ESPN.com - Miami is still an option for Kirkland

ESPN.com: College Football Rumors

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Miami is still an option for Kirkland

By Brent Sobleski

UPDATE: Miami will still be one of the hats on the table for Denver Kirkland (Miami, Fla./Booker T. Washington) when he makes his official announcement. Despite everything that occurred this weekend, the Hurricanes are still in play for the four-star offensive lineman. But they may no longer be considered the favorite to land Kirkland.

“It didn’t really hurt Miami, because things happen in life, you just have to deal with it," Kirkland told Amy Campbell of Scout.com.

Kirkland continues to leave the door open for Miami at every instance which may be an indication the Hurricanes are still a legitimate option.

"I think so," Booker T. Washington high school coach Tim Harris told Matt Shodell of CaneSport.com. "If they were willing to go see (UM coaches), talk to them, he still feels good about Miami."

Miami is still in the running, but the team's recent actions may have placed them behind Florida State as the favorite (see: below).

---

The recruitment of ESPN 150 offensive lineman Denver Kirkland took a few twists and turns over the weekend. Kirkland was considered a Miami lean, but the Hurricanes' coaching staff unexpectedly pulled his scholarship offer Friday. Kirkland's status with the Hurricanes appeared to have changed by Sunday.

"Kirkland and his family met with Miami coaches (Saturday) and (Sunday) one of the assistant coaches at Booker T (former UM track star Tim Harris, the son of the head coach) told Scout's Jamie Newberg that the offer is back on the table from the Canes," Mike Bakas of CanesTime.com relayed. "The coach says Kirkland will now choose between Miami, Florida State, and Arkansas this Wednesday."

Miami may have extended the offer once again, but the program wasn't able to mend the relationship after the surprise move.

"We understand what happened and they explained why they did what they did," Kirkland's stepfather, Shanton Crummie, told Manny Navarro of the Miami Hearld. "They were hoping they could change his mind, but after talking it out he just decided it was best to move on."

Arkansas now appears to be the leading candidate to land Kirkland.

"Crummie said Kirkland had Miami high 'up there with Arkansas' because of academics, but when they pulled the scholarship he was hurt and just never felt the same again," Navarro wrote.

Corey Dowlar

NoleNation Recruiting Prediction: Denver Kirkland

"The center of attention in the state of Florida over the last couple of days, the big question surrounding Kirkland has been whether or not he has an offer from Miami. Sources have confirmed that he indeed does, but the damage may have already been done. He will choose between Arkansas, Florida State and Miami.
Projection: Florida State.
Confidence: Low."

ESPN RecruitingNation

RecruitingNation Hot Board: Denver Kirkland

"The on-again, off-again saga between Kirkland and Miami is on again, and at the end of the day Kirkland wants to stay close to home."