Going to update this as a running thread. Feel free to add updates or commentary as things progress.
QB- Carson Beck - Georgia. Committed to Georgia over UM/UF out of high school. 2 year starter that came into this past season as the nation’s top QB. Had an up and down season, but GA really didn’t have much on offense, with its best players being injured running backs. Still had his moments and put up solid numbers overall. Pocket passer with quick release with high football IQ. Accurate with excellent ball placement. Slightly above average arm, not a cannon. Average mobility, not a statue. Top 6-7 returning QB in the nation with more big wins than any QB in the nation the past 2 years. Would have likely been a day 2 draft pick unless a team really decided they need a QB. Big get here for UM, but worth noting he is fresh off of elbow surgery.
WR- CJ Daniels- LSU (Previously Liberty). Good get here. If you are asking me if I prefer him or Horton, my lean is to Horton. Daniels kinda became more of a possession guy at LSU (zero TD in an above average offense??), and there’s nothing wrong with that. 6’2 possession types are needed. BUT some of my concerns about that could have been that he played through all season with a heel issue (missed one game, even Brian Kelly commented on what a warrior he was for playing through it every week)…The offseason rest will supposedly help with the heel injury big time. Either way he is much needed a good addition by staff, who loved him last year before he committed to LSU. If he gets some of the explosion back he showed at Liberty, then all the better. Daniels is in year 6 and originally from Atlanta area.
TE Alex Bauman- Tulane Good pickup, high ceiling here, and can be TE #2 UM replacing Riley Williams. Played a lot as a frosh in 22, catching the game winning pass in the Cotton Bowl upset of Caleb Williams and USC. Caught 35 balls as a sophomore. Receptions went down this past season (also missed a game) as Tulane ran at a high clip with Mensah pushing the ball deep outside a lot when they did throw. Still had 7 TD. Doesn’t grade out particularly well as a run blocker, but worth noting Tulane ran for some big numbers and he was on the field for a lot of that. Will play even more if Lofton has to log tailback time and I think he can be an adequate pass catching TE at the least. Originally from Red Bank Catholic, a very good New Jersey HS football program. 1 year of eligibility
TE- Jack Nickel- UAB (Formerly Mich St.) Incoming QB Luke Nickel older brother. Was a backup TE playing a little over 100 snaps for UAB after starting career at Mich State. 6’4 260 and more of a blocker type which we need. Will probably compete with Jackson Carver and the frosh TEs for #3 TE snaps, especially as a blocker where he graded out well in those limited snaps. Likely depth, but well worth it if it helped kept little bro in the fold. 3 years to play 3 (I believe).
C James Brockmeyer- TCU. Our latest Senior center addition and the previous two, Matt Lee (drafted) and Carpenter both worked out very well and were the leader of good offensive lines. No reasons to think Brockmeyer can’t do the same. HM All Big-12 this past season after sitting a couple seasons at Bama. This bridges the gap with our incoming future center prospect Alofaituli. Graded out better as a pass blocker than run blocker. I trust this staff with OL. 1 year off eligibility. Good get here.
DT- David Blay- Louisiana Tech. Started his career at D2 West Chester. And has moved on up the ladder very well playing a big part in a surprisingly scrappy La.Tech defense this season. I don’t know much a whole lot about this kid other than he grades out well and was was first team all-conference. Had some suitors too as UM won out over USC, UK, and a couple of others. I think he could be a solid #4 DT for us with a chance at being 3…295 and run-stuff Is his game. 1 year left. Looks like a solid pick-up on paper.
CB Charles Brantley- Michigan State. Top 6-7 CB available in portal imo. Not a superstar career, but definitely solid over 3 years starting at MSU (may have been a co-starter or top backup as a true frosh, can’t remember, but he’s played plenty of ball). Has played almost exclusively outside, and graded out well this past season. Very physical for his size. Originally from Venice, liked him in high school, and although UM was involved, I believe the offer came late, or he had others ahead of him in the pecking order (Which obviously hasn’t worked out for UM). Will contend for starting spot for sure in his senior season.
DB Emmanuel Karnley- Arizona. Originally from Cali. Thrust into action as a freshman with mixed reviews. This is a play for the future. Great size/speed combo, but to me if anything it looks like it hinders him and I could just as likely see corner as safety here. He’s still young though and there was definitely big time interest. I’m in wait and see here. 4 years to play 3. Originally form the Bay Area, Cali
CB Ethan O’Connor- Wazzu. Very good RFr. year, playing at a high level against a mid-tier Wazzu (no longer pac 12 obviously) schedule. Wazzu had absolutely no rush defense or pass rush, but the cornerbacks held their own and he was the best of the bunch. Was one of UM’s top targets at any position, let alone the top defensive need CB. 4 INT including a Pick 6 and graded out very well on PFF. Had a slew of portal offers. Ran an 11.0 his senior year in HS. Had a weird HS recruitment, was committed to UCLA for a couple months but then didn’t sign in December or February and switched to Wazzu (his uncle was a star there) in the late spring. Had several pac 12 offers and also some Big 12 out of HS. Redshirted first year before standout frosh year. Supposedly a legit 6’1 with speed. Georgia, UCLA, Oklahoma also involved here the last month. 3 years to play 3. UM has completely rebuilt the DB room.
DB Xavier Lucas- Flashed big-time in 10 games as a true frosh at Wisconsin and after much portal drama from the Badgers, he arrives at UM. Was a safety early in HS career at Deerfield Beach, and then blue up as a corner at AH his senior year. Running a 10.7 100m (I believe) at 6’2. UM slow played him as a backup plan his junior season and then made a big run to try to keep him home last November (As did FSU), but the kid stuck with Wisconsin as I believe he had an NIL deal in place and was committed to them for a few months. Excellent size/speed combo here and although I wouldn’t rule out safety, he most likely is in the mix at corner with Frederique, O’Connor, Brantley, etc…4 years to play 3.
S- Jordan Poyser- Jacksonville St. Honestly didn’t know much about him, and a little alarmed that he doesn’t even make HM all-conference (not the be all/end all, those are slanted towards pre-season hype and other BS a lot of timeS). But grades out extremely well, and am pleasantly surprised with the tape. Kid looks super athletic and versatile, now does it translate to big school football? Ranked highly among portal safeties. 3 years left to play 3, originally from Wildwood, FL.
K Carter Davis- FAU. Kickoff specialist with a good touchback rate. As far as field goals, I’m sure he will compete with Murray, but in his career it looks like he’s one of those kickers that has as good a chance as any for a 50+ yarded and that accuracy is the problem not distance. For my money, sounds like kickoffs only unless Murray flops. Borreagalas is big shoes to fill. Davis is originally from Ft. Lauderdale and has one year remaining.
