Despite supplanting Miami Northwestern High as the dominant football power in Miami-Dade County the past two years, 2010's 6A state champ Miami Central was getting no love from the University of Miami football program. Last year, the Hurricanes passed on Jeffrey Godfrey, the former Rockets QB who beat every record set by Jacory Harris. As the freshman quarterback for the University of Central Florida, Godfrey guided the Knights to a Conference USA championship and a Liberty Bowl win over Georgia.
This year, the Canes let Jimbo Fisher and Florida State snatch up Central's beast running back Devonta Freeman. But Miami's new head coach Al Golden deserves props for swooping up a Rocket player from the clutches of Steve Spurrier.
Miami Herald Canes beat writer Manny Navarro reports that Central cornerback Thomas Finnie backed out of his commitment to attend the University of South Carolina so he can represent the U. According to Navarro, Finnie was set to drive up to South Kakalaki this weekend until he met with Golden, who closed the deal. "Everybody likes to dream about UM and everything," Finnie told the Herald. "Now, it's real."
Landing Finnie gives the Canes depth at defensive back, which will help the team offset the loss of junior CB Brandon Harris, who is going pro. But more importantly, Golden is showing he can and will recruit kids from Miami's inner city schools with success.
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