The University of Miami is looking to build upon a solid start to the Mark Richt era in 2016.
After a 4-0 start, Miami reeled for a bit after a close loss at the hands of rival Florida State to led to a four-game losing streak.
But, the Hurricanes won their final four games and put on their best defensive performance of the season against West Virginia in a Russell Athletic Bowl win in Orlando to close out the season at 9-4.
The Canes lose quarterback Brad Kaaya, who set all sorts of records at UM this past season, and had four touchdowns in the bowl game before declaring for the NFL Draft.
But, Miami has a solid defensive corps returning as they hope to reach the ACC title game for the first time since joining the league in 2004, and defense is a big part of the upcoming class.
Here's a look at the Hurricanes' 2017 recruiting class, as they stayed close to home in south Florida for nearly half of their signees. The class is ranked 13th by 247 Sports, and second in the ACC, behind only Florida State (information courtesy of the University of Miami Athletic Communications Department):
WEDNESDAY'S SIGNEES:
Trajan Bandy (Miami, Fla.) – Defensive Back – Columbus High School
Consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout…Rated as the 30th –best cornerback by 247Sports…Earned a No. 33 ranking in the state of Florida by 247Sports… Rated as the 267th prospect nationwide on ESPN300…Participated in The Opening in 2016…Earned a Top 300 PrepStar All-America ranking…Named First Team All-Dade by the Miami Herald…Totaled a pair of returns for touchdowns as a senior…Coached by Chris Merritt at Columbus High School…Chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Oklahoma and Colorado.
Jhavonte Dean (Homestead, Fla.) – Defensive Back – Blinn College – South Dade High School
Consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout…Ranked No. 12 in the 247Sports composite rankings…Rated as the second-best cornerback by 247Sports…Listed as the nation’s No. 1 junior college cornerback…Played two seasons for Keith Thomas at Blinn College…Played for Nathaniel Hudson at South Dade High School…Comes to Miami with three years to play two seasons…Chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Cincinnati and Kentucky.
Zach Feagles (Glen Rock, N.J.) – Punter – Ridgewood High School
Earned a three-star rating from ESPN and Scout…Listed as a two-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals…Participated in the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game…Rated No. 7 among punters nationally by Kohl’s Kicking…Averaged 36.1 yards per punt during his high school career…Dropped seven punts inside the 20-yard-line as a senior…His longest punt of 57 yards came during his junior season…Chose Miami over offers from Rutgers and North Carolina…Son of 22-year NFL veteran and Miami alum Jeff Feagles.
Jonathan Ford (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – Defensive Line – Dillard High School
Consensus three-star defensive line prospect by from 247Sports, Scout and ESPN…Rated as the 27th-best defensive tackle by 247Sports…Ranked as the 52nd- best prospect in the state of Florida according to 247Sports…Selected Sun-Sentinel First Team All-County…Coached by Lorenzo Davis at Dillard High School…Chose Miami over offers from Kentucky, Tennessee, USC, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma and West Virginia.
Corey Gaynor (Parkland, Fla.) – Offensive Line – Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Listed as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Scout and ESPN…Rated as the 20th-ranked offensive guard out of the South according to Scout… Named Miami Herald First Team All-Broward…Selected Sun-Sentinel First Team All-County…Recorded 97 pancake blocks as a senior…Versatile offensive lineman, who has seen action at center and guard…Coached by Willis May at Marjory Stoneman Douglass…Chose Miami over offers from Arizona, Houston, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, UCF and West Virginia.
