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American High DE Vernon commits to UM - 03/02/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

The University of Miami put together one of the nation's top football recruiting classes last month by building a virtual protective wall around the high school stars it coveted most in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

After inking 18 local front-line players last month, UM officially started collecting its next group of local stars Sunday when it received an oral commitment from Hialeah American 6-3, 230-pound defensive end Olivier Vernon.

A second-team All-Dade selection last season as a junior, Vernon said he made an unofficial visit to UM last Thursday with his parents and high school coaches and decided this weekend to call new receivers coach Aubrey Hill and give him the good news.

''I had a great visit and I just decided why not go with what my heart is telling me -- that I'm going to end up at UM anyway,'' said Vernon, who debuted as the No. 3 overall recruit in Dade or Broward in The Miami Herald's Pre-Spring 2009 Top 20 list.

``I really like the campus, the small classes. I got a chance to speak with the school president [Donna Shalala] and she told me how important education and winning was to her. Coach Shannon is a great guy too. I feel like it would be an honor to play for him.''

Vernon, who said he grew up a Canes fan, becomes the fourth player to announce his intentions to sign with UM next February. On Tuesday, Canesport.com reported Miami received an oral commitment from 6-4, 235-pound tight Billy Sanders of Arizona. He joined Rivals.com five-star running back Bryce Brown, the younger brother of UM freshman linebacker Arthur Brown, and quarterback A.J. Highsmith, son of former Canes fullback Alonzo Highsmith. Oral commitments are nonbinding.

Last season, Vernon recorded 12 1/2 sacks and 52 tackles, including 18 for loss, as junior. American coach Ben Aaerstad said Vernon picked up his first offer from Louisville coaches during last season's spring game and now has more than 20 offers after his junior season -- including ones from Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina and Florida State. Vernon said Miami began recruiting him in January.

Aaerstad compares Vernon to a smaller version of Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor. Olivier, a star soccer player growing up, said didn't play organized football until he came to high school because his mother wouldn't let him. He has started every game since his sophomore season on the varsity and has played defensive end, outside linebacker and middle linebacker.

Vernon, who has a 3.0 GPA, said he told UM coaches when he committed he would still like to take official visits to other schools. Right now, that only includes Alabama.

''He's definitely a great athlete,'' said national recruiting analyst Larry Blustein of MSLCombines.net. ``But the thing I like most about Olivier is he is very smart. He's like a sponge. He's going to be very coachable at the next level.''