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Coral Gables, FL – The 2002 first round NFL Draft pick Mike Rumph is the cornerbacks coach for the Miami Hurricanes. He helped the Canes to a national championship in 2001 on a team that many consider to be the best of all time. Since that year, Miami has yet to earn another national championship to add to their trophy case of five. About a third of all of the players on that roster were from the tri-county area of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County alone. Including Rumph who went Atlantic High School in Delray Beach.
“Our lockeroom is full of those kids,” said Coach Rumph. “Kids can feel at home and be comfortable. It makes a big difference on how they play and how they produce in the classroom, so we try to make sure we recruit kids that are local.”
The current Miami Hurricanes have 34 students on their roster from the South Florida area. Last year, Miami won ten games for the first time since 2003 and are looking to continue that success by putting a stranglehold on an area that has traditionally produced Hurricane greats like Michael Irvin, Santana Moss, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee, Frank Gore, Sean Taylor, Lamar Miller and Duke Johnson. The Hurricanes currently hold the number eight ranking for the 2019 recruiting cycle with nine of their fifteen recruits from the tri-county. The Canes also have the number one recruiting class for 2020 with six of their eight recruits coming from the Southeast tip of USA. Saturday was the last of a series of camps that took place this June.
“When we offer a kid the country follows,” said Coach Rumph. “They know we do our homework. They know we are in South Florida in the tri-city area. We know the ins and the outs, the dos and the don’ts, so this camp is another stepping stone to really to get to know the kids and their parents to see who can fit in our locker room to help us be national champs.”
Local four and three star prospects Josh Sanguinetti, Safety, and teammate Zay Flowers, WR, from University School (Davie, FL) were in attendance at camp Saturday.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio (Powder Springs, GA) of the 2021 cycle was the only player to earn an offer from the Hurricanes during camp Saturday. Also in attendance from Georgia was four star quarterback Max Johnson (Oconee County, Watkinsville, GA) and three star tackle Jeremy James (North Forsyth, GA). Ten of the top 30 recruits for the 2019 cycle hail from Florida or Georgia according to 247 Sports.
Feeling so blessed to receive an offer from the UUUUU!!! @MiamiHurricanes @CoachJRicht05 @univmiami pic.twitter.com/Z2EGBZwHBx
— QBCarlosDelRio (@QBCarlosDelrio) June 16, 2018
“It’s great to get the kids out here on campus. Let them see what our college campus looks like. We let them know that they are always home when they come to the University of Miami. Some guys stood out and some guys benefitted from what they learned from the camp.”
Next camp for the Hurricanes is what’s called Paradise Camp set for July 15th and 16th. This camp will have many alums and former NFL players coaching the offered players as well as other top players in the country.
“Paradise Camp is a really fun environment to get some seven on seven work and coaching from our alumni. It’s special for the kids to see the tradition here at Miami because everybody always comes back and supports.”
