Antonio Tripp is a Miami Hurricanes signee: “I can definitely see in the future Cristobal adding five more national championships to Miami”
SIGNEES (with link to feature story on each): Francis Mauigoa … Damari Brown … Christopher Johnson … Antione Jackson … Collins Acheampong … Kaleb Spencer … Riley Williams … Samson Okunlola … Robby Washington … Bobby Washington … Rueben Bain … Mark Fletcher … Malik Bryant … Jackson Carver … Emory Williams … Antonio Tripp … Marcellius Pulliam … Jayden Wayne … Frankie Tinilau … Joshua Horton … Raul Aguirre … Robert Stafford … Tommy Kinsler … Ray Ray Joseph … Australian P Dylan Joyce
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When Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy OL Antonio Tripp took an unofficial visit to Miami in early March, he had no intentions of making a commitment. There were 15 other schools that had offered scholarships, and he was planning on taking a bunch of visits. But after seeing the University of Miami and meeting with coaches, Tripp was sold.
He committed that Tuesday before heading back home.
Tripp stuck by that and is now confirmed signing. He was initially offered back in January.
“It’s the perfect place for me,” said Tripp, who is originally from Owings Mill, Md. “It has everything academically, athletically.
“I can definitely see in the future Cristobal adding five more national championships to Miami.”
A benefit to Tripp committing so early in the process?
“Technically I’m the first recruit to commit under coach Cristobal (in this class) and that’s definitely something I can tell my kids,” Tripp said.
Tripp’s offer list included the likes of South Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, Texas A&M, and Penn State.
His IMG coach, Billy Miller, says that “With Tripp playing on the line and being as athletic and versatile as he is, the athletic ability shows day in and day out. It will carry on to the next level.”
He could play center or guard at Miami … and even tackle in a pinch.
“(OL coach Alex) Mirabal says I have a body where I can do anything,” Tripp says.
Growing up in the Baltimore area, Tripp says the impact of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed for the Ravens helped him learn about The U.
“As a kid I also liked Alabama because they were winning, but by eighth grade I didn’t really like Alabama anymore,” Tripp says. “I started to like The U even more, was big on Miami.”
In the end, Tripp says he looks forward to becoming part of the family vibe at Miami.
“That’s how I look at coach Cristobal, coach (Alex) Mirabal, coach Joe (Salave’a), and coach (Edwin) Pata they’re like my uncle’s down there,” Tripp said. “They’re all family so why wouldn’t I want to go play for my family? I know they’re going to help me out in the future. They’re going to teach me the things that I need to know as a young man and as a football player- I trust them. I really trust coach Cristobal’s vision that he has for the city and for the football of the University of Miami.”
And then there’s this final thought: “This can be a powerhouse school once again,” Tripp says.
