CaneSport's Izubee Charles joins Josh Newberg to discuss the Miami vs. Ohio State recruiting battles and more

The Miami Hurricanes always need to fend off top national programs to keep the best players home in recruiting. And recently there have been several UM vs. Ohio State battles in the Sunshine State.

The Canes are also taking it to Ohio State’s home turf, though.

Most recently? Well, on March 30 the Buckeyes landed a commitment from Vero Beach’s 4-star LB T.J. Alford, who had UM in his finalists. Miami answered by picking up Cincinnati (Ohio) Lakota West 4-star TE Luka Gilbert, an Ohio State target.

Josh Newberg was joined by CaneSport’s Izubee Charles on The Inside Scoop to discuss the Miami-Ohio State battles on the recruiting trail, and Newburg recounted last year’s battles between the schools with Ohio State winning out for WR Jeremiah Smith and the Canes getting RB Jordan Lyle and flipping DL Justin Scott.

Charles said in this year’s battles that Alford will still be talking with UM coaches and take more visits despite his commitment.

“I won’t be surprised if I see him pop out on Miami’s campus in the next couple of months,” Charles said.

Miami and Ohio State are also now battling over 4-star Leo (Ind.) TE Brock Schott.

“Miami’s plan is to bring in two guys (at tight end),” Charles said. “I do think Miami is in a great position with Schott. He came out and said `Hey, Miami and Ohio State are my top two schools, that’s what I’m really focusing on.’ After landing Luka Gilbert, Miami has their eyes on Schott.”

Another looming battle between the schools is for 4-star WR Jaime Ffrench out of Jacksonville. Ohio State currently leads in the RPM at 61.9 percent.

“I really do think Miami is a threat for Jaime Ffrench,” Charles said. “Coach (Mario) Cristobal, coach Kevin Beard are doing everything they can to keep Ffrench in the State of Florida, not let him go elsewhere. This season is going to be a very big indication on his interest in Miami. It’s easy to say `We’re going to win games, our receivers are going to look great,’ but you have to show it.”

Florida and FSU are also in it with Ffrench, and the same holds true for WR Vernell Brown III, who has an Ohio State RPM prediction of 93.2 percent.

Brown visited Miami over the weekend.

“I think this is a very, very tough battle (for UM),” Charles said. “Miami is not going to give up on Vernell Brown. Since last summer Miami has been all over him, got him back to Coral Gables last weekend with his dad. He locked in an official visit, said his interest is very, very high. I think Miami will fight tooth and nail to keep him in the Sunshine State.”

*Also of note: Steve Wiltfong put in a prediction for Miami to land 4-star DE Zion Grady out of Troy, Alabama.

“Coming off (a weekend) visit Grady is saying all the right things about Miami,” Charles said. “They’ve got him down to campus twice in the last three months, which is always a good sign. He loved this recent visit to Miami, said he got a real in-depth look at it.

“The Hurricanes are all over Grady and I think they’re in a very, very good spot. … I wouldn’t be shocked to see this (commitment) come sooner rather than later.”