Miami Football has officially become Portal U
Miami football has become Portal U. The Canes have landed six transfers this offseason and they might not be done quite yet.
There has been no man more well-versed in navigating the ever-changing world of the Transfer Portal than newly minted Miami football head coach Manny Diaz. After getting a late start following his rehiring after Mark Richt‘s sudden disappearance, Diaz has nearly milked the Portal dry himself.
The Hurricanes most recently picked up a commitment from defensive end Jalen Phillips, a former UCLA player who had been ranked the No. 1 prospect in the nation in 2017. He’s a big name, but he’s just one of SIX different players transferring to Coral Gables this offseason.
Joining Phillips will be offensive lineman Tommy Kennedy (Butler), running back Asa Martin (Auburn), safety Bubba Bolden (USC), wide receiver KJ Osborn (Buffalo) and former 5-star quarterback Tate Martell (Ohio State). These are just guys, they’re potential difference makers who could combine to push Miami over the top in the ACC Atlantic division this year and in the years to come.
Phillips, most likely along with Bolden and Martell, will have to sit out the 2019 season. Even that’s not a foregone conclusion though, as Martell has hired himself a lawyer and has his eyes on obtaining eligibility immediately rather than sitting out a season. There’s still time for that situation to play out, but regardless of when he’s eligibility, Miami has found some potential stars.
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Clemson might rule one side of the ACC, but the other is up for grabs. There’s a reason the Atlantic has been a revolving door. If Diaz plays his cards right, he’ll second-fiddle to only the emerging Dynasty at Clemson. That’s a positive first step for a program which has been trending in the wrong direction since the tail end of the 2017 season. How? They’re crushing the Portal.