Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal flexes through the spring sport for the University of Miami at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
The Miami Hurricanes’ signature offseason recruiting occasion, now known as Legends Camp, seemed very very similar to previous incarnations of this annual affair.
There was an extended record of superb highschool prospects, together with a dozen Class of 2023 gamers on official visits.
There was the standard star-studded record of distinguished UM alums, together with Michael Irvin, Jeremy Shockey, Bryant McKinnie, Greg Rousseau, Jalean Phillips, Jon Beason, Reggie Wayne, Lamar Thomas, Bennie Blades, Antrel Rolle, Duke Johnson, Brett Romberg and others.
But Mario Cristobal needed to make one factor very clear about an occasion that had been known as Paradise Camp till his hiring in December.
“This is Legends Camp because it’s not the time for paradise yet,” Cristobal instructed the recruits in attendance inside UM’s indoor facility on Saturday.
“It’s time to go to work. It’s an instructional camp. These guys sweat and work. We’re going to work and we’re going to get better. This is not a fluff camp. There is only one Miami. Hall of Famers, first round picks, they’re all here. They live Miami.”
One of these Hall of Famers, Jason Taylor – an Akron alum – supplied instruction to recruits in his position as a UM defensive analyst.
Another of these Hall of Famers, former Hurricanes and Dallas Cowboys star receiver Michael Irvin, started the proceedings with one in all his patented uber-intense, rousing and animated speeches.
“It’s so great to have coach Cristobal lead this place,” Irvin stated. “There’s nothing like winning championships here. It’s in your hands now. In this building, it’s not just about skill. It’s about your will.
“We didn’t have Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat [in the 1980s and 1990s]. All we did was grind. Who’s going to make the commitment to one day come back and wear these black [legends] shirts?”
Attendees emerged impressed after two hours of intense drills, carried out at a excessive tempo and with the precision that was evident throughout UM’s spring practices this yr.
Cristobal “has to be doing something right. He has changed everything around; I love him. My family loves him,” four-star broad receiver Robby Washington, one of many two highest-rated of UM’s seven nonbinding 2023 commitments, stated afterward.
“I talked to Reggie Wayne and Roscoe Parrish today. They said to stay focused, keep working and stay home. It’s a great atmosphere. [Everyone] talked about how we get to the next level.”
Washington, by the way, stated he’s lobbying a number of uncommitted 2023 recruits to hitch UM, together with four-star California based mostly quarterback Jaden Rashada, who visited UM this previous week and plans on Sunday to announce his selection amongst Miami and 6 different finalists.
Former UM stars additionally emerged inspired with this system’s route. In a gathering, Cristobal inspired the previous gamers to spend time across the crew.
“I like how he’s running the program,” McKinnie stated. “It’s competitive. He welcomed us back. He said he needs us to be here and be more supportive. We want our program to be good. We’re willing to come out here and put in the time, offer advice or whatever is needed.”
Phillips, now with the Dolphins, stated: “You can definitely tell with Mario there’s a high standard he’s setting for everybody, which is awesome to see. You can see the passion and energy he has for the school; it radiates from him.”
Former UM coach Don Soldinger stated Cristobal’s first six months have been “outstanding. You can’t even compare the other [previous] staffs to this staff. There’s no comparison. Just organization and the quality of coaches he brought in. Brings [Alonzo Highsmith back in a key front office role]. I don’t know if he can get back what we had but he’s certainly trying to give the kids an idea of what it was like to win [big].”
Cristobal stated Saturday’s Legends Camp “reaffirms that the University of Miami is on the right track.”
Attending this occasion for the primary time as UM’s coach was notably significant to him.
“You can’t describe it,” Cristobal stated. “It’s exactly what we felt Miami should be doing and progressing at a certain rate to get where we want to go. We all know what Miami is. Let’s not kid ourselves. We just have to get back to work to get where we want to get to, and people realize that. There’s no fluff. Look who we hired, the investment in the university, the work our players are doing right now. .
“That’s why I’m here. You know I live for the University of Miami. Having the legends back and all these guys, had a good meeting upstairs to make sure we bring this in tight. It means the world to us.”
Meanwhile, your complete 2022 freshman class is enrolled and camp will start in early August.
“This is month seven; there is work to be done,” Crisotbal stated. “We feel the gap is closing, that once people step foot [on campus], they realize how special the University of Miami is.
“A lot of [UM alums in attendance on Saturday] are the best guys in college football, pro football. It’s very real. … That alumni bond, that brotherhood that’s there for the world to see, is real. The alumni are always going to be a huge part.”
UM NEWS NOTE
Former Canes basketball participant Kameron McGusty will be part of former UM teammate Charlie Moore with the Detroit Pistons throughout NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas. Both went undrafted on Thursday after serving to lead Miami to the Elite Eight on this yr’s NCAA Tournament.