Collins Acheampong, former Michigan flip, signs with Miami: “I just love the relationship with coaches”

SIGNEES (with link to feature story on each): Francis Mauigoa … Damari Brown … Christopher Johnson … Antione Jackson … Collins Acheampong … Kaleb Spencer … Riley Williams … Samson Okunlola … Robby Washington … Bobby Washington … Rueben Bain … Mark Fletcher … Malik Bryant … Jackson Carver … Emory Williams … Antonio Tripp … Marcellius Pulliam … Jayden Wayne … Frankie Tinilau … Joshua Horton … Raul Aguirre … Robert Stafford … Tommy Kinsler … Ray Ray Joseph … Australian P Dylan Joyce

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It was July 8 that Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic DE Collins Acheampong chose Michigan over Miami, announcing his commitment. But in a testament to the tenacious recruiting style of Canes coaches, UM never gave up. Mario Cristobal and Rod Wright continued to contact Acheampong on a daily basis in the weeks and months that followed. And that paid off Nov. 29 when Acheampong flipped his commitment to Miami. A big reason he cited? His connection with Canes coaches vs. the Wolverines coaching staff.

Today?

Acheamong signed with the Canes, making his future official.

“With Miami, I just love the relationship with coaches, love them,” said Acheamong, who will enroll early. “They’ve been real with me from day 1, felt like family. Even though I committed to Michigan, they never gave up.”

Acheampong has an interesting background. He grew up in Africa, moving to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student to start high school. He played football as a freshman, then only played basketball when his prior school (Fairmont Prep) didn’t field a football team. But he opened eyes at football camps and while showcasing his athleticism on the basketball court. He already had over 40 offers, including Miami, by the time he transferred to Santa Margarita Catholic in the summer.

He took his Miami official visit in June, then was wowed after coaches continued to show they cared for him even after he committed to Michigan. They commiserated when his mother Rita, who had raised him by herself in Ghana working 70-hour weeks, fell ill. They were supportive and inspiring when his senior season ended in September due to a torn lateral meniscus ligament (he thinks he will be cleared to participate in spring practice in some form or fashion). And they made it clear they were there for him no matter what.

“Coaches at Miami have been like family,” Acheampong said. “I’d always liked Miami from the start.”

As for what he brings to the table at the next level? His coach, Anthony Rouzier, compares him to Jason Pierre-Paul.

“That’s a good comparison,” Rouzier said. “He has size, athleticism, ability to bend, natural strength. He’s also coachable.”

Before his injury in game 3, Acheampong had four sacks, four pass breakups and six tackles for losses.

“He was a very disruptive and dominant player,” Rouzier said. “(A strength is) his ability to use his length. He knows how to naturally work through blocks because of his basketball background. He can bat balls down, is very productive, has a good motor.”

Acheampong’s On3 scouting report reads “Uniquely built jumbo athlete with a high developmental upside. Newer to football, having little varsity experience. One of the bigger, more athletic prospects in the 2023 cycle. Measured at over 6-foot-7, 250 pounds with a 6-foot-11 wing-span prior to his senior season. Gained over 20 pounds from the spring to the summer and has the frame to continue adding substantial mass once in a college strength program. Registers as a top athlete in combine settings, running an electronically-timed sub-5.0 second 40-yard dash in addition to top marks in the shuttle and vertical. Has played little high school football as his original high school scuttled its football program. Transferred to Santa Margarita Catholic prior to his senior year and played well in a handful of games before sustaining an injury. Flashed considerable upside and better than expected technique and physicality at Under Armour’s Future 50 event prior to his senior season. Has a background in basketball. One of the more unknown prospects in the 2023 cycle given his lack of padded football experience, but has a considerable upside as a big defensive end or perhaps even a pass rushing interior defensive lineman depending on his ultimate size.”

Acheampong’s goals at Miami?

“To become the best player I can be and person I can be,” he said. “I feel coaches can help me grow as a person, be there for me like family. And just help me develop as a player too. Their defensive ends showed up, third in the nation in sacks. Their defense did their thing. And with the pieces they have, they’ll just push me to my very best.”