Where's Miami At With Top Prospects? Here's the Rundown
The fireworks should be starting fairly soon. Until then, the Miami Hurricanes fan base should know that there have been and will continue to be several highly contested recruiting battles.
Here’s where I believe Miami stands with several prospects. If I don't know much about what’s happening, I made it clear. Again, this is just what I’ve learned up until this point. No more.
As always, recruiting has been fluid and will continue to be so. Heck, while I’m typing this there might have been a prospect that’s completely changed his mind about where he’s going.
Remember, these are teenagers.
There’s absolutely no order to this list.
Ryan Mack, cornerback/nickel, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Saint Thomas Aquinas
He’s a great young man and one that Miami has decided to go after. Love where Miami stands with Mack.
Kamarion Franklin, Defensive Line, Lake Cormorant (Miss.) High School
Even my contact close to Ole Miss believes the Canes are a major threat. Tennessee would likely be the biggest competitor, honestly, and not Ole Miss.
The fact that Franklin came back down again to camp with Miami was telling. Do not be surprised if the Canes pull the upset here.
Zaquan Patterson, Safety, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Auburn is the team to keep an eye on that many probably would not expect. Ohio State and Miami would be the more well known schools here. I like the Canes in the end because of the relationship that Patterson has developed with Cristobal and several members of the Hurricanes coaching staff.
Joshisa Trader, Wide Receiver, Miami (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
He has yet to take any of his official visits. Trader was at Miami's camp the other day though. That's a great sign. Miami has built a really good relationship with him. Look for Miami, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State and possibly Penn State to get official visits.
Jerrae Hawkins, Wide Receiver, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
My pick would be Penn State. Haven’t heard much of late, but he’s from the Philadelphia area and that's probably going to be a factor.
Dre'lon Miller, Wide Receiver, Silsbee (Texas) High School
Been real quiet of late, but Miami did a tremendous job on his visit. I like where Miami stands, as of today. Decision coming
Aydin Breland, Defensive Line, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
This will be a long, long race. Miami has been in it and should continue to be as well. Elite player that could make his decision this summer, sure. But I would bet his final decision truly comes on National Signing Day.
Jacory Barney, Jr., Wide Receiver, Miami (Fla.) Palmetto
Miami has made a serious move with Barney. Texas A&M and Nebraska were the other two programs to watch to date, the Cornhuskers in particular. Look for Miami to win out in the end, but that's not a slam dunk.
Keyshawn Flowers, Linebacker, Severn (Md.) Archbishop Spalding
I like where the Canes stand. I do wonder about the Maryland Terrapins being a threat, long-term, with him being so close to that school.
TJ Lindsey, Defensive Line, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy
I’m openly intrigued by Lindsey’s recruitment. It’s been all over the map with his interest in schools across the country. I would not guess any one way with where he ends up based on what I’ve heard about him. He has a ton of options and he’s a big-time talent despite where he’s been ranked by some scouting services.
LJ McCray, Defensive End, Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland
Miami loves this young man’s upside. Going to be hard to beat Florida and Florida State though.
Ellis Robinson IV, Cornerback, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy - Georgia commit
I say prove me wrong that he still ends up at UGA. I believe Miami will be the biggest threat to the Dawgs though.
Colin Simmons, Edge, Duncanville (Texas) High School
LSU and Texas will be the final two, based on what I’ve heard from multiple people.
Braylon Staley, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, Aiken (S.C.) High School
I’d love to know more here, but I simply have not heard anything.
Dylan Stewart, Edge, Washington (D.C.) Friendship Collegiate Academy
Miami has a shot. Like Breland, this will be a marathon.
Isendre Ahfua, Offensive Line, Seattle (Wash.) O'Dea
Waiting to hear and I am quite anxious. Love this young man’s upside based on film and what I’ve heard about his determination to get in really good shape. Utah and Miami were the trending teams last I heard.
Ashton Hampton, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, Tallahassee (Fla.) University School
He’s a dude that would be a great addition to the Miami roster, but beating out FSU and Clemson will be hard, among others.
Deryc Plazz, Offensive Line, Jacksonville (Fla.) Andrew Jackson
It’s gotta be Miami after he decommitted from Penn State, right? No intel there, just gut.
Elias Rudolph, Defensive End, Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High School
Michigan has been and continues to be the school to watch. Miami had a great visit with him, but he’s a Midwest guy that moved down South.
Moritz Schmoranzer, Offensive Line, Roanoke (Va.) North Cross School
Not sure where Miami stands here. He’s announcing soon, so we’ll all know regardless.
Justin Scott, Defensive Tackle, Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius
Ask me in early December. This is yet another marathon. My gut tells me he ends up in the Midwest at Ohio State, Michigan or Notre Dame. Intel of late has been mixed but do not expect him to announce for the Canes this summer as some had originally thought. It’s not from a lack of effort on Miami’s part as Scott has and continues to be a priority.
Chance Robinson, Wide Receiver, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Saint Thomas Aquinas
While many should have been concerned about his visits, he had a tremendous trip to The U this past weekend. I believe he will sign with the Canes.
Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Have not heard anything about this past weekend’s visit. Doubt many do really. He’s tired of the interviews and I cannot blame him. I still feel Smith will sign with Ohio State.
Chris Cole, Safety/Athlete, Salem (Va.) High School
Heard the visit this past weekend was really good. Now, can Miami surpass all the other schools? Still a long, long way to go until National Signing Day. Georgia is the team that I feel has the best shot outside of Miami.
Romanas Frederique, Cornerback, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Despite being committed to the West Virginia Mountaineers, at some point it’s hard not to see Frederique committing and signing with Miami. Now, I don’t know him personally and I am flat out projecting here. He’s a South Florida player though. Just makes sense to me. Miami has turned up the heat, too.
Jaylen Heyward, Safety, Rockledge (Fla.) High School - Georgia commit
I know Heyward well. He’s at the point, like many others, where he’s not going to take many calls though. Haven’t heard anything about his visit.
Kendall Jackson, Defensive Line, Gainesville (Fla.) Buchholz
It would be awesome if Miami could steal Jackson out from under the nose of the Gators, but I wouldn’t count on it. Haven’t heard much, but he did have good trips to UF, Kentucky and Arkansas prior to visiting UM.
Artavius Jones, Defensive Tackle, Blountstown (Fla.) High School
The Miami visit placed the Canes in contention. That’s a start for a player that lives in the Florida Panhandle. Yesterday Jones told me he’s done taking visits this summer. From knowing Jones for a while, I think he will take his time with a decision. His upside is tremendous. FSU is the team I wonder about. UCF could be a factor as well as the Knights got in on him early.
Ricky Knight II, Cornerback, North Palm Beach (Fla.) Benjamin School
Still hearing Knight’s final decision will likely be FSU or Miami. Regardless of where he commits this summer (assuming he does), it probably won’t be over until National Signing Day anyway.
Zuri Madison, Offensive Line, Lexington (Ky.) Frederick Douglass
Can Miami overcome Arkansas? His decision will be on Wednesday so we wait and see.
Zavier Mincey, Cornerback/Safety, Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland
I believe he will sign with UF or some place in the SEC. FSU could be a landing spot, too.
Rydarrius Morgan, Safety, Phenix City (Ala.) Central
While Miami wants Morgan, Auburn is the local school and has prioritized this young man. Going to be hard to unseat the Tigers, long-term.
Caleb Odom, Flex Tight End, Carrollton (Ga.) High School
I love where Miami stands, but as I noted in my podcast on Sunday, Odom’s recruitment has taken several turns. He’s coveted and it will be a battle until the very end. Bama will be the roadblock Miami must overcome.
Overall, I went down a pretty long list. I'm sure that I missed a few prospects as well. Those above were mostly June official visitors and there will be some others that make official visits to Miami as well.
Look for the Canes to add some important commitments in the next few weeks.
2024 Recruiting Rankings: Florida's Top 25 Prospects
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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.