CLEMSON, S.C. — The Miami Hurricanes’ poor finish on the field over the final weeks of the regular season cost them a chance at the Atlantic Coast Conference championship — and possibly a spot in the College Football Playoff.
It did not, however, appear to cost the Hurricanes when it came to prospects as they sat atop the ACC recruiting rankings Wednesday as the three-day early signing period got underway.
Miami lost to Georgia Tech and Syracuse over its last three games to fall from contention for a league crown as ACC newcomer SMU and regular contender Clemson will meet instead Saturday night in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hurricanes did much better with their latest signing class, their group of 19 sitting 14th nationally in 247Sports.com’s composite rankings as of Wednesday.
Georgia Tech was second among ACC teams (18th overall), with Florida State third (22nd) despite a disastrous season, Clemson fourth (26th) and SMU fifth (30th).
Miami landed edge rusher Hayden Lowe from Los Angeles. He was pledged to Southern California before signing with the Hurricanes. The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Lowe had offers from programs across the country, including Alabama and Texas of the Southeastern Conference, Oregon of the Big Ten and powerful independent Notre Dame.