Miami football closed its 2018 recruiting class on a high note. Which 2018 signees could become instant starters for the Hurricanes?
Mark Richt worked some magic with the 2017 Miami Hurricanes, turning the program around into a 10-game winner. Things are looking up under the new head coach as he returns talent at just about every position and the expectations heading into 2018 are at an all-time high.
Moreover, Richt’s 2018 recruiting class was special, ranking eighth in the country and second in the ACC. The Hurricanes filled just about every need in the class and have some incoming freshmen who could vie for starting time right away.
Which five 2018 class signees could start for right away for Miami?
Gregory Rousseau is one of just two defensive end commits in Miami’s 2018 class and he’s the only one who’s enrolled early. He’s one of 10 early enrollees in the class for the Hurricanes and he could see time at that defensive end spot with Chad Thomas and Trent Harris graduating.
That’s a lot of production leaving with this senior class and the Hurricanes have guys like Joseph Jackson and Jonathan Garvin who could fill the open spots on the ends.
However, Rousseau, a three-star recruit from Hialeah, Fla., is already on campus and making an impression on the coaching staff. Being the only early enrollee defensive end will have its advantages as the staff will have already seen what he can bring to the table and judge him as a potential starter when the fall rolls around.
Rousseau is ranked the No. 486 recruit in the class and 27th-best weak-side defensive end, according to 247Sports. He has a strong, lean frame at 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds, but you can bet he will put on some weight this semester.