Hurricanes sign quarterback, load up on graduate transfers

Manny Diaz assembles first recruiting class since becoming head coach

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Manny Diaz is welcoming his first recruiting class to Coral Gables.

The Hurricanes signed 14 players on the first day of the early signing period in December, but that was when Mark Richt was still head coach.

Now it's up to Diaz, who grew up in Miami, to convince some of the nation's top talent that the University of Miami is the place for them.

The former defensive coordinator briefly left to become head coach at Temple, but he returned to Miami after Richt announced his retirement in early January.

Miami's defense was among the best in the nation a season ago, but the offense struggled as Richt juggled between quarterbacks Malik Rosier and N'Kosi Perry. No quarterbacks signed early with the Hurricanes, but that changed Wednesday.

Diaz's first signing of the day was quarterback Peyton Matocha from Houston.

Technically, the Hurricanes signed punter Louis Hedley a day early. The 6-foot-4 former Australian rules football player signed his national letter of intent Wednesday morning Australian time.

Diaz was able to flip four-star Daphne, Alabama, defensive back Christian Williams, who verbally committed to stay in his home state and play for the Crimson Tide.

Former USC defensive back Bubba Bolden signed with the Hurricanes. He spent the 2017 season with the Trojans but sat out last year due to NCAA transfer rules.

The Hurricanes also officially signed two defensive linemen graduate transfers -- Trevon Hill from Virginia Tech and Chigozie Nnoruka from UCLA.

"I think we've improved our football team at every position in the locker room," Diaz said.

Here's a look at the recruits who signed national letters of intent Wednesday: