Miami Hurricanes

TRENDING NEWS: Examining the five areas Miami must improve in the incoming class of 2025

Published

5 months ago

February 1, 2024

The Miami Hurricanes football recruiting staff has demonstrated a high degree of plan execution during the Mario Cristobal era.

The goal of the UM coaches in the 2023 recruiting cycle was to sign the nation’s top offensive line class, and they succeeded.

In 2023, Miami signed Samson Okunlola and Francis Mauigoa, two 5-star talents. Big bodies like Tommy Kinsler and Frankie Tinilau were also added by UM to further develop.

In the 2024 recruiting cycle, the Miami Hurricanes aimed to assemble the best defensive line class in the country, and they successfully achieved this goal by signing three 5-star defensive linemen: Justin Scott, Armondo Blount, and Marquise Lightfoot. The Hurricanes’ defensive line haul also included 4-star DE Booker Pickett, 4-star DL Artavius Jones, 3-star DE Cole McConathy, and DL Daylen Russell.

Under the leadership of head coach Mario Cristobal, Miami has witnessed a significant increase in the overall talent level of its roster. The Hurricanes secured the No. 7 recruiting class in 2023 and elevated their recruiting prowess further with the No. 3 class in 2024. Notably, Miami claimed the top recruiting class in the ACC in both of these cycles.

As the focus shifts to the 2025 recruiting cycle, the Hurricanes are presented with another opportunity to enhance their talent pool for the future. The key question is identifying the positions of need that Miami must address in the upcoming recruiting efforts. This article aims to provide insights into those critical positions.

Continue reading to see the five kinds of athletes the Hurricanes need to sign in the upcoming 2025 recruiting class.

A BRILLIANT RUNNING BACK

In each of Mario Cristobal’s recruiting cycles at the University of Miami, the Hurricanes have secured commitments from standout running backs.

In the 2022 transition cycle, Miami signed four-star TreVonte’ Citizen from Louisiana. Unfortunately, Citizen suffered a serious knee injury during his freshman year’s fall camp. The subsequent recruiting cycle saw the addition of Mark Fletcher from American Heritage, who showcased his talent with a strong performance as a true freshman in 2023. In the most recent 2024 cycle, Miami added Top247 running back Jordan Lyle from St. Thomas Aquinas.

While Citizen, Fletcher, and Lyle are all talented running backs with solid contact balance, there is a need for an explosive back capable of scoring on any touch. Kevin Riley, a dynamic back committed in the 2024 cycle, eventually flipped to Alabama just before the early signing period.

Christopher Johnson, signed in the 2023 cycle, brings legitimate track speed, and his development will be closely monitored in the upcoming offseason.

Potential names to watch in the 2025 recruiting cycle include Byron Louis from American Heritage Plantation (FL) High School, Deandre Desinor from American Heritage Plantation (FL) High School, Alvin Henderson from Elba (AL) High School, and Bo Jackson from Cleveland (OH) Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

Miami is actively pursuing several highly rated running backs in the 2025 cycle, with Louis and Desinor from American Heritage being a notable tandem. Desinor, despite not having the biggest frame, possesses speed and suddenness, while Louis brings big-play potential as a larger-bodied back. Henderson, a productive running back from Alabama, recently visited Miami for a junior day.

A RECEIVER WITH SIZE

To enhance offensive versatility, a football team needs to be diverse not only in its game planning and schematics but also in player personnel. While the University of Miami has made significant strides in bolstering its receiver talent by adding speed and agility since the 2022 recruiting cycle, there is a notable absence of high school-level receivers standing at least 6-feet-3, with Isaiah Horton being the sole exception from the 2022 class.

This observation doesn’t diminish the improvements made in recruiting talented receivers over the last two cycles, but it emphasizes the importance of having a larger receiver capable of making contested catches and leveraging their size advantage, particularly in the red zone or on downfield shots.

Some potential names to keep an eye on for the 2025 cycle include:

1. Dallas Wilson (Tampa Bay Tech): An Oregon commit from the Tampa area, Wilson stands at an impressive 6-feet-3 and 190 pounds. He boasts athleticism and has recorded 49 receptions for 872 yards and nine touchdowns.

2. Quincy Porter (Bergen Catholic, NJ): Considered one of the top big-bodied receivers nationally, Porter offers a significant frame that can contribute to the Hurricanes’ receiving corps.

