Inside Look: Miami WR commit Waden Charles’ coach says relationship with Canes is key

Palm Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Central four-star receiver Waden Charles was quick to commit to Miami in September days after the Hurricanes’ win over then-No. 23 Texas A&M, but even after his quick decision to commit more than a year before his signing day, Miami receivers coach Kevin Beard has done an exceptionally good job of keeping Charles locked in with the Canes, his high school receivers coach said.

Palm Beach Central receivers coach Jeffrey Celestin said Beard has done a good job building a relationship with both him and Charles, who hold significant respect for Miami’s receivers coach. Celestin said he feels he’s been almost mentored by Beard as a young receivers coach, saying “it’s like a coaching clinic” anytime the two speak. While Charles hears from Miami’s staff multiple times per week, Celestin hears from them two or three times per month.

Celestin has offered Charles succinct advice throughout his recruitment, telling him to “love those who love you,” which Miami has done a particularly good job of. Celestin has worked to teach Charles the difference between programs that want him and programs that need him, and Charles has felt like a priority at Miami.

Charles is currently the No. 263 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and listed at 6-foot-1.5 and 180 pounds. Celestin believes Charles could play X, Z or H receiver at the next level.

“He has a great relationship with Miami,” Celestin said. “They have been talking to him a lot more than other schools. I think other schools kind of backed off because he’s committed, but he’s not a disrespectful kid, so when other schools talk to him, he’s polite, listens and asks questions because that’s the right thing to do.”

Celestin still believes Miami is in the best position for Charles, and his positive experiences on Miami game day visits made a lasting impression. Celestin said part of the reason Charles remained so locked in after committing was Miami fans recognizing him walking around the concourse and shouting him out, saying “that’s Waden Charles, the UM commit!” He said it made Charles feel especially welcome at Miami, which he strongly values in his recruitment.

Charles has kept his recruitment open and has fielded interest from multiple other schools, although Miami has remained the team to beat. He took significant steps forward on the field as well, Celestin said.

“I feel like his junior year went pretty well because it was a different playing style from what he was used to,” Celestin said. “The school that he came from, he was always known as a deep threat kind of guy. So this year, we really focused on his yards after the catch. He was doing running back drills, really learning how to move with the ball once he gets the ball in his hands. It was more to complete what he already knows.”

Celestin said he wants to see Charles work “to put everything together” now that he’s become an effective deep threat and more dynamic after the catch, and he said he wants to teach him to be more aggressive and dominant in games and practice. He said Charles showed some aggression and dominance last year, but “it was on and off.”

CaneSport’s Take

Charles continued to take meaningful steps forward this fall and looked strong at Miami’s prospect camp last June, and he’s typically looked the most comfortable at Miami. We expect to see him back on campus this spring.

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