'Huge' Recruiting Visit Coming For Miami
Within the game of football, size matters. Finding the combination of size and big-time athleticism gives credibility for recruiting all the way across the country, too.
Last year’s Miami Hurricanes recruiting class had players like defensive end Jayden Wayne and tight end Riley Williams that came from Washington and Oregon respectively, plus big-time offensive lineman recruit Francis Mauigoa was originally from American Samoa.
Miami wanted elite talent, so they went after all three of those players. For the class of 2024, the Canes have sought out another talented player from the northern Pac 12 region.
A YouTube sensation since he was seven years old and was twice the size of other players on the field, offensive lineman Isendre “Papa” Ahfua has now earned scholarship offers from programs across the country.
Miami, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M, Utah, Washington, Southern California, and Oregon represent some of his offers.
He’s been on several recruiting trips, and the Seattle (Wash.) O’Dea offensive lineman will be coming to Coral Gables soon.
Exited to visit Miami Hurricanes April 12 ! @TFordFSP @RealMG96 @coach_cristobal @CoachField @AlexMirabal_ @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/UVuf5RorHC
— Papa Ahfua (@IAhfua) April 9, 2023
With him being from the Pacific Northwest, it has kept many recruiting fans from knowing much about the incredibly talented player. Watching some of his early YouTube videos (it’s intriguing to watch) and also taking a look at Ahfua’s offer sheet paints a unique picture as to why he's probably not rated high enough as the No. 75 player in the nation from the composite rankings provided by 247 Sports.
Ranking debates aside, think about the following: Would Big 12, SEC, and Big 10 schools offer a player and spend their time chasing someone from all the way up in Seattle if he wasn’t a special talent?
Would Miami do that? The Hurricanes just signed a tremendous offensive line haul. Watching some of Ahfua’s footwork helps to explain why programs from across the nation have given chase, as the four videos below defined:
Vancouver @5on5association MVP 🏆 @RealMG96 @TFordFSP @Murdock_02 @Ryan_Clary_ @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @SWiltfong247 @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @TaylorBarton12 @RFordFSP @AABonNBC @polynesiabowl pic.twitter.com/Wz3CUZbKcs
— Papa Ahfua (@IAhfua) February 21, 2023
The Canes can afford to be rather picky with the 2024 offensive linemen they offer. Yet, Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal have gone after this 6-foot-4 and 300-pound athlete that’s slimmed down and gotten even more athletic than he already was.
Make no mistake, this upcoming visit to Miami could help continue Miami’s recruiting momentum after securing a commitment from quarterback Judd Anderson on April 7.
Lastly, Miami has seen numerous top prospects visit this spring. Look for several players to start setting official visits with the Canes between now and the end of April. Most of the official visits will take place in June. Perhaps Ahfua will be one of those official visitors with a return trip to Miami.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.