Mike Harley (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – Wide Receiver – St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Consensus four-star wide receiver prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout…Took part in the U.S. Army All-American Game…Ranked as the 24th-best player in the state of Florida according to Rivals…Ranked as the 40th–best player in the state of Florida by 247Sports…Named Miami Herald First Team All-Broward…Selected Sun-Sentinel First Team All-County…Helped guide St. Thomas Aquinas to a 12-2 record and the 7A Florida State High School Championship during his senior season…Caught three touchdown passes in the state championship game…Coached by Roger Harriott at St. Thomas Aquinas…Chose Miami over offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Kai-Leon Herbert (Plantation, Fla.) – Offensive Line – American Heritage School
Consensus four-star offensive line prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout…Rated as the 28th–best offensive tackle in the class of 2017 by 247Sports…Ranked No. 99 regardless of position on the ESPN300 rankings…Participated in The Opening in 2016… Selected to 2017 Under Armour All-America Game…Earned a Top 300 PrepStar All-America ranking…Named Miami Herald First Team All-Broward… Selected First Team Sun-Sentinel All-County…Helped anchor an offensive line that posted over 4,700 total yards…Spent his senior season playing for former Miami Dolphin Patrick Surtain at American Heritage High School…Played three seasons for cornerbacks UM coach Mike Rumph at American Heritage High School…Chose Miami over offers Michigan, Auburn, Florida, California, Colorado, Georgia and LSU.
Zalon’tae Hillery (Brunswick, Ga.) – Offensive Line – Glynn Academy
Earned a three-star ranking from 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Rated as the 49th-best player at his position by ESPN…Ranked as the 50th–best player in the state of Georgia by 247Sports…Coached by Rocky Hidalgo at Gylnn Academy…Helped guide Glynn Academy to an 11-2 record during his senior season…Chose Miami over offers from Florida, Kentucky, Alabama and Clemson.
D.J. Johnson (Sacramento Calif.) – Defensive Line – Luther Burbank High School
Consensus four-star defensive lineman by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout…Rated as the 72nd–best prospect in the country according to 247Sports…Selected as the ninth-best player in the state of California by 247Sports…Ranked No. 62 in the final ESPN300 rankings…Rated as the No. 5 position prospect by ESPN…Ranked No. 34 on the PrepStar Top 150 Dream Team…Totaled 85 tackles (47 solo), 14.5 sacks and 31 tackles for loss during his senior season…Took part in the 2017 Under Armour All-America Bowl…Coached by John Heffernan at Luther Burbank High School…Had offers from 100 schools...Chose Miami over Washington, USC, Ohio State and Alabama.
Evidence Njoku (Cedar Grove, N.J.) – Wide Receiver – Wayne Hills High School
Consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...One of the top recruits in the state of New Jersey, ranking No. 10 according to ESPN...Spent three season at Cedar Grove High School before transferring to Wayne Hills as a senior...Caught 18 pass for 306 yards and five touchdowns as a junior at Cedar Grove...Also excelled on kickoff returns Cedar Grove as he accumulated 350 yards and four additional touchdowns during his junior season... Finished his senior season with over 400 yards receiving and eight touchdowns...Coached by Wayne Demikoff at Wayne Hills...Young brother of former Hurricane wide receiver David Njoku...Chose Miami over offers from Boston College, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Oregon and Penn State among others.
N'Kosi Perry (Ocala, Fla.) – Quarterback – Vanguard High School
Widely regarded as one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation…Consensus four-star quarterback by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout…Rated as the sixth-best quarterback at his position according to 247Sports…Comes to Miami ranked No. 29 in the state of Florida by 247Sports…Ranked No. 84 in the final ESPN300 rankings…Earned a Top 300 PrepStar All-America ranking…Received FHSAA 6A Player of the Year honors...Helped guide Vanguard to an impressive 10-2 overall record during his senior season…Totaled 24 touchdowns and completed 64 percent of his passes during his senior season…Scored 43 total touchdowns with 11 coming on the ground during his junior season…Threw for over 2,000 yards during his junior campaign…Coached by Edwin Farmer at Vanguard High School…Chose Miami over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida State and West Virginia.
