Miami Flips In-State 4-Star OT Kai-Leon Herbert away from Michigan
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Hurricanes helped build that proverbial recruiting fence around south Florida on Wednesday picking up a commitment from offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert.
Herbert is another in a long list of Miami area talents highly prized by college coaches across the country. He played his way into being a four-star recruit with American Heritage helping the Patriots capture a 5A state title in 2016 with a 35-33 win over Ponte Vedra.
The Patriots were a slight run-heavy team rolling to over 2,800 yards with the passing game adding 1,800 yards with Hebert helping anchor the line. The 6-5, 284 pound, tackle had over 20 scholarship offers extended committing to Michigan on July 6. Teams kept recruiting Hebert with unofficial visits taken during the season to Florida and Miami. Michigan hosted their verbal commit on Oct. 22 followed by Auburn on Jan. 13.
Miami’s staff did not let up with a coaches’ visit on Jan. 16 preceding an official to the Canes on Jan. 20. Canes’ fans were delighted with a Twitter post from Hebert reading, “Blessed beyond measure to announce that I HAVE OFFICIALLY COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI!! God got us from here on out.” The tweet was accompanied with a statement:
247Sports rates Miami’s 2017 class No. 13 in the nation, No. 2 in the ACC overall. Of the 21 verbal commits, 10 are already enrolled at Miami. Rivals ranks the same group at No. 10 with seven four-star players and 13 three-star prospects.
Miami Hurricanes 2017 Verbal Commitment List (21)
CB Trajan Bandy, 5-9.5, 180, Columbus HS, Miami, FL
SS Amari Carter, 6-2, 188, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens, FL*
LB Bradley Jennings Jr., 6-2, 218, Sandalwood HS, Jacksonville, FL*
LB Waynmon Steed, 6-0, 200, Central HS, Miami, FL*
LB De’Andre Wilder, 6-2, 204, Miami Carol City, Opa Locka, FL
DE Jonathan Garvin, 6-3.5, 222, Lake Worth HS, Lake Worth, FL*
DE D.J. Johnson, 6-5, 240, Luther Burbank HS, Sacramento, CA
DT Jonathan Ford, 6-5, 275, Dillard HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
OC Corey Gaynor, 6-4, 282, Marjory Stoneman HS, Pompano Beach, FL
OT Zach Dykstra, 6-6, 290, Spirit Lake HS, Spirit Lake, IA*
OT Navaughn Donaldson, 6-6, 335, Central HS, Miami, FL*
OT Kai-Leon Herbert, 6-5, 284, American Heritage, Fort Lauderdale, FL
OT Zalontae Hillery, 6-6, 280, Glynn Academy, Brunswick, GA
TE Brian Polendey, 6-5, 230, Guyer HS, Denton, TX*
RB Robert Burns, 5-11, 214, Gulliver Prep, Miami, FL*
QB K’Kosi Perry, 6-3.5, 176, Vanguard HS, Ocala, FL
QB Cade Weldon, 6-2.5, 203, Jefferson HS, Tampa, FL*
WR Evidence Njoku, 6-4, 198, Wayne Hills HS, Wayne Hills, NJ
WR Derrick Smith, 6-3, 190, Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL
ATH Deejay Dallas, 5-10.5, 191, Glynn Academy, Brunswick, GA*
P Zach Feagles, 6-2, 210, Ridgewood HS, Glen Rock, NJ
*Enrolled
Photo credit: Opelika-Auburn News; Kai-Leon Hebert.