Storm Tracker Podcast

Marcus Benjamin is joined by Larry Blustein, long-time South Florida reporter, to discuss Miami Hurricanes spring football.

First, we discuss Miami's newest member of the 2025 class Girard Pringle (1:25).

Next, we discuss the running back room with Henry Parrish's recent departure to the transfer portal (3:35).

We then discuss freshman standout JoJo Trader and his potential impact in year one (10:09) and share our thoughts on Elija Lofton and the offensive threat he can pose in his freshman campaign (14:45).

Safety Jaden Harris is another player emerging this spring. We discuss whether he will come close to filling the shoes of departing safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams (18:42).

Lastly, we discuss quarterback Cam Ward and the impact he can make in 2024 (21:59) and briefly discuss what positions groups Miami may target when the transfer portal officially re-opens in April (27:50).

Marcus Benjamin and Frank Tucker connect for weekly podcast - At the Crib.

First, we discuss the potential of the passing game with new quarterback Cam Ward (1:58). We also discuss the depth of the offensive position groups (11:30).

We talk about which defenders will continue to flash this spring (15:05) and share which players we want to see flash the most (22:43).

Next, we discuss which players may enter the portal after spring ball (28:51).

Lastly, we discuss top performers from the UA Camp in Miami (34:54).

Marcus Benjamin and Frank Tucker connect for weekly podcast - At the Crib.

First, we discuss which position battles on offense to watch during spring football (1:02) and on defense (5:52). We also provide our best guesses as to who will start at the defensive tackle position (10:34) (18:02).

We discuss which recruiting prospects will earn MVP honors at the Under Armour Camp Series, which will take place in Miami on Sunday.

We start with the quarterback position - Miami target Dia Bell mentioned (15:40). We discuss running backs - Miami targets Javian Mallory and Deandre Desinor mentioned (19:19).

Also discussed is a loaded wide receiver group - Miami commit Waden Charles, and Miami targets Cortez Mills, Naeshaun Montgomery, Joshua Moore, Jayvan Boggs, and Winston Watkins mentioned (22:02).

We move on to the defensive backs - Miami targets Chris Ewald and Bryce Fitzgerald mentioned.

We ran down the players mentioned that have mutual interest with Miami, and Frank provided some intel on the recruitment of Ewald (29:56).

Frank breaks down the best offensive linemen - (34:18), and we talk defensive linemen - Miami target Randy Adirka, Demetrius Geathers, and Donte Simpson Jr. mentioned.

Lastly, we talk about linebackers who should be in contention for the MVP awards, as Ezekiel Marcelin and Dylan Gill mentioned.

Marcus Benjamin is joined by Larry Blustein, long-time South Florida reporter, to discuss Miami Hurricanes spring football.

We start by sharing our thoughts on the hire of cornerbacks coach Chevis Jackson and the challenges he faces (3:38).

We talk some spring football and provide our takes on which players we are most excited to see develop (8:36).

Next, we discuss position battles at wide receiver and tight end (11:26) as well as the offensive line (14:04). We also discuss the defensive battles during spring football (15:52).

Also discussed are the 2024 class members on offense that could turn heads in spring (21:39).

Blustein shares his thoughts on the Orange Bowl Showcase held over the weekend (23:27), and lastly, we discuss some must-get recruits for the 2025 cycle (31:47).

Marcus Benjamin and Frank Tucker connect for weekly podcast - At the Crib.

First, we discuss Miami defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae leaving the program to take the cornerbacks' coach job with the Buffalo Bills (1:27) and what it means for Miami recruiting (6:51).

We discuss the options to replace Addae and which coaches make the most sense (10:04).

Next, we discuss the departure of Miami general manager Alonzo Highshmith to the New England Patriots (14:45) and the potential addition of Matt Merritt to take over the running backs coaching position (18:31).

We also discuss Miami finishing with a top-5 2024 class and predict which 2024 freshman will have a similar impact that Rueben Bain, Mark Fletcher, and Francis Mauigoa had in 2023 (22:28).

