Getty Image
The Miami football team signed 19 new players on Wednesday as it looks to capitalize on its most productive season in nearly a decade. That class ranks No. 13 in the current 247 Sports standings, good for the top spot in the ACC.
Unfortunately, “The U” wasn’t able to secure the signatures of every target. Three-star defender Timothy Merritt was one player who flipped his commitment on signing day, spurning the Hurricanes for Tennessee.
Merritt is considered the 55th-best cornerback in his cycle. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, he garnered interest from major programs throughout the southeast. His recruitment ultimately came down to a handful of schools.
He held a ceremony at his high school on Wednesday where he filled everyone in on his college destination. On the table appeared to be hats representing Miami, Tennessee, Oregon, and Ohio State. Many, though, viewed it as a two-team race.
Merritt committed to the Hurricanes over the summer. He remained firm on that pledge publicly, though whispers behind the scenes suggested that the Vols were still very much in the mix.
The defensive back took multiple visits to Knoxville, even after committing to Miami. The most recent came on October 19th. With two strong suitors vying for his signature, Timothy Merritt weighed his options. He might’ve taken it a bit too far!
Rumors that he’d been leveraging his interest from Tennessee into a better NIL package from Miami surfaced online Tuesday. The Hurricanes supposedly wouldn’t budge. Some went as far as to say Miami cut ties completely due to the drama. They refused to negotiate!
Miami has moved on from DB commit Timothy Merritt. Has been trying to leverage Tennessee and Miami had enough of the drama
— CaneSport Miami Hurricanes (@CaneSport) December 3, 2024
Those rumors seem to hold some weight given his reaction on signing day. Not only did Merritt choose the Vols, but he disrespected the ‘Canes in the process.
The defender first placed a Miami hat atop his head as to signal a commitment to “The U.” He quickly tossed it away while saying, “Nah, f— that,” before picking Tennessee. The scene made the situation all the spicier!
WATCH: Parker High School DB Timothy Merritt chucks Miami hat in the funniest commitment of the year.
Parker said “F*** this” and then put on his Tennessee hat. pic.twitter.com/jPrFbSFpS0
— No Warmup The Pod (@nwthepod) December 4, 2024
In the end, we may never find out what truly happened. Maybe Miami was saving face by accusing the high schooler of double dealing after seeing the Tennessee writing on the wall. Maybe Merritt really was attempting to squeeze the Hurricanes for more NIL cash, forcing them to cut ties.
In the end, he chose the Vols. There seems to be no love lost for the school he was once committed to!