Where things stand with the Hurricanes (and Shemar Stewart) heading into signing day – The Athletic

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — No recruit has received more attention from Miami’s staff since Mario Cristobal’s arrival last month than five-star defensive lineman Shemar Stewart.

He was the first player Cristobal phoned after he was announced as coach on Dec. 6, and the first Miami’s staff visited when the contact period restarted earlier this month.

Over the weekend, the Hurricanes continued to roll out the red carpet for the 6-6, 272-pound All-American, giving him all the 1-on-1 attention he coveted. That included six staffers taking him out to a private dinner at Prime 112 on Miami Beach, where Stewart ended up meeting NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

“The weekend was cool man. He enjoyed it,” said Moe Marquez, Stewart’s position coach at Miami Monsignor Pace, who has guided him through the recruiting process. “Miami has always been in it. The only thing (this visit) did was help them, not hurt them.”

Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. the Hurricanes will find out just how good Stewart’s final impression of Miami really was. That’s when he’ll announce his college choice between Miami and Texas A&M, the school long considered the favorite to land his signature, according to industry insiders.

 

 

Stewart, though, is not the only player the Hurricanes hope to sign Wednesday.

Here’s where things stand for Miami heading into national signing day.

How many players does The U plan to sign Wednesday?

A handful at most.