Here's who signed with Hurricanes during early signing period

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Miami head coach Mark Richt said the Hurricanes signed 14 players Wednesday on the first day of the early signing period.

"Eight from the state of Florida and a bunch of kids that we think can come in and help us get better as a team," Richt told reporters.

Richt is hoping consistency on the defensive side of the football will help the Hurricanes with recruiting. 

The Hurricanes are losing defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who is leaving to take over at Temple. Richt promoted safeties coach Ephraim Banda and outside linebackers coach Jonathan Patke to fill the void as co-defensive coordinators.

Miami's defense was among the best in the nation, but the offense struggled as Richt juggled between quarterbacks Malik Rosier and N'Kosi Perry throughout the season. No quarterbacks signed with the team Wednesday, but that doesn't mean Richt won't be able to land one come February.

"We know we have some work to do between now and then," Richt said. "We know there's a lot of great players out there still. "We're pursuing them very, very diligently and we're looking forward to finishing off the class in style by the time February ends." 

The Hurricanes won their last two games to finish the regular season 7-5 after dropping four in a row. They'll face Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl later this month.

Here's a look at the recruits who have signed national letters of intent with the Hurricanes: