logo
Hurricanes continue loading up in trenches with commitment in-state offensive lineman

Hurricanes continue loading up in trenches with commitment in-state offensive lineman

Miami Herald10-06-2025
The Miami Hurricanes continue to load up on the offensive line in their 2026 recruiting class with a commitment from in-state prospect Canon Pickett.
Pickett, who plays at Tampa Bay Tech, is a three-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite ranking and ranked as the No. 43 interior offensive lineman in the class.
'I'm home!!!!!!!' Pickett posted Tuesday on his personal X account announcing his decision.
Pickett, listed at 6-4 and 320 pounds, is the sixth offensive lineman commit in Miami's Class of 2026. He joins five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, four-star offensive tackle Ben Congdon, three-star offensive tackle Joel Ervin, three-star interior offensive lineman Rhys Woodrow and three-star interior offensive lineman JJ Sparks. He chose Miami over Florida and Clemson.
The Hurricanes have a dozen total players in their Class of 2026, which was ranked 13th by 247Sports prior to Pickett's pledge.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dolphins PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Lions
Dolphins PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Lions

Yahoo

time22 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Dolphins PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Lions

The Miami Dolphins erased a halftime deficit and came away with a 24-17 win against the Detroit Lions in a preseason matchup Saturday. With starters for both squads watching from the sideline -- including the Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa, De'Von Achane, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle -- it was the backups' time to shine. Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers took advantage of the opportunity, leading the Dolphins to a come-from-behind win with three scoring drives after halftime. Veteran Zach Wilson struggled to get things going in the first half. So who stood out most? Pro Football Focus graded every player's performance Saturday: 5 best grades on offense LG Josh Priebe: 89.1 WR Theo Wease Jr: 85.9 WR Dee Eskridge: 85.8 RT Ryan Hayes: 81.3 TE Chris Myarick: 73.9 5 best grades on defense CB Ethan Johnson: 90.0 CB Cam Smith: 81.1 CB Kendall Sheffield: 78.6 CB Isaiah Johnson: 78.4 DL Kenneth Grant: 78.1 5 worst grades on offense RB Jaylen Wright: 37.2 WR Tarik Black: 51.0 QB Zach Wilson: 51.4 WR Erik Ezukanma: 51.8 TE Tanner Conner: 51.9 5 worst grades on defense CB Cornell Armstrong: 29.5 LB Eugene Asante: 36.7 S Patrick McMorris: 46.6 DL Zeek Biggers: 47.1 LB Willie Gay Jr: 48.9 This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Lions

Who is Nets forward Haywood Highsmith? Get to know Brooklyn's addition
Who is Nets forward Haywood Highsmith? Get to know Brooklyn's addition

USA Today

time2 hours ago

  • USA Today

Who is Nets forward Haywood Highsmith? Get to know Brooklyn's addition

Brooklyn Nets forward Haywood Highsmith was acquired via trade from the Miami Heat on Friday along with Miami's 2032 second-round pick in exchange for Brooklyn's 2026 second-round pick. Given where Brooklyn is as a rebuilding team, along with the Nets' second-round pick in 2026 being protected from the 31st overall pick to the 55th pick, it seems that Brooklyn is unlikely to give up a second-round pick at all. Be that as it may, the Nets have ultimately brought in a player in Highsmith that has had an interesting journey in his professional basketball career after leaving Wheeling University. Highsmith, born in Baltimore, Maryland, played his high school basketball in Baltimore before embarking on a college basketball career at Wheeling that showed what he could do at a higher level. Highsmith's time at Wheeling saw him accomplish great feats on the hardwood as he was a two-time All-MEC (Mountain East Conference) winner, MEC Player of the Year, and First-Team Division II All-American during his senior year. After a successful college basketball career at the Division II level, Highsmith entered the 2018 NBA Draft where he went on to go undrafted before catching on with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. Highsmith signed a Two-Way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in January of the 2018-19 season, but spent most of his time playing for the 76ers' G League afiliate in the Blue Coats. Highsmith spent the 2019-20 campaign with the Blue Coats, but used the 2020-21 season to see if he could realize his professional basketball dreams elsewhere by playing overseas for the Crailsheim Merlins in Germany. During the 2021-22 season, Highsmith caught his first big break in the NBA after signing a 10-day contract with the Heat in February of that season. Highsmith played well enough to earn two more 10-day deals with Miami before eventually signing a rest-of-season contract that became a three-year, $3.9 million deal that took him through the 2023-24 campaign. In his four seasons with the Heat, Highsmith averaged 5.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 44.9% from the field and 37.5% from three-point land. Highsmith is coming off arguably his best season in Miami after averaging 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest while shooting 45.8% from the floor and 38.2% from deep. What stands out the most about Highsmith's game is his ability on the defensive end of the floor to guard perimeter players and make life tough for even some of the league's best players. There are enough defensive highlights for Highsmith that someone was able to put together a nearly six-minute video of some of his best possessions during the 2024-25 campaign alone. Highsmith, 28, joins a Nets team with plenty of young players on the roster and the former Wheeling Cardinal has the chance to bring his experience and defensive tenacity to head coach Jordi Fernandez's roster. Highsmith has one year left on his current contract and will be owed $5.6 million over the course of the 2025-26 season so Brooklyn found a way to get another 3-and-D wing at a value.

Updated Dolphins 53-man roster projection after preseason opener vs. Bears
Updated Dolphins 53-man roster projection after preseason opener vs. Bears

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Updated Dolphins 53-man roster projection after preseason opener vs. Bears

The Miami Dolphins' 24-24 tie on Sunday against the Chicago Bears did more to solidify several players' case for a spot on the 53-man roster than insert any newcomers to the mix. After rookies and veterans all had opportunities to make their case in the opening preseason game, not much has changed from last week's mock roster projection: Quarterbacks (3) Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson, Quinn Ewers All three Dolphins quarterbacks saw action against the Bears. While starter Tua Tagovailoa was efficient, backups Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers struggled. Still, given Tagovailoa's injury history, there's no reason to expect the Dolphins to carry fewer than three quarterbacks, and Ewers should be rostered to start the season. Running Backs (4) De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Ollie Gordon II, Alec Ingold (FB) There's a slight change here, as Gordon, who looked promising with eight rushes for 33 yards and a goal-line touchdown leap, is set to become the third back. Mattison, who scored a 1-yard touchdown, left the game with a neck injury that required season-ending surgery. Miami also worked out Jamaal Williams on Monday, which is something to keep tabs on. Wide Receivers (6) Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tahj Washington, Dee Eskridge The Dolphins have a few candidates for the final receiver spots, with veteran returner Dee Eskridge and second-year receiver Tahj Washington both making strong cases. Eskridge impressed on kickoff returns, while Washington made several nice catches, showing shiftiness and an ability to gain yards after the catch. Washington led Miami in receiving yards with 53 on three receptions. If Miami keeps six receivers, Eskridge's special teams value will be hard to overlook, and Washington is doing everything possible to secure a spot. Undrafted rookies Theo Wease Jr. and Andrew Armstrong look more like practice squad options for now. Tight Ends (3) Darren Waller, Pharaoh Brown, Julian Hill No changes here. Miami's tight end group leans more toward blocking than receiving threats. Veteran addition Darren Waller remains on the PUP list, but is expected to be ready for Week 1. Pharaoh Brown and Julian Hill should be safe roster picks thanks to their blocking ability. Tanner Conner will need standout performances in the next two preseason games to push for a roster spot, but his lack of consistency in the regular season, coupled with needs at other positions, could work against him. Offensive Line (9) Patrick Paul, Jonah Savaiinaea, Aaron Brewer, James Daniels, Austin Jackson, Liam Eichenberg, Daniel Brunskill, Larry Borom, Andrew Meyer Last week, head coach Mike McDaniel noted that backup center Andrew Meyer could miss 'weeks.' With uncertainty about whether he'll need to go on PUP or injured reserve, he's penciled into the 53-man roster for now, with adjustments to come after final cuts. Kion Smith could be the odd man out, though he's a practice squad candidate. Should Meyer be moved to IR post-announcement, Smith could be elevated. The Dolphins could also keep an eye on potential veteran swing tackles released around the league, as additional depth would be valuable. Defensive Line (5) Zach Sieler, Kenneth Grant, Benito Jones, Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers No changes here, though veteran Matt Dickerson made a strong impression against Chicago with multiple tackles, including one for a loss. Rookie Zeek Biggers adds special teams value and nearly blocked a kick Sunday. Fellow rookie Jordan Phillips tallied three tackles and proved to be a force in the trenches, showing potential for early snaps. Linebackers (9) Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson, Quinton Bell, Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, K.J. Britt, Willie Gay Jr., Grayson Murphy The linebacker group remains intact. Willie Gay Jr. had a solid game with multiple tackles and a half sack. K.J. Britt contributed three solo tackles, one assisted stop, and a pass defended. Second-year linebacker Grayson Murphy recorded a sack, flashing pass-rushing upside, though run defense improvement is still needed. Derrick McLendon also played well, with a sack and two tackles for loss, and could land on the practice squad, if not the 53. Cornerbacks (6) Storm Duck, Kendall Sheffield, Jack Jones, Mike Hilton, Jason Marshall Jr., Ethan Bonner Miami's cornerback depth remains a question mark due to injuries, but the group is likely to stay at six players. Duck is emerging as a starter, with Jones pushing for the second cornerback role. Hilton should handle nickel duties, while Marshall and Bonner provide depth. Bonner deflected a pass that led to a Patrick McMorris interception. His speed could secure him the final cornerback spot, though UDFA B.J. Adams is also in the mix. Safeties (5) Minkah Fitzpatrick, Elijah Campbell, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Patrick McMorris, Dante Trader Jr. With veteran Ashtyn Davis sidelined by injury and his return timetable uncertain, there's a chance he opens the season on IR. Fitzpatrick anchors the group, while Campbell could see more defensive snaps in addition to his special teams contributions. McMorris, entering his second season, is looking for an expanded role after a solid preseason showing. Specialists (3) Jason Sanders, Ryan Stonehouse, Joe Cardona Ryan Stonehouse and Jake Bailey continue to battle for punting and holding duties. Stonehouse unleashed a 50-yarder, while Bailey topped him with a 59-yard punt downed inside the 20. For now, we're sticking with Stonehouse, who has a rapport with new special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman. This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins 53-man roster projection after preseason opener vs. Bears

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store