Derrick Smith (Jacksonville, Fla.) – Defensive Back – Trinity Christian Academy
Consensus three-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout…Listed as the 76th-best prospect at his position by ESPN…Listed as the 124th-best recruit in the state of Florida by 247Sports…Helped guide Trinity Christian Academy to an 11-3 record…Coached by Verlon Dorminey at Trinity Christian Academy…Chose Miami over offers from USC, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Kentucky and Cincinnati.
Jeff Thomas (East St. Louis, Ill.) – Wide Receiver – East St. Louis
Consensus four-star wide receiver prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Rated as the No. 1 player in the state of Illinois…Listed as the sixth-rated wide receiver and the No. 2 player in the state of Illinois by 247Sports…Ranked No. 55 in the final ESPN300 rankings… Took part in The Opening in 2016…Starred in the 2017 Under Armour All-America Game and posted game records of 148 yards receiving and two touchdowns…Selected to the Top 150 PrepStar All-America Dream Team…Was a three-year starter in high school…Finished his career with 177 receptions for 3,532 yards and 41 touchdowns…Helped guide East Saint Louis High School to a perfect 14-0 season and its first Illinois State Championship in eight years…Hauled in a pair of touchdowns in the state championship…Caught 50 passes for 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior…Coached by Darren Sunkett at East Saint Louis High School…Chose Miami over offers from Louisville, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan and Alabama among others.
De'Andre Wilder (Opa Locka, Fla.) – Linebacker – Miami Carol City Senior High School
Earned a four-star ranking by ESPN…Listed as the 22nd–best prospect at his position by ESPN…Ranked as the 51st–best player in the state of Florida by ESPN…Rated as four star prospect by Rivals…Listed as the 26th-best linebacker and 40th-best prospect in the state by Rivals…Earned a three-star rating from 247Sports…Named Miami Herald Second Team All-Dade…Helped guide Carol City to the 6A Florida State High School Championship…Coached by Aubrey Hill at Carol City…Choose Miami over offers from Georgia, USF, Florida, LSU, Louisville and Alabama.
EARLY ENROLLEES:
Robert Burns (Miami, Fla.) – Running Back – Gulliver Preparatory School
Four-star running back prospect by ESPN... Three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout...Selected to 2017 Under Armour All-America Game... Rated No. 67 prospect nationwide regardless of position on ESPN300...Ranked No. 7 running back nationwide by ESPN...Rated No. 25 running back nationwide in 247Sports’ Composite Rankings...Rushed for over 1,200 yards in high school career with 15 rushing touchdowns...Had 265 yards junior year...Totaled 900 yards with 13 touchdowns in first two varsity seasons...Coached by Earl Sims at Gulliver Prep...Chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Ohio State, among others.
Amari Carter (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) – Safety – Palm Beach Gardens High School
Four-star safety prospect by ESPN...Three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout...Ranked No. 238 player nationwide regardless of position in ESPN300...Ranked No.5 on Palm Beach Big Board and Super 11 pick by Palm Beach Post...Had 60 tackles and three interceptions during junior year at Palm Beach Gardens...Coached by Rob Freeman at Palm Beach Gardens...Chose Miami over offers from Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Michigan and Notre Dame, among others.
DeeJay Dallas (Brunswick, Ga.) – Athlete – Glynn Academy
Consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Played quarterback, receiver, running back and defensive back at Glynn Academy...Also returned punts and kicks...Ranked No. 15 athlete nationwide by Rivals and No. 190 overall prospect regardless of position...Rated No. 230 prospect nationwide on ESPN300...Earned No. 259 ranking on 247Sports’ Composite Rankings...Rushed for 1,139 yards and 13 touchdowns during junior year at Glynn...Added 678 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns...Led Terrors to 11-2 record in final year...Rushed for 168 yards to go along with 135 passing yards in final game of high school career in state quarterfinals ...Chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Georgia, among others.
