered by quantity. Here's how that class has contributed in 2024 for the Hurricanes:

High School Signees

• Justin Scott-Minimal contributor
• Marquise Lightfoot-Non-contributor
• Armondo Blount-Non-contributor
• Zaquan Patterson-Non-contributor
• Joshisa Trader-Non-contributor
• Ny Carr-Non-contributor
• Booker Pickett Jr.-Non-contributor
• Elija Loftin-Minimal contributor
• Chance Robinson-Non-contributor
• Artavis Jones-Non-contributor
• Jordan Lyle-Non-contributor
• Adarius Hayes-Non-contributor
• Markel Bell-Non-contributor
• Cam Pruitt-Non-contributor
• Elias Rudolph-Non-contributor
• Ryan Mack-Non-contributor
• Dylan Day-Non-contributor
• Deryc Plazz-Non-contributor
• OJ Frederique Jr.-Non-contributor
• Isaiah Thomas-Non-contributor
• Judd Anderson-Non-contributor
• Cole McConathy-Non-contributor
• Chris Wheatley-Humphrey-Non-contributor
• Juan Minya-Non-contributor
• Daylan Russell-Non-contributor
• Nino Francavilla-Non-contributor
• Abram Murray-Non-contributor

Transfers

• Tyler Baron-Starter
• Simeon Barrow Jr.-Starter
• Sam Brown-Starter
• D'Yoni Hill-Starter
• Jaylin Alderman-Minimal contributor
• Damian Martinez-Starter
• Mishael Powell-Starter
• Cam Ward-Starter
• Elijah Alston-Solid contributor
• Isaiah Taylor-Non-contributor
• Reese Poofenbarger-Non-contributor
• Marley Cook-Non-contributor
• Zach Carpenter-Starter
• Savion Riley-Transfer Portal
• CJ Clark-Minimal Contributor

As I predicted on social media before the season, Miami's 2024 high school recruiting class has several guys ranked highly, but most were projects that were not going to contribute in 2024.

The proof is in the pudding. However, when it comes to the players making the biggest impact on Miami's 2024 team? It's the players they got from the transfer portal.

If we go back through the last three recruiting classes, Miami has 13 transfers starting or playing significant minutes in 2024. Nine of those 13 players came to Miami this past offseason. When you take that and add it to the fact Miami has played one of the weakest schedules through eight games? That explains their success, but the crazy part is they should be 6-2 instead of 8-0 if not for two gifts by ACC referees.

Miami isn't winning because of high school recruiting, they just happened to do what FSU did and land several good players in the portal, particularly quarterback Cam Ward. If Cam Ward had not enrolled with Miami in the 11th hour after getting a bad NFL Draft grade, they would have been stuck with Reese Poofenbarger as their QB who transferred from Albany. I can guarantee you that had they not gotten lucky and landed Ward, they wouldn't be undefeated right now despite the weak schedule they've played.