ACC Football Recruiting Update

We are just under two weeks from National Signing Day, and with that in mind, we take a look at the latest news and notes from around the recruiting trail.
 

Rivals 3-Star DB Malek Young Flips to the Hurricanes
 

We are beginning to see the effect that new Miami head coach Mark Richt is having on the recruiting trail at his new home in Miami. After departing from the University of Georgia last month, Richt has not taken long to make an impact on a new crop of talent, as he successfully flipped 3-star athlete Malek Young to the Hurricanes earlier this week.

Young, a 5’9″ speedster out of Coconut Creek, Florida, was originally committed to Georgia, but reconsidered when Richt left the school. He is projected as a defensive back at the next level, but has played both sides of the ball in high school. As a senior this past season, Young scored 13 total touchdowns on the offensive side of the football as a running back, slot receiver, and in some cases, as a return specialist. With the capability of impacting all three phases of the game, the official signing of Young in two weeks could be a coup for the Hurricanes.
 

3-Star WR Sean Riley Heading to Syracuse
 

Speaking of new coaches and speedy impact players, new Syracuse head coach Dino Babers must be thrilled with the commitment of California native Sean Riley, who flipped his pledge from the University of Arizona to the Orange earlier this week.

The 5’9″ 165 lb. former Wildcat commit out of Narbonne High School in Harbor City California, flipped his commitment due largely to the influence of his offensive coordinator’s relationship with Dino Babers. Former NFL tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, who has coached Riley over the last couple of seasons at Narbonne, is a former player of Babers’ when he coached at the University of Arizona. Babers and Manumaleuna arranged a meeting in which Babers was able to successfully sell Riley on attending Syracuse in playing in his new spread offense.

Riley has done a majority of his damage throughout high school by way of his play as a slot receiver, running back, and return specialist. His speed and elusiveness have been two traits that have been raved about by his high school coaches and the numerous scouting reports alike.
 

Louisville Picks Up First Commitment of 2017 Class
 

Much of our attention over the next couple of weeks will be turned towards the 2016 class, and rightfully so with National Signing Day right around the corner. However, with the 2017 class beginning to take shape for many teams around the country, it is only fitting that we cover the first recruit of Louisville’s next class of prospects, 3-star offensive tackle Justin Shaffer from Ellenwood, Georgia.

Shaffer, a 6’5″ 330 lb. athletic force at tackle, will undoubtedly provide line support for an ever-evolving offense in a couple seasons when quarterback Lamar Jackson becomes a little bit more seasoned. Shaffer has told many close to him that his verbal commitment to the Cardinals is solid, citing the potential for early playing time and the academics at the university as key reasons for his early decision.
 

4-Star TE Thaddeus Moss Visits NC State as His Decision Looms
 

4-Star tight end Thaddeus Moss out of Charlotte, North Carolina, the son of former NFL star Randy Moss, is taking his official visit NC State on Friday, which is expected to be his final trip before National Signing Day in a couple of weeks. Moss is a bit bigger than his dad, checking in at 6’3″ 240 lbs., and he has drawn comparisons to NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski, which is quite the lofty expectation indeed.

In addition to NC State, Moss has received considerable interest from Georgia, UCLA, and Texas A&M, who is considered to be the favorite heading into National Signing Day. With this one last visit prior to his decision on February 3rd, coach Dave Doeren and the rest of the Wolfpack coaching staff are hoping to make a final push to sway Moss towards staying in his home state and playing in the ACC.
 

Notre Dame Coaching Staff Pays Home Visit to 5-Star Athlete Demetris Robertson
 

5-Star athlete and number eight overall recruit in the country Demetris Robertson (Savannah Christian School, Savannah, Ga) was paid a in-home visit by Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly and several members of his coaching staff earlier this week. At 6’0″ 180 lbs., Robertson thrives on elusiveness and the ability to pick up yards after the catch, which are traits that have helped him draw comparisons to departed school record-holder Will Fuller, who announced his intent to leave early for the NFL after the Fiesta Bowl earlier this month.

The Irish are considered the favorite at this time to land Robertson’s services, and he would be a key cog in creating perhaps one of the most impressive recruiting classes in Notre Dame history, should he choose the school on National Signing Day. Robertson has received offers from seemingly every school under the sun, but top competitors to Notre Dame are Georgia and defending national champion, Alabama.

 
 

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