Recruiting Rundown: Hurricanes Staff Active on the Road Again
![Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes helmet sits on bench as the Hurricanes play against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes helmet sits on bench as the Hurricanes play against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6000,h_3375,x_0,y_262/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_hurricanes/01jj5mv52dbvg7jc1472.jpg)
Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff have been incredibly active in the early part of the offseason, taking recruiting trips all around the nation to visit many of the 2026 class and beyond's top prospects.
This week was no different, as both Cristobal and his assistants were busy on the recruiting trail, making stops at many of the top schools in the Miami area and further.
Take a look at some of the visits that Cristobal and his staff made this week.
Class of 2026
5-Star ATH Brandon Arrington - Spring Valley, California
Miami👀 #TheU pic.twitter.com/rLMAqAePe8
— Brandon “Dash”Arrington jr 5 🌟 (@brandonjubie2) January 23, 2025
4-Star EDGE Kevin Ford, Jr. - Duncanville, Texas
🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 🌊 pic.twitter.com/aX8S07KvAJ
— Kevin “KJ” Ford Jr 🛸 (@KJ4ord) January 23, 2025
4-Star RB Javian Mallory - West Boca Raton, Florida
We back at it!! #GoCanes @coach_cristobal @Coach_Merritt @CoachPop_Cooney @CJJSMallory pic.twitter.com/tiKxGDtzpb
— Javian Mallory™️ (@mallory_javian3) January 21, 2025
4-Star OL Grant Wise - Milton, Florida
Had a great dinner with Coach Mirabal tonight‼️ #GoCanes #ItsAllAboutTheU @coach_cristobal @CoachMirabal @coachjuann @dtrain2901 @Coach_Rothwell @CanesFootball @MiamiHurricanes @PaceHSfootball pic.twitter.com/nvCiP1b01L
— GRANT WISE 2026 (@Grock64) January 17, 2025
LB Ezaya Tokio - Oceanside, California
Thank you @CoachJUANN for visiting me down at OHS. GO CANES🧡💚 pic.twitter.com/ugRSbO20ts
— Ezaya Tokio (@Ezaya_Tokio) January 23, 2025
LB Jaden Bush - Theodore, Alabama
THE U 🧡💚@ChadSimmons_ @On3sports @SWiltfong_ @Rivals @Rivals @coach_cristobal @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/cMCndvJef7
— • Jaden "JJ" Bush • (@JJ_Bush251) January 18, 2025
4-Star S Tylan Wilson - Pascagoula, Mississippi
🙌@coach_cristobal pic.twitter.com/sBJ0ZObyKD
— Tylan Wilson 4⭐️ (@tywilson4211) January 18, 2025
4-Star TE Evan Jacobson - Waukee, Iowa
Huge thank you to @CoachWoodiel for stopping by today to visit with my family and I as well as watching us get the W against Southeast Polk! @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/6nnpcAqt4d
— Evan Jacobson (@Evanjacobson12_) January 18, 2025
4-Star WR Jabari Brady - Pompano Beach, Florida
Thank you @coach_cristobal for stopping by🙌🏾🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/FkOLGu5jjL
— Jabari Brady (@_jbrady1) January 22, 2025
The Canes also hosted their annual Junior Day this week, inviting many prospects to Coral Gables for an on-campus visit. Take a look at the reactions from several of the Class of 2026's top talents.
4-Star RB Derek Cooper - Hollywood, Florida
Junior day at the U 🙌🏽 @coach_cristobal @DerrekCooper80 @Coach_Merritt pic.twitter.com/L59QLpNJSa
— Tonya Brinson (@TBrinson16) January 20, 2025
OT Ben Congdon - ZOAR, Ohio
ALL ABOUT THE U pic.twitter.com/pfTxOomoDh
— Ben Congdon (@Bencongdon58) January 18, 2025
4-Star OL Breck Kolojay - Bradenton, Florida
The U ‼️ @CoachMirabal @Coachcliff904 @coach_cristobal @SixZeroAcademy pic.twitter.com/sR3gLAUQWL
— Breck Kolojay (@breck_kolojay) January 19, 2025
4-Star WR Ethan "Boobie" Feaster - DeSoto, Texas
#AGTG @drobalwayzopen pic.twitter.com/Pi3YcTAn9K
— Ethan “Boobie” Feaster ✞ (@BoobieFeaster23) January 21, 2025
The Hurricanes also extended several offers this week to not only fellow 2026 prospects, but players in the 2027 class and beyond as well.
