All-American OL Zandamela on Cristobal, Miami Visit Plans
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- Despite an abundance of prospects at various positions working out at the Under Armour Next All-America Game camp in Orlando on Sunday, only one walked away with a UA game invite after his efforts.
Clearwater (Fla.) Academy International offensive lineman Jason Zandamela.
The Miami Hurricanes recently offered the 6-foot-3, 286-pound interior prospect, pulling the trigger in January. Sunday's 'golden ticket' to the ESPN-televised All-American game was punched despite it being the first camp setting in which Zandamela workout out at center (video above).
"Been putting in a lot of work, on and off the field," he told All Hurricanes. "Grateful to be able to come out here and show my talents, obviously it paid off."
Zandamela played up and down the offensive line at CAI last season, but he has tackle experience to his name since moving to the United States from Mozambique to pursue football halfway through his high school experience.
"The wide base for sure, and I'm a pretty lengthy guy," Zandamela said. "When I put my hands on the D-tackles, they normally can't really reach me. I just anchor from there."
The rise of the athletic and versatile class of 2024 lineman has been well documented. UM wasn't the only school to jump in with a fresh offer early this year, but the Hurricanes do have a former CAI product in the trenches in Akheem Mesidor.
Both parties have recently talked about The U and Mario Cristobal to one another.
"He tells me a lot about how they put in the work all day, every day," Zandamela said. "Even when it's not training, they make work with their teammates and by themselves.
Jason Zandamela with his 'golden ticket' invite to the 2024 UA All-America Game.
John Garcia, Jr.
"I really like the fact that Coach Cristobal is an O-line guy as well, not a lot of schools have their head coach working with the O-line."
The surging recruit spent time in Coral Gables over multiple days in 2022, and plans to get back into town are developing.
"I was there last year for a visit, I like their campus a lot," he said. "I like their indoor and their strength and conditioning coach (Aaron Feld), too. He's very intense and I like it.
"I'm probably gonna head down there this spring, for sure."
Zandamela will look to take several official visits in the summer months, potentially ahead of a July verbal commitment. Florida State, Oklahoma, USC, Oregon, Penn State and many other programs are among those in the mix for the Africa native.
Florida State will get the next unofficial visit from Zandamela, too, for an unofficial visit. FSU signed former offensive line teammate Lucas Simmons in the class of 2023.
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