By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
One of the biggest sleepers in high school football recruiting for the Class of 2025 in the 318 area code and the state of Louisiana at the safety position is Pineville’s Jacob Miranda.
I recently visited Pineville High School, met the team, saw them work and came away impressed with this kid’s leadership, persona, toughness and his play on the field. He goes full throttle, performs at a high level, and he’s always going to the right spot and getting there early because he knows his responsibilities and reads his keys. You can tell he’s well coached, and takes coaching well.
Jacob has a 3.2 GPA and already has scored a 21 on his ACT test. He’s qualified for college scholarship money. I believe he’s going to cash in on an offer. Somebody will get a steal.
Here’s a breakdown of his five favorite colleges and why he likes each one. Most of these colleges have been in contact with him since the spring.
Northwestern State – “I’ve grown up on that campus and going to those games because my mom is a professor of finance there. Coach (Blaine) McCorkle is really trying to turn that team around and is doing a great job from what I hear so far.”
UL Lafayette – “I love the campus and the area. Laffy is just a smaller Baton Rouge in my eyes.”
LSU – “I think every home-grown Louisiana high school football player grew up wanting to be a Tiger and watching them every Saturday on TV. Death Valley is amazing.”
Tulane – “That’s my Mom’s alma mater. We are originally from New Orleans. I was born there and have my grandparents there and it’s just such a great and very prestigious university.”
Houston – “I really like this school. Coach (Willie) Fritz is really putting something special together there. Houston is also a fun city and that’s definitely a place I would consider if I want to go out of state.”
Miranda is 6-0, 190 with really good speed and instincts. He told me he’s very close with the Rebels’ defensive coordinator, Justin Charles, who is also is defensive backs coach. That kind of bond helps a player develop to his fullest.
Jacob’s favorite hobbies are going to the gym to work out, watching football with the family and going bowling.
I like his combination of athletic talent, toughness, and a really level head on his shoulders. He’s a guy who can fit into a variety of schemes and will pick up new things quickly. He has a lot of upside on the football field and is a student-athlete who will bring added value to the college program that lands him.
I’m going to enjoy keeping tabs on him not only this fall, but as he goes forward into college.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on Twitter @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.