Lastly, we discuss the 2025 class (29:57) and whether the Miami staff can duplicate the success of the 2024 class (31:15) and out-recruit its rivals (39:37).

Marcus Benjamin and Frank Tucker connect for weekly podcast - At the Crib.

First, we discuss the performance of Miami quarterback commit Luke Nickel at seven-on-seven tournament Battle Miami (1:19) and if Miami will keep the 2025 four-star prospect in its class (5:38).

We also discuss other standout players from the Battle Miami - Dallas Wilson, Cortez Mills, Waden Charles, Naeshaun Montgomery, CJ Wiley, Vernell Brown, and Keshawn Henderson mentioned (9:14).

Miami made some headway with plenty of players that visited Miami for Elite Prospect Day - Lamar Williams, Jaime Ffrench, DJ Pickett, and Onis Konanbanny mentioned (15:40).

Next, we discuss which 2024 signees are bound to make some noise in spring football (21:33) and transfers that could turn heads (24:39).

Lastly, we discuss which players were questionable takes from Miami via the transfer portal (27:12) and if Miami should return to the portal for a cornerback (34:19).

Marcus Benjamin and Frank Tucker connect for weekly podcast - At the Crib.

First, we discuss options for Miami to replace Tim Harris Jr. for the running backs coach position - high school head coach at Chaminad-Madonna Dameon Jones, American Heritage Plantation Coach Mike Smith, Ja'Juan Seider, Chris Perkins, Telly Lockette, Ryan Williams, Cadillac Williams, and Marquel Blackwell mentioned (1:42).

We discussed the out-of-town players visiting Miami this weekend, who the staff needs to impress - Vernell Brown, Zayden Walker, DJ Pickett, and Ziyare Addison mentioned (10:07).

We also discuss the local talents that are must-get for the 2025 class - Cortez Mills, Naeshan Montgomery, Koby Howard, Ezekiel Marcelin, Randy Adirika, and others mentioned (15:28).

Next, we discuss if Miami will get a commitment next week (23:46) and share who we think will flash during the Battle Miami seven-on-seven tournament (29:12).

Marcus Benjamin and Greg Smith, Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com, discuss the Miami signees that rose in the final Rivals 2024 Rankings.

First, we discuss Marquise Lightfoot's ascension up the rankings to a five-star prospect (1:13) and the performances from four-star edge Booker Pickett at the UA All-America Game and the Polynesian Bowl (3:50).

Next, Smith provides his take on the defensive line class overall and if it's the best in the country (5:25).

We also discuss signee Jordan Lyle and the discussion regarding the top running backs (9:41).

Smith also talks about Miami recruiting the Midwest (12:33) and the schools contending with Miami for 2025 target Nate Marshall (15:49).

Lastly, we discuss Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan for the NFL and players to watch regarding the Michigan roster/classes (18:24).

Marcus Benjamin and Frank Tucker connect for weekly podcast - At the Crib.

First, we discuss our reactions to Miami landing Washington State quarterback transfer Cam Ward (1:23) and provide our takes on whether the addition makes Miami a playoff team (7:15).

You also talk about the potential impact of Ward and the impact of a true dual threat (12:17).

We also discuss the addition of Washington defensive back Mishael Powell via the transfer portal and his impact (16:51).

Next, we provide our takes on players that we would have loved to see transfer to Miami that ended up at other programs - Isaiah Bond, Shemar Stewart, Jacorey Brooks, and Earl Little Jr. (22:46).

We next discuss players that could potentially exit the program via transfer (28:34). Lastly, we discuss the recruitment of local four-star Chris Ewald (34:56).

Marcus Benjamin and Frank Tucker connect for weekly podcast - At the Crib.

First, we discuss Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban's retirement from college football (1:08) and what it means for Miami (9:07), Kevin Riley, Zavier Mincey, Jaime Ffrench, Ryan Williams mentioned.

Next, we discuss the addition of Albany transfer quarterback Reese Poffenbarger (16:54) and what it means for the quarterback room (25:24).

We also discuss the addition of Arizona transfer safety Isaiah Taylor and what it means for the safety position (28:59).