‘Relentless’ Hurricanes staff pushing for committed safety Conrad Hussey

FORT LAUDERDALE — St. Thomas Aquinas safety Conrad Hussey has been committed to Penn State since April, but that has not stopped Miami coach Mario Cristobal from pushing hard to keep the star defensive back closer to home.

“That boy does not quit,” Hussey said. “Cristobal’s going to show you he wants you bad.”

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Hussey said he still hears from the Hurricanes staff “every day,” and that Cristobal has been persistent in recruiting him.

“They’re still on me every day,” Hussey said. “They’re relentless. … They don’t stop.”

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Hussey, who is rated a four-star prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings, said he has been hearing a lot from both the Hurricanes and Florida State despite his long-running commitment to Penn State. He took an official visit to FSU last weekend.

“It was a good visit,” Hussey said. “Me and my family had fun.”

Despite the push from the in-state schools, Hussey said he still has a close relationship with the Penn State staff, which recently had an in-home visit with him.

“The relationship still stays the same,” Hussey said. “All loyalty, all love. They show me the same energy that they were showing me at the beginning of the process, so I appreciate them for it.”

While he is hearing from FSU and Miami, Hussey reiterated that he is committed to Penn State. A trio of Nittany Lions coaches, including former Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz, were on hand at DRV PNK Stadium to see Hussey and fellow Penn State commit King Mack play in the state title game, which the Raiders won 38-21 over Homestead.

“It meant a lot,” Hussey said. “It shows how true they are to their word. They said they were going to come and watch us all play, and they showed. So I really appreciate them for that.”

The pair of safeties were key contributors to the Raiders’ win. Hussey had an interception, and Mack had five tackles, two pass breakups and returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown.

“Just showing what our true chemistry is on the field,” Hussey said. “We can’t wait to carry that into college.’

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Hussey, who said he plans to sign when the Early Signing Period begins on Wednesday, was non-committal when asked if he would take a visit somewhere this coming weekend following the victory in the state title game. He ended his senior season with 29 tackles and three interceptions.

“Ended it off with a four-peat,” Hussey said, “and we’re chasing history.”

Standout junior Robinson expects UM to improve

One of the players next up in the long line of St. Thomas stars is junior wide receiver Chance Robinson, who has become a dangerous threat in the Raiders’ passing game.

Robinson, who led St. Thomas with 13 touchdown catches this year, is rated a four-star prospect and the No 20 wide receiver in the 2024 class. He holds nearly two dozen college offers, including one from the Hurricanes.

“[My recruitment has] been going smooth,” Robinson said. “My recruitment’s been rising. I’m just staying humble, staying smart and taking my time with it.”

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Robinson said he’s been hearing the most from Penn State, Florida State and Miami. He recently received an offer from LSU and he has been speaking to the Clemson staff, as well.

Robinson said he has heard from some members of the Miami staff, including analysts David Cooney, Jourdyn Thompson and DeMarcus Van Dyke. Robinson said he has known Van Dyke for a long time and played youth football with Van Dyke’s son.

“They’re all checking in with me, locking in with me and making sure I’m good,” Robinson said.

The star receiver said he expects the Hurricanes to improve under Cristobal.

“I have no doubt in my mind that they’ll pick it up and later on down the road, be a great team, be a physical team, be a smart team,” Robinson said. “So none of that season fazes me.”

Robinson led St. Thomas with four catches for 59 yards in the title-game victory.

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“It just feels great,” Robinson said. “it just feels good for our hard work to pay off.”

Linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez on his recent UM offer

St. Thomas 2024 linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez recently received an offer from the Hurricanes, and he said it would be a “dream” to potentially play for his hometown team.

Rodriguez said he has only recently begun building a relationship with the UM staff, and he has also head from coaches at Ohio State, Tennessee, LSU and Ole Miss.

“It’s the hometown team,” he said after the Raiders’ victory in the state championship game. “That’s where you dream of going, putting on for your city, representing for your city.”