Powerhouse Northwestern Brings Pipeline To Miami

12.1 miles... Thanks to Google Maps, that is the distance from <strong>Miami Northwestern</strong> to the <strong>University of Miami</strong>. About 12 miles and 12 years ago, seven Bulls players committed to <strong>Coral Gables</strong> to give the Hurricanes the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the nation led by then head coach <strong>Randy Shannon</strong>. Those players were QB <strong>Jacory Harris</strong>, WR <strong>Tommy Streeter</strong>, WR <strong>Aldarius Johnson, </strong>DT<strong> Marcus Fortson, </strong>LB <strong>Sean Spence, </strong>OT<strong> Benjamin Jones</strong> and WR <strong>Kendall Thompkins</strong>. Led by Harris, the Bulls were crowned national champions after a perfect 15-0 season and a Class 6A state title by the USA Today. That was the last time the Hurricanes were able to sign at least five players from the same school.... Until Saturday....and another knock on the door from their neighbors across the road. While this list of players might not reach the top of the charts as did the class back in 2008, head coach <strong>Manny Diaz</strong> has been able to keep a contingent of South Florida talent from going elsewhere. Currently, Diaz has this class hovering from 10th-12th in the nation. Moreover, 15 players have locally committed to the Hurricanes from Miami-Dade or Broward County. The following group helped Miami-Northwestern to its third consecutive state title and record seventh overall in Miami-Dade County last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32632" first="Kamren" last="Kinchens"]: Safety - <em>5-11,201</em></strong> Kinchens bow ties the Bulls commitments to Miami after a stellar junior season with Northwestern. Currently ranked 22nd in our 2021 <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2021-rankings/">state</a> rankings, the ball-hawking defensive back picked off nine passes for head coach <strong>Max</strong> <strong>Edwards</strong> a season ago. It is reported Kinchens was heavily influenced by former Cane and current assistant director of recruiting <strong>DeMarcus Van Dyke</strong>. Safeties coach <strong>Ephraim Banda</strong> and Miami legend <strong>Ed Reed</strong> were also vital in plucking Kinchens away from schools such as <strong>Auburn</strong> and <strong>Alabama</strong>. Only <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32662" first="Savion" last="Collins"]</strong> of <strong>Miami Palmetto</strong> is a higher rated defensive commit than Kinchens. The likely senior standout was named to <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/news/wIGBoFSVoker0adi_hgmdg/preseason-florida-all-state-high-school-football-team.htm">MaxPreps’ Preseason Florida All-State team</a>. Check out his junior highlights by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10288605/Kamren-Kinchens">here</a>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32631" first="Romello" last="Brinson"]:</strong> <strong>Wide Receiver <em>- </em><em>6-2,180 </em></strong> Brinson, currently ranked as the Hurricanes best 2021 commit, caught 43 passes for 834 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. After initially decommiting from the program, the future Hurricane came back around after the hiring of  <strong>Rhett Lashlee</strong>. A longtime offensive coordinator who recently held the same position at <strong>Southern Methodist</strong>, Lashlee brings a spread-style attack to Coral Gables that proved intriguing to Brinson. The future of Brinson in open space should be appealing to Hurricanes fans. For context, Miami finished 52nd in passing offense and 98th in total offense in the FBS last season. Brinson also considered Alabama, <strong>Georgia</strong>, <strong>LSU</strong> and <strong>Texas A&amp;M</strong>. Before he steps foot on campus, Brinson could benefit with added bulk and strength in the weight room. Check out his junior highlights by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11027788/Romello-Brinson">here</a>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32690" first="Kahlil" last="Brantley"]</strong>: <strong>Tight End -</strong> <strong>6-2,200</strong> Brantley joins Independence (Texas) tight end <strong>Elijah Arroyo </strong>to give the Hurricanes two of the better players at this position in the 2021 class. The rising senior caught 28 passes for 626 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Furthermore, it is reported the Hurricanes have a top five group nationally with the tight end tandem. This signing is especially key if <strong>Brevin Jordan</strong> leaves for the NFL draft before his senior season. As with Brinson, Brantley’s pass catching ability should open up under the new Canes offensive system. Check out his junior highlights by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8182265/Kahlil-Brantley">here</a>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32685" first="Tim" last="Burns Jr."]:</strong> <strong>Cornerback - <em>5-9,160</em></strong> Burns Jr. has been solidly committed to the Hurricanes after announcing his intentions back in July of 2019. The Bulls defensive back piloted one side of the field with five interceptions and 11 pass break ups. Burns Jr. is a speedy corner who also runs track for Miami Northwestern. While his frame might draw your attention, the rising senior is physical in press coverage and smooth off the line of scrimmage as well. The 5A-2A first-team selection by the Miami Herald held offers from schools such as <strong>Louisville</strong>, <strong>Tennessee</strong>, <strong>West Virginia </strong>and<strong> Nebraska. </strong>Check out his junior highlights by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10247719/Tim-Burns-Jr">here</a>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32699" first="Ja’Corey" last="Hammett"]:</strong> <strong>Outside Linebacker</strong> <strong>-</strong> <em><strong>6-3,205</strong></em> Hammett rounds out the Northwestern five after committing to the Canes during their annual Junior Day back in January. The Bulls edge playmaker tallied 63 tackles and 11 sacks during his junior campaign. Hammett is a big hold for Diaz, who joins Miami Killian’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="32681" first="Tyler" last="Johnson"] </strong>as an outside linebacker add. Edge rusher/athlete <strong>Chamon</strong> <strong>Meteyer</strong> (<strong>North Miami</strong>) recently de-committed from the program. Hammett held offers from Tennessee, Nebraska, West Virginia and <strong>South Carolina</strong>. Check out his junior highlights by clicking <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11578323/Ja-Corey-Hammett">here</a>. <strong>For any South Florida Prep Redzone news or information...please contact Michael Costeines @Steins_23 on Instagram or Follow him on Twitter @Mungertown_Mike23.</strong> &nbsp;