New Miami Hurricanes coach Al Golden isn't having much luck in retaining star recruits who had verbally committed to the team under former coach Randy Shannon. Albert Louis-Jean, rated by some recruiting services as the best recruit in the state of Massachusetts and the 9th best corner back in the class, has doubled back on his verbal commitment and decided to play with ACC-rivals Boston College.
Louis-Jean committed to the 'Canes last March, but apparently had a change of heart. He'll instead enroll at BC in January, and play for the Eagles. That team went 7-5 this year, with all five losses coming in a row between games three and seven of the season.
This comes after former 'Canes commit and highly touted local high school quarterback Teddy Bridgewater made a surprising jump from committing to the 'Canes to deciding to attend Louisville. It's not that the Eagles and Cardinals aren't teams with potential, but it stings a bit that recruits are jumping ship left and right for teams that aren't exactly top-level.
Signing day is on February 2, a bit more than a month away, and Golden only has six commits with nine or ten available spots left empty. One of those commits, Tampa-area DE Anthony Chickillo, is reportedly still taking visits at other schools. Phillip Dorsett, a four-star wide receiver out of St. Thomas Aquinas, remains the team's most valuable recruit so far and his commitment seems firm.
Due to limited roster space, Golden only has so much room to work with and bringing in a new coach, especially under these conditions, doesn't usually make for recruiting magic. Though, hopefully Golden will be able to scrabble together a quality class and prove himself on the field next season.
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