Class of 2026 Offers
CB Hayward Howard, Jr. - New Orleans, Louisiana
After a good conversation with the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff I am blessed and highly favored to receive an offer from The University Of Miami @LAvsAllYall @PrepRedzoneLA @CAMP_HARDY @EdnaKarrHS @247sports @samspiegs @JeritRoser @JimmyDetail @ pic.twitter.com/fQu8PxeQZ6
— Hayward Howard JR (@howard_hayward) January 18, 2025
4-Star EDGE Derek Coleman-Brusa - Burien, Washington
Thank you @CoachJUANN for taking the time to come to Kennedy Catholic! I am excited to share that I’ve been offered to attend and play Football at the University of Miami #GoCANES @coach_cristobal @JasonTaylor@CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/kc75jJj6wI
— Derek Colman-Brusa (@ColmanBrusa2026) January 22, 2025
4-Star S CJ Hester - Cocoa, Florida
#AGTG Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Miami @CoachField @CocoaFootball @Cocoa_Schneider @mdiesel321 @Coach_Meny pic.twitter.com/mV0KqXGStO
— CJ.Hester (@CliftonHester14) January 21, 2025
TE Luke Sorensen - Anaheim, California
After a great conversation with @CoachWoodiel I’m blessed to receive an offer to the University of Miami🙌! Go Canes pic.twitter.com/CwOJI0XF4U
— Luke Sorensen (@lukesorensen26) January 22, 2025
4-Star WR Messiah Hampton - Rochester, New York
After a great conversation with @Kevin_Beard9 I am extremely blessed to receive a offer from the University of Miami!!! @RoeFootball_ @CTC4CHANGE @GregCTC585 @BruceJ_55 @24k7v7 pic.twitter.com/WnksgnNMtt
— 4 ⭐️Messiah (M2) Hampton (@messiah_O8) January 21, 2025
4-Star WR Christopher Stewart - Pearland, Texas (Current Texas Commit)
After a great conversation with @TripCarrico I am beyond blessed to receive another offer from @CanesFootball 🧡 pic.twitter.com/QfH3o3ypna
— Christopher Stewart (@C1JS_) January 19, 2025
WR Jeffar Jean-Noel - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Bless to receive an offer from @CanesFootball @caneville305 @Kevin_Beard9 @CoreyCarmona @coach_cristobal @Footballville @CoachPop_Cooney @CaneSport @ahspatfootball #gr8ness #coiocho #Expect the Unexpec8ed pic.twitter.com/t2efeJYWIA
— Jeffar Jean-noel (@Jeffar_coiocho8) January 19, 2025
WR Zayion Cotton - Grenada, Mississippi
#AGTG Extremely blessed to receive an offer from The University of Miami @CoachPop_Cooney 🟠🟢 @CMF2023 @Coach_CJBailey @shayhodge3 @CoachHarville @BHoward_11 @MacCorleone74 @samspiegs @ChadSimmons_ @Zach_Berry pic.twitter.com/8D0GtNn8BE
— ᴢᴀʏɪᴏɴ ᴄᴏᴛᴛᴏɴ. (@zayion_4) January 22, 2025
Class of 2027 Offers
ATH Greydon Howell - Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Blessed to receive my first P4 offer at the University of Miami‼️ @dtrain2901 @coach_cristobal @CoachLang7 @seancooper_C4 pic.twitter.com/DMr4LTOBGf
— Greydon Howell (@GreydonHowell4) January 21, 2025
OL Gerren Bray - Boca Raton, Florida
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Miami @CoachMirabal @CoachHarriott @STA_Football @JerryRecruiting pic.twitter.com/sxxtv0PAw7
— Gerren Bray (@gbray08) January 23, 2025
OL Reis Russell - Littleton, Colorado
Blessed to have received an offer from the University of Miami‼️@CoachMirabal @keikiokalani @zachwilsonvalor @SixZeroAcademy @BrandonHuffman @GregBiggins @adamgorney @RivalsFriedman @PrepZoneCO @PlaymakerCorner @ChadSimmons_ @Zack_Poff_MP pic.twitter.com/cQqFqMVUYm
— Reis Russell (@Reis_Russell54) January 21, 2025
4-Star RB Honor Fa'alave-Johnson - San Diego, California
God is great. After great conversations with head coach @coach_cristobal and Coach @keikiokalani I’m beyond honored and blessed to announce I received my 17th offer to The University of Miami. #Gocanes pic.twitter.com/rLeXRfHZ0p
— Honor Fa’alave Johnson 5⭐️| Class of 2027 (@HonorFaalave) January 19, 2025
Class of 2028 Offers
WR Damarion Mays - Dallas, Texas
#AGTG. I am blessed to receive an offer from the University Of Miami @Kevin_Beard9 @TheCribSouthFLA @MiamiHurricanes @drobalwayzopen @CoachWeltonJ @Marchen44 @GPowersScout @PrepRedzoneTX @dctf @TXTopTalent @ChadSimmons_ @samspiegs @adamgorney @CanesFootball @TheUCReport… pic.twitter.com/mDkbWKD3Cj
— Damarion Mays (@Champfa6ix) January 19, 2025
WR Eric McFarland - Bradenton, Florida
Blessed & Honored to receive an Offer From The University Of Miami!!#gocanes @coach_cristobal @Kevin_Beard9 @GregBiggins @BrandonHuffman @ChadSimmons_ @Swiltfong_ @dzoloty @MohrRecruiting @adamgorney @TomLoy247 @Zack_Poff_MP pic.twitter.com/ZCfMTO851G
— eric mcfarland lll™️ (@cantguarderic) January 19, 2025
Taking a look at the Canes current commitments, 2026 quarterback Dereon Coleman participated in the Battle 7-on-7 tournament this week and became the second Miami commit in a row to not only secure a victory, but be named MVP of the event as well. He joined 2025 signee Luke Nickel after leading team Defcon United to victory.