3. Joshua Moore (West Broward, FL): A local talent, Moore presents a compelling option with his skills and size.

4. ATH DJ Pickett (Zephyrhills, FL): An impressive athlete with the flexibility to play multiple positions due to his size and length, Pickett showcased his abilities with 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns in the 2023 season.

These players provide the kind of larger frame that can add diversity to Miami’s receiving options, contributing to a well-rounded offensive strategy.

A LARGE CENTER

After signing the best offensive line class in the country during the 2023 cycle, the Miami Hurricanes faced a setback when their highly touted center, Connor Lew, flipped to Auburn late in the cycle and went on to become a true freshman starter. To address this, Miami added Matt Lee as a transfer center from UCF in 2023. In the offseason, they bolstered their center position further by bringing in Zach Carpenter from Indiana.

While the Hurricanes signed Nino Francavilla, a center in the 2024 class, and view him as a potential leader in that role, there is a recognition of the importance of stacking talent at the center position.

Some potential names to watch for the 2025 cycle include:

1. Max Buchanan (Sanford Seminole, FL): An option from Florida, Buchanan is worth keeping an eye on as the staff continues its tradition of identifying and landing quality offensive linemen.

2. Cortez Smith (Parkview, GA): A prospect from Georgia, Smith could be a valuable addition to Miami’s offensive line.

3. Will Wascher (Bellevue, WA): Miami’s recruiting efforts aren’t confined to a specific region, and Wascher, hailing from Washington state, brings intrigue as a prospect.

4. SJ Alofaituli (Las Vegas Bishop Gorman): A potential addition from Las Vegas, Alofaituli could provide depth and talent to the center position.

5. Kaden Strayhorn (IMG Academy):

Strayhorn, from IMG Academy, is another prospect to consider, as the Hurricanes aim to build and maintain a formidable offensive line.

TWO TOP 100 CORNERBACKS

Miami has consistently excelled in recruiting various position groups, but one area where they’ve faced challenges in stacking talent is at cornerback. Despite strong recruiting efforts, the Hurricanes missed out on key prospects like Cormani McClain in the 2023 cycle (who chose Colorado) and Zavier Mincey in the 2024 cycle (who committed to Alabama).

For the 2025 cycle, the focus is on landing two premier cornerbacks. Here are some potential names to watch:

1. DJ Pickett (Zephyrhills, FL High School): Pickett is a versatile prospect who could contribute at multiple positions in college. With his impressive height of 6 feet 4 inches and strong ball skills, he has the potential to be a game-changing presence at cornerback.

2. Ben Hanks (Miami Booker T. Washington): Hanks is a lengthy cornerback with upward developmental trajectory, coming from a local program.

3. Blake Woodby (Baltimore St. Frances Academy): A prospect from Baltimore, Woodby could be a valuable addition to Miami’s cornerback group.

4. Gregory Xavier Thomas (American Heritage, FL Plantation):** Thomas brings a physical element to the field as a big-bodied cornerback, adding diversity to the cornerback group.

5. Onis Konanbanny (Heathwood Hall, SC Episcopal): Konanbanny is another cornerback prospect known for his length and intriguing developmental traits.

By targeting these prospects, Miami aims to strengthen its cornerback group and ensure a consistent influx of talent in this key position.

A RANGY SAFETY PROSPECT

In the 2024 recruiting class, Miami addressed the need for an in-the-box safety with the signing of Zaquan Patterson from Chaminade Madonna. Now, the focus for the 2025 cycle is to find a safety prospect with range who can provide coverage on the back end of the defense.

Mario Cristobal’s approach to safety recruiting has leaned toward physical players best suited for playing close to the line of scrimmage. However, adding safeties with the ability to cover in the passing game would bring valuable versatility to the roster.

Here are some potential names to watch:

1. DJ Pickett (Zephyrhills, FL High School): Pickett, who has been highlighted previously, possesses the length and speed to be an impact player as a rangy safety. His athleticism could make him a constant presence for quarterbacks to account for in the passing game.

2. Bryce Fitzgerald (Miami Columbus): Fitzgerald, a local defensive back from Miami Columbus, has a background in basketball, showcasing athleticism and ball skills. His ability to read the game and make plays on the ball could provide the ballhawking element that Miami is seeking.

By targeting safeties with range, Miami aims to enhance its defensive capabilities and create a more well-rounded safety group.