The latest blue-chip commit for Miami in Collins Acheampong from Rancho Santa Margarita, California and originally from Cape Coast in Ghana, was on hand in the #Canes twitter spaces on Tuesday evening. CanesCounty.com very own Marcus Benjamin and I were on hand to ask the important questions with the huge 6'8" lineman that very same night and get more of the inside details.
The Important Notes:
- Acheampong mentioned he was very, very torn between Miami and Michigan in the summer months coming off of multiple college visits, the four-star admitted he came very close to committing to Miami in July before ultimately announcing for Michigan. Miami and Mario Cristobal were the exact reason why his decision date was pushed back in the summer and Acheampong did not shy away from confirming that.
- Acheampong has mostly played basketball during his prep career but did participate in football as a freshman, he returned to the football field during his senior year and there was quite the jump in terms of his development and body frame. Unfortunately the Ghana native suffered a meniscus tear a few games into the season and had to shut it down, he said that he was already walking again and he is feeling pretty good as of late coming off the injury.
- His focus will be on football in college, and has no plans on playing basketball at Miami and his mind is set on football. He did not rule out working out with the basketball team while away from the football team at certain points of the year though. The 6'8" lineman mentioned he was averaging a double-double in basketball during his junior season in high school and almost a triple double at times. Basketball was initially his reasoning for coming to the United States, he also said that he is the youngest in his family and moved to the U.S. when he was 14 years old. His motive for making such a big move to a different country was for a better life for his family. Acheampong said he felt he needed to help out, it was difficult for him to see his mother working seven days a week and he couldn't take it anymore. He started to message schools, anything related to basketball that he could find and only one school took the chance on him and the rest was history.
- One of the key factors in why he flipped his commitment to Miami from Michigan, the four-star noted that it seemed as Michigan did not care for him much as a person in comparison to Miami that stayed consistently in his recruitment and continued to grow that relationship. He noted that Miami not only wanted him as a player but genuinely as a person and he felt the difference. Acheampong mentioned that one of his family members fell gravely ill in recent months and Michigan did not express as much interest or even check-in like Miami did in those matters. A few colleges backed away from him after his meniscus injury and Miami stayed right in it and ultimately won out. He had this to say about Mario Cristobal "relationship and bond is important, I know if he's pushing me really hard that it's coming from a good place." Miami's other 19 commitments wasted no time and added Acheampong to the recruiting class group chat immediately after his commitment to Miami.
- On Miami's coaching staff, Acheampong said he loves the entire staff and the family-like but business approach setting at Miami. He specifically noted Mario Cristobal as being a "great man and a great coach and he's genuine and consistent." He singled out coaches Rod Wright and Joe Salavae as being very involved with him in his recruitment and the relationship that they all have. When it came down to Jason Taylor, we couldn't even finish the question before Acheampong bursted out by saying "I'm going to stop you right there, yes 1000% I believe Jason Taylor can help develop me to be what I want to be. Their whole defensive line coaches are great and the d-line is doing their jobs." He was certainly excited about the opportunity of perfecting his game with coach Taylor.
- Miami is currently recruiting 4-star defensive lineman Enow Etta (Michigan commit) who Acheampong refers to as his brother while saying "He is the reason why I went to Michigan, and I will definitely be recruiting him to Miami." Acheampong mentioned there is a brotherhood between African native football players and did shed some light on the Canes 5-star offensive line target Samson Okunlola. Acheampong said Okunlola texted him just shortly after he announced his commitment to Miami and mentioned that they are like family. The two were also on a visit together to Miami when Acheampong visited in June and Acheampong noted he will be recruiting Okunlola very hard until signing day. Acheampong is also very familiar with current Miami senior defensive end Mitchell Agude and mentions that if Agude likes it at Miami he could definitely see why he would like it there too.
- Acheampong did not rule out the possibility of visiting Miami again if he gets the chance before he signs but did confirm he will be signing with Miami in December. He also confirmed he will be enrolling early at Miami for spring practices.
- We asked Collins about the possibility of going up against Francis Mauigoa in practices at Miami the next few years and potentially Samson Okunlola, "Yeah I'm really looking forward to going against Francis and possibly Samson, it is definitely going to make me better. I actually went up against Francis at the Future 50 (UA Camp)", Acheampong said.
- Collins noted he was excited about the direction and vision Mario Cristobal has for the program going forward, "I think they are going in the right direction, I don't think it will take just one year. Rome was not built in one day and I think once the pieces are in and the mindsets change, I think we will get there", Acheampong said.
- His mind set coming in as a freshman is "becoming the best that I can be, first thing first is developing my body. Building the right weight in the right places and learning from the best because I feel Miami's coaches are the best", Acheampong said. Former Hurricanes and NFL wide receiver Lance Leggett (Class of 2004, Rivals100 5-star) was on hand in the twitter space and asked Acheampong if he was prepared for what is about to happen on GreenTree Practice Fields, Acheampong rebutted back "I am always prepared and I am prepared for what Coach Cristobal will do on GreenTree." In regards to an adjustment from California to Miami, he sees no difference as they are both big cities and says he will like the college adjustment even more as he can work out 24/7 and the better support systems at the University of Miami.
- His final message to Canes fans before signing day and arriving at Miami on January 13th? "Patience, it's going to take some time to build. Patience and support this team because if you know that everyone has your back, you're going to be your best", Acheampong said.
*** What ultimately stands out for Collins Acheampong is "relationships and people", he said. That was the difference maker and it was a more than well-earned commitment flip for Miami as they never gave up. I will also mention that Marcus and I came away thoroughly impressed with how mature and genuine Collins is for his age, and I believe he will be one of the better interviews on Miami's football team for the years to come.
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