Navaughn Donaldson (Miami, Fla.) – Offensive Lineman - Miami Central High School
Consensus four-star offensive line prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Selected to 2017 Under Armour All-America Game...Ranked No. 8 offensive tackle nationwide and No. 44 prospect regardless of position by Rivals...Rated 87 prospect nationwide on ESPN300...Ranked fifth-best player at position by ESPN...Rated No. 69 player nationwide on 247Sports Composite Rankings and No. 68 in Top247 rankings...Preseason All-America by USA TODAY entering senior season at Miami Central...Won state championship junior year with Rockets...High school teammate of fellow early enrollee Waynmon Steed...Coached by Roland Smith at Central...Chose Miami over offers from Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Louisville, among others.
Zach Dykstra (Spirit Lake, Iowa) – Offensive Line – Spirit Lake High School
Consensus three-star offensive line prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Ranked top-50 offensive tackle nationwide by ESPN...Ranked No. 5 player in state of Iowa by ESPN...Rated No. 7 player in state by Rivals...Chose Miami over offers from Iowa, Iowa State and Vanderbilt, among others.
Jonathan Garvin (Lake Worth, Fla.) – Defensive Line – Lake Worth Community High School
Four-star defensive end prospect by ESPN...Three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout...Ranked No. 279 player regardless of position on ESPN300 rankings...Ranked No. 22 defensive end by ESPN and No. 33 by Scout...Dominated in final year at Lake Worth, finishing with 97 tackles, 59 tackles for loss and school-record 18 sacks...Totaled 93 tackles, including 36 tackles for loss and nine sacks in junior year at Lake Worth...Added six forced fumbles and one interception for Trojans in 2015...Coached by Micah Mays at Lake Worth...Chose Miami over offers from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee, among others.
Bradley Jennings Jr. (Jacksonville, Fla.) – Linebacker – Sandalwood High School
Consensus three-star linebacker prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Ranked No. 36 outside linebacker nationwide by Rivals...Had 146 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in junior season at Sandalwood...Added three forced fumbles and two sacks for Saints in 2015...Selected to 2015 Florida Times-Union All-First Coast Second Team...Coached by Adam Geis at Sandalwood...Chose Miami over offers from Florida State, Louisville, Michigan and North Carolina, among others.
Brian Polendey (Denton, Texas) – Tight End – Guyer
Consensus three-star tight end prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Ranked No. 11 tight end nationwide by ESPN...Ranked No. 20 tight end in 247Sports’ Composite Rankings...Rated No. 24 tight end by Rivals and No. 25 tight end by Scout...Born in Eugene, Ore., and grew up in state of Washington...Finished junior year with nine receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns...Coached by John Walsh at Guyer...Chose Miami over offers from Arkansas, Colorado, Houston and Michigan, among others.
Waynmon Steed (Miami, Fla.) – Linebacker - Miami Central High School
Consensus-three-star linebacker prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Ranked No. 19 inside linebacker nationwide by Rivals...Rated No. 22 inside linebacker by 247Sports... Suffered torn ACL during senior year... Missed junior season with shoulder injury...Finished sophomore season at Central with 83 tackles, leading team to state championship...High school teammate of fellow early enrollee Navaughn Donaldson at Miami Central...Coached by Roland Smith at Central...Chose Miami over offers from Colorado, LSU and NC State, among others.
Cade Weldon (Tampa, Fla.) – Pro-style Quarterback – Thomas Jefferson High School
Consensus three-star pro-style quarterback prospect by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals and Scout...Ranked No. 19 pro-style quarterback nationwide by Rivals...Rated No. 23 pro-style quarterback by ESPN...Totaled 3,135 passing yards and 19 touchdowns in senior year...Completed 61 percent of passes in final campaign and rushed for 368 yards and one touchdown...Missed junior year due to knee injury...Threw for over 2,100 yards with 20 touchdowns in sophomore year at Jefferson...Father Casey was 1991 Heisman Trophy runner-up under then-Florida State offensive coordinator Mark Richt...Chose Miami over offers from Kentucky, South Carolina and Wake Forest, among others.