Miami Recruiting: Three Out Of State Prospects The Hurricanes Need To Sign

Winning these three recruiting battles can help the Canes have a top-five recruiting class

For Miami's recruiting efforts, landing big-time local talent is not the only priority.

The Hurricanes must find the best talent regardless of where it comes from. That certainly includes priority positions like cornerback, defensive line, and running back. Here's a look at three of UM's top out-of-state recruits and why each prospect visiting Coral Gables this past Saturday could help the Canes land a top-five recruiting class.

Adonyss Currie CB Lancaster (Calif.) Quartz Hill

Currie's unofficial visit to Miami is huge because it's hard for Mario Cristobal and Miami's coaching staff to build a relationship with him just by text messages, direct messages, and phone calls. By being in the same room, speaking with the young man matters. Considering Currie's rare size and talents, it even more important UM can now say it's hosted this young man for a visit.

Miami needs as many fast and long cornerbacks as it can muster. Currie's size at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds fits the bill for what the Canes want at cornerback. As for his skills, his ability to locate the football and win contested interceptions is exceptional. So are his instincts for when and how to jump a route.

His official visit list includes Texas A&M (April 13), Nebraska (April 27), Washington (June 1), Miami (June 8), and Utah (June 15).

Iose Epenesa DE Edwardsville (Ill.) High School

Miami is continuing to stockpile defensive line talent because it's such an important position. Epenesa is also a prospect who could play different roles because of his athleticism and size.

He's already 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds. Playing defensive send, he's capable of being a speed rusher and possesses the frame to one day hold the point of attack while going against a 320-pound offensive tackle. Quick feet and excellent lateral quickness, for a player his size, help Epenesa create disruptive plays.

On the recruiting front, Iowa is the team to watch because the Hawkeyes are a family tradition. His brother A.J. Epenesa is a former Iowa player and is currently with the Buffalo Bills. That's another reason his Saturday unofficial visit to Miami must be considered as a huge accomplishment for Jason Taylor and the Canes.

It's going to be hard to sign Epenesa without multiple visits. Seeing a UM spring practice also allows him a better chance to see Taylor work with the defensive ends. Miami should not be considered the favorite for Epenesa, but his unofficial visit gives the Canes a fighting chance.

Alvin Henderson RB Elba (Ala.) High School

If you want productivity, Henderson is a great place to start. Scoring 61 touchdowns this past season is proof of Henderson's consistency and durability, in addition to his all-around running back talents. He could be a vital piece to UM's future running back room.

UM is struggling with depth because of injuries and the transfer of Henry Parrish, Jr. While the Canes probably possess the depth to at least be sufficient at running back in 2024, there is room for two running backs in the 2025 recruiting class. Girard Pringle, Jr. is already in the fold for the Canes.

Henderson has been to UM at least three times unofficially, including this past Saturday. He's also planning to officially visit Miami (June 21). Auburn is the team to watch, but three times to Coral Gables and his official visit already set with the Canes, he could certainly help UM finish in the top five of the recruiting rankings.