MIAMI FOOTBALL SIGNINGS

Power Four take bites, but Martin likes new signee class

By Mike Smith
Although the player haul was somewhat smaller than anticipated several weeks ago, Miami football Head Coach Chuck Martin was still able to report the RedHawks got quality in a variety of places via National Signing Day commitments Wednesday. 
Miami was able to sign 18 athletes. Several weeks ago, the number would have been more like 24. 
"We hold the . . . 

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, , , distinction (among G-5 schools) of losing six kids to Power 4s, all in the last month," Martin said. "It's obviously disappointing, because those were kids who were committed to us ... for a long time. They were great players and we were really excited about them."

 According to 247 Sports, MU's signing class ranked fifth. Toledo, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan held the top four spots -- all of which had larger signing classes. Toledo, in particular, has routinely been among the top in signings. 

Noting that late losses are more damaging than de-commits months before, Martin said MU would not slip into a just "take anyone" reaction. "Sometimes you just have to wait for the next cycle and replenish, or maybe (get) another transfer in the portal."

Then, too, Wednesday was the "early" signing day and sometimes good athletes become available later. It depends on a team's needs.

Perhaps the most notable "flip" was quarterback Tommy Carr -- brother of  current Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr. 

The younger Carr threw for 2,431 yards and 31 touchdown (3 INTs) for Saline H.S. (Mich) during the regular season. The Hornets finished 10-2 after falling to powerhouse Cass Tech (42-28) last Friday. 

Carr's father (Jason Carr) had played quarterback at Michigan, so when the Wolverines approached Tommy, his football future home base quickly changed from Oxford, Ohio to Ann Arbor Michigan.

Fortunately, the RedHawks had another quarterback talent on their radar, and he became one of the 18 Miami signings Wednesday. 

Andrew Bellisari is a quarterback at D-III Bishop Watterson, which will meet Toledo Central Catholic for the state championship this week. It's the third straight year those two schools are meeting in the finals. 

Ironically, while Carr had familial ties to Michigan, Bellisari's uncle (Steve) was a quarterback at Ohio State. Greg Bellisari, Andrew's father, was a linebacker at Ohio State and later played for Tampa Bay in the NFL. 

"He's 30-0 as a high school quarterback," Martin said of the new RedHawk. "He's a big, strong athlete. He's fast. He's still young.  He's got a huge upside physically. All he does is win. All he does is compete."

Martin continued, "Andrew is kind of a throw-back. It's about football. It's about going to a good school and working hard and figuring out how to help your team win. ... We liked his skill set, and he's a crazy hard worker." 

Bellisari has thrown for 2,313 yards and 30 touchdowns this year. He has also rushed for 688 yards and 11 scores. 

MORE NOTES: 
•  As usual, recruits came from a variety of directions, but the vast majority were within a five hour drive of Oxford. Six are from Ohio. Four are Michigan prep players.
•  RB Chancellor Sparks will be playing the farthest from home. He is from Birmingham, Alabama. Kicker Brady Stidham, meanwhile, is from nearby Loveland, Ohio. 
•  Martin was very happy to get Stidham, finding him a good fit for a program that has valued -- and fielded-- a series of outstanding kickers. The coach noted that while Stidham's game long is 49 yards, he saw him split the uprights from 63 yards in practice. 
•  The RedHawks signing class consisted of nine offensive players, eight defensive players and one special teams player. 
•  Speaking of special teams, among the 18 signees is Scoop Smith. He's a diminutive 5-5 but is a two-time Player of the Year in Pennsylvania. He has excelled at multiple positions, including as a returner. 
"Scoop is just a big play waiting to happen," Martin said, adding MU will figure out the best ways to use him.. "You look at his highlight tape, and there are so many touchdowns from 60, 70, 90 yards away. He's a big play guy.. . .  He plays the highest level of football in Pittsburgh, and no one can tackle him." 

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO HIGHLIGHT. 

•  Smith is listed as one of four wide receivers joining the Miami freshmen fold. Will Pressley, Martin said. "is one of those guys that can really run routes, really get open, really catch the ball."
Tristan Reed registered 2,100 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior. 

•  There are two running backs, including 5-11, 225-pound Ike Steward out of Muskegon, Michigan. "We love versatility in the running backs room," Martin said.  "We like smaller, fast guys. We like bigger, stronger guys. We like guys that can catch and block."

•  Moving into the trenches are two offensive linemen and three defensive linemen. 
•  The Big Ten picked off two incoming linemen, but Zach Hultgren earned all-state honors as a senior as is already 6-5, 290. 

•  Mohammed Bangoura (6-7, 235) is listed on the defensiv line. However, he played on both sides, recording 40 tackles on defense and 28 pancakes on offense. 
He's a "late-blooming kid with a super high upside (and) loves the game," Martin said. He "did not grow up playing football but has all the raw materials to be a tremendous, tremendous Division I football player."

•  Brady Sink is among the linebackers. He earned first team all-state honors as a junior and senior. He owns the school record for career tackles and tackles for loss. He also played offense in 2025, recording 55 catches for 902 yards and 15 TDs. "Brody is a really good football player (who)  is going to be a really good linebacker. He's got a chance to come in here and compete right away."

•   Amir Morelan, Easton Jointer and Tommy Thies are versatile DBs who could also bring some physicality along the back of the defense. 

For more on ALL THE SIGNEES, CLICK HERE!!