Local RB Chris Wheatley-Humphrey signs with Miami: "I feel like when I get in there, I’ll be the next great" ... "I signed the papers at 7:01"
Hollywood (Fla.) South Broward three-star ATH/RB Chris Wheatley-Humphrey always liked the idea of playing for Miami, so when he felt a strong enough relationship with Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal and running backs coach Tim Harris Jr., it wasn’t hard for him to pull the trigger to commit and ultimately sign with the Hurricanes today.
Yes, he’s confirmed in this class after signing his Miami papers – he says he signed at 7:01 a.m. and his ceremony to celebrate is at Noon today.
Wheatley-Humphrey’s high school career was nothing short of video-game like stats and explosive runs. He ran for 2,076 yards and 16 touchdowns on 159 carries his senior year (an average of 13.1 yards per carry) in just 10 games and finished his varsity career with 3,667 yards rushing and 29 total touchdowns.
“Chris is one of those kids only comes around every so often,” South Broward head coach Charles McCrea said. “You don’t really see a kid where half his touchdown runs are 70 or 80 yards. He’s going for 80-yard, 90-yard, 99-yard touchdowns what feels like all in one game.”
McCrea said South Broward wouldn’t have gotten out to its 5-0 start this season without Wheatley-Humphrey, and Miami continued to notice his performances. Wheatley-Humphrey committed to Miami April 17, the day after the Hurricanes’ spring game, and immediately shut down his recruitment.
“When I heard Tim Harris had gotten the job in Miami, I was thinking of going to UCF when he was there, so everything just came together,” Wheatley-Humphrey said. “It was really tied between Miami and UCF, but the relationship we built was strong. I like the vibe in Miami and wanted to stay home, so that’s why I committed so early.”
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Wheatley-Humphrey was impressed with Miami’s rushing success and running back production this season, and he’s remained a strong believer in Harris’ coaching abilities.
“I feel like he’s a great coach and can help people reach their full potential,” Wheatley-Humphrey said. “Mark Fletcher is a great athlete, and around Broward County he did his thing at American Heritage. [Henry] Parrish (is a) really good running back. I feel like when I get in there, I’ll be the next great.”
Wheatley-Humphrey added he wouldn’t have a problem if Miami asked him to move to a different position after showing his potential as a lockdown defensive back this fall during this season and this summer at 7-on-7 competitions, and his position wouldn’t play a massive factor in his level of mental commitment to the program. He’d repeatedly stated he’s willing to do whatever is best for the team and wants to contribute however he can.
“You’re going to get everything out of me,” Wheatley-Humphrey said.
CaneSport’s Take
Don’t sleep on Wheatley-Humphrey’s potential as a defensive back if Miami chooses to move him to cornerback, particularly given Wheatley-Humphrey is much more of a true athlete than just a running back. Wheatley-Humphrey could be used in more ways than we can count at the next level.