In the end, it’s @defconunited7v7 that takes home the crown at Battle Miami.
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) January 19, 2025
Miami quarterback commit @DereonColemanQB leads the way with an outstanding two-day performance. https://t.co/rZhvm8yXkU pic.twitter.com/v61lem8hXO
This season, the talented signal caller led the Jones High School Tigers to a 14-1 record and threw for over 3,400 yards and 28 touchdowns on over 70 percent completion.
2026 running back Derek Cooper, who has been high on the Canes priority list, announced his top ten schools this week, including Miami among Georgia, Florida State, Alabama, Florida, Penn State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Auburn.
NEWS: Elite 2026 RB Derrek Cooper is down to Ten Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 22, 2025
The 6’1 205 RB from Lauderhill, FL is ranked as a Top 25 Recruit in the ‘26 Class (per On3)
Where Should He Go?⬇️https://t.co/3faZZYkGMM pic.twitter.com/UkxRAXln1V
Fellow top 2026 prospect, 5-Star wideout Tristan Keys, named the Hurricanes in his final schools as well in a list that included LSU, Auburn, USC, Georgia, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Alabama.
NEWS: Five-Star WR Tristen Keys is down to 12 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 22, 2025
The 6’3 186 WR from Hattiesburg, MS is ranked as a Top 10 Recruit in the 2026 Class (per On3)
Where Should He Go? ⬇️https://t.co/r9n15cW8Cn pic.twitter.com/7NR8B8VUpx
2025 Football Signees
- QB Luke Nickel, 6-foot-2, 205 lbs. - Alpharetta, Georgia (Signed 12/04/2024)
- RB Girard Pringle, 5-foot-10, 182 lbs. - Seffner, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- CB Chris Ewald, 6-foot, 165 lbs. - Hollywood, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- DB Amari Wallace, 5-foot-10, 172 lbs. - Miami, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- DL Donta Simpson, 6-foot-3, 281 lbs. - Hollywood, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- EDGE Herbert Scroggins, 6-foot-2, 235 lbs. - Savannah, Georgia (Signed 12/04/2024)
- EDGE Mykah Newton, 6-foot-2, 255 lbs. - Newberry, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- LB Ezekiel Marcelin, 5-foot-11, 208 lbs. - Miami, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- LB Kellen Wiley, 6-foot-4, 225 lbs. - Seffner, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- OL Max Buchanan, 6-foot-4, 275 lbs. - Sanford, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- OL Demetrius Campbell, 6-foot-6, 300 lbs. - Orlando, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- S Bryce Fitzgerald, 6-foot, 172 lbs. - Miami, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- TE Brock Schott, 6-foot- 3, 215 lbs. - Leo, Indiana (Signed 12/04/2024)
- TE Luka Gilbert, 6-foot-7, 233 lbs. - West Chester, Ohio (Signed 12/04/2024)
- WR Joshua Moore, 6-foot-4, 205 lbs. - Pembroke Pines, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- WR Daylyn Upshaw, 6-foot, 180 lbs. - Phenix City, Alabama (Signed 12/04/2024)
- CB Jaboree Antoine, 6-foot-1, 170 lbs. - New Iberia, Louisiana (Signed 12/02/2024)
- OL Jaden Wilkerson, 6-foot-6, 330 lbs. - Orlando, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
- OL Seuseu Alofaituli, 6-foot-3, 280 lbs. - Las Vegas, Nevada (Signed 12/04/2024)
- EDGE Hayden Lowe, 6-foot-4, 230 lbs. - Westlake Village, California (Signed 12/04/2024)
- WR Malachi Toney, 5-foot-10, 182 lbs. - Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Signed 12/04/2024)
2026 Football Commits
- CB Camdin Portis, 6-foot, 165 lbs. - Charlotte, North Carolina (Committed 10/27/2024)
- LB Jordan Campbell, 6-foot-2, 200 lbs. - Opa Locka, Florida (Committed 11/21/2023)
- QB Dereon Coleman, 5-foot-11, 165 lbs. - Orlando, Florida (Committed 07/03/2024)
2027 Football Commits
- Ah'Mari Stevens - Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Committed 01/13/2025)
Check out the Miami football recruiting tracker for a full breakdown of the 2025 class and more.
2025 Men's Basketball Signees
- SG Matthew Able, 6-foot-5, 190 lbs. - Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Committed 08/30/2024)
- C Ben Ahmed, 6-foot-9, 300 lbs. - Putnam, Connecticut (Committed 10/10/2024)
Check out the Miami men's hoops recruiting tracker for a full breakdown of the 2025 class and more.