Miami DL Recruiting Update
With the primary recruiting season winding down, it's a good time to further look into what's happening at a critical recruiting position. Will the Miami Hurricanes land the upper echelon defensive line prospects they covet? For the class of 2024, that's unquestionably the biggest need to be filled. Things certainly started well last year to help improve the roster.
Within the 2023 class, the Canes landed one talented defensive tackle in Joshua Horton. At roughly 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, the Peach State prospect could see playing time in 2023.
At defensive end, Miami absolutely killed it with its 2023 haul. The Hurricanes added big-time edge talents like Rueben Bain, Jr. and Jayden Wayne that could play right away, and there's also Collins Acheampong that already displayed a lot of long-term potential as well.
That's the good news from the last class and those talented prospects truly help Miami's efforts for its next recruiting haul. Plus, hey, it was a huge win for the Hurricanes when they landed 2024 edge defender Marquise Lightfoot. The dude can ball. There's still work to be done.
The bad news was and continues to be Miami's inability, at least thus far, to nab any 2024 big-bodied defensive tackle recruits. While still just July, that's concerning because from head coach Mario Cristobal and the entire UM staff, they have rightfully prioritized the defensive tackle position, while also looking to add another quality class of edge rushers as well.
Here were the defensive ends and defensive tackles that Miami has hosted for visits to date and where things stand. Could there be some breakthroughs? Absolutely. Does it look good from the outside looking in?
That would be debatable based on the Canes probably needing to continue to wait on several of the top prospects to make formal decisions. That's rough when the defensive tackle position, in particular, needs at minimum, two top-rated recruits. Just cannot afford to miss.
Kamarion Franklin, DE/DT, 6-5, 280, Lake Cormorant (Miss.) High School
This particular recruitment has shifted in numerous directions. Ole Miss, Tennessee, Miami, and now Auburn have all felt good about where they stand with the Magnolia State talent.
He’s reportedly heading back to Miami for another visit, but also heading to Auburn for an unofficial visit as well. To be blunt, Franklin’s recruitment should be considered a National Signing Day decision.
Artavius Jones, DT, 6-3, 280, Blountstown (Fla.) High School
This one is the player that hopefully Miami can steal out of north Florida. Jones has probably been unfairly ranked to date because he played for a 1A program. Plus, it’s in the Florida Panhandle where few recruiting scouts actually go.
Miami jumped on Jones early, however, and how it’s the waiting game. From the entire defensive tackle board, he’s probably the best bet as of July 12.
Kendall Jackson, DE, 6-4, 250, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz
Barring a major surprise, he’s about to commit to the Florida Gators. Miami went after him hard but Jackson lives in Gainesville. That’s tough to beat.
Justin Scott, DT, 6-5, 310, Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius
One weird recruitment. He’s committed to Ohio State and that was out of left field. Doubtful that this recruitment has concluded.
Elias Rudolph, DE, 6-4, 215, Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High School
Committed to Michigan, Rudolph hails from Ohio but was down in Florida for a bit. The Wolverines landed a big-time talent.
Jayden Jackson, DT, 6-2, 300, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
All intel points towards him picking Texas or Oklahoma on Thursday.
David Stone, DT, 6-4, 290, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Keep hearing Oklahoma with Stone. Might be tough to overcome the Sooners as he grew up roughly 30 minutes from the Norman campus. For a good while, it looked like Miami was at least No. 2 on his list but there's not been much information during the past week or two, at least for the media.
LJ McCray, DE/DT, 6-5, 260, Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland
Florida or Florida State have been considered the leaders for quite some time. He’s not often interviewed and there’s not been much news of late. Hard to say what this young man’s final college choice will be.
Aydin Breland, DT, 6-5, 300, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
This young man’s recruitment has been much like Franklin’s, as in many different teams have been considered a serious contender – at one point in time or another – which makes projecting where he signs quite difficult. He would be, no question, what Miami needs when it comes to a disruptive force in the middle of the defense however.
TJ Lindsey, DE/DT, 6-3, 285, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
Could be Texas A&M, could be Auburn, maybe Miami, or even Texas for Lindsey. After recently transferring to IMG, look for his recruitment to go into hyperdrive. He’s a big-time talent from the state of Arkansas.
Dylan Stewart, DE, 6-5, 235, Washington (D.C.) Friendship Academy
Ohio State has been the trendy pick, but Georgia, Miami and several others have been going after him hard. There’s been little to no news about him during the past few weeks. Stewart has the talent to be a tremendous college football player and one could argue he's the best defender in the country.
Collins Simmons, DE, 6-2, 225, Duncanville (Texas) High School
Texas and LSU have long since been considered the favorites, and Miami would likely be best placed in the second group of suitors.
Also, here are a few players that could end up visiting Miami officially down the line, among others, based on the Canes offering earlier in the process.
Booker Pickett, Jr., DE, 6-4, 205, Tampa (Fla.) Wharton
His recruitment has gone quiet! Florida State, Miami, and several other programs have been mentioned with Pickett for a long time. Again, quiet of late.
Elias Williams, DE/DT, 6-4, 260, Hudson (Fla.) High School
Perhaps the biggest sleeper in the state of Florida and located on the Suncoast just north of Tampa, Williams might be raw but he’s also quite talented. Miami was one of several schools that offered and it would be interesting what would happen if he ever took an official visit to Coral Gables.
Marcus Downs, DE/DT, 6-4, 260, Greer (S.C.) Riverside
A big-bodied young man with grades, not much has been discussed about Downs. The frame and length would be what college coaches covet, however, and that’s why Miami and a host of ACC and SEC schools offered a scholarship.
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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.