2024 Miami DB Recruiting Starts in South Florida
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Article photo of Tomauri Johnson; photo credit to Brian Smith.
South Florida has long since produced a plethora of top cornerback and safety recruits. The class of 2024, based on what’s been seen already, shall be no different.
For the Miami Hurricanes, here are some of the key defensive back prospects that come from their own backyard and could transcend the 2024 recruiting class. Keep in mind, this was only a sampling. There are always more top defensive backs in South Florida.
No reason for the particular order of the following list.
Ryan Mack, CB, 5-11, 165, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Plays for one of the nation’s best prep programs, has fundamental technique that has made him a candidate for playing time as a college freshman, i.e. Mack is polished for a player his age. There’s also the fact that his father played for The U.
Miami and Florida State are two teams to watch here, but there’s a long way to go.
Tomauri Johnson, S/CB, 6-3, 170, Miami (Fla.) Norland
Johnson has not received the national recognition he’s deserved. At least he has not just yet. After seeing his skills during Battle Miami, anyone that saw him knew what type of upside this young man possessed.
His lateral movements make him a unique defensive back because in certain situations he could even play some boundary cornerback. Long-term, Johnson should be considered an ideal free safety. His length stood out.
Miami has not offered yet, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they eventually did. Florida State has been one of the teams trending for him.
Zaquan Patterson, S, 6-1, 185, Miami Gardens (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna
Patterson is a chiseled specimen that could honestly play on either side of the football in college. He’s quite capable at either wide receiver or safety. That being stated, Patterson’s physical nature and powerful frame have the vast majority of college coaches recruiting him for defense, Miami included.
He has a great relationship with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, and the Hurricanes are in the thick of the recruiting battle with numerous other programs.
Rashad Snow, CB, 5-11, 160, Homestead (Fla.) High School
A pure cover cornerback, Snow has the change of direction skills to help a college program during the early portion of his college career. He’s very aggressive with the football in the air. His junior season helped him earn an offer from the current Miami staff.
Jamari Howard, S, 6-3, 185, Miami (Fla.) West Hialeah
A rangy athlete that’s best suited to cover the backend of the secondary, Howard has already made a pledge to Michigan State. Let’s see how his recruitment plays out over the next 10-plus months. It's doubtful that the likes of Miami, Florida, Florida State and UCF will just stop recruiting him.
Josh Philostin, CB, 5-10, 160, Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman
Philostin is that quick and twitchy cornerback that probably needs to add weight before going through the battles at the college level (as with any 160-pound cornerback). He’s seen a plethora of offers including the Canes. Philostin has been trending out of state, but it’s early. He could be a player to watch as the 2024 recruiting class progresses.
Larry Tarver, Jr., CB, 5-11, 165, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) TRU Prep
As defined in this prospect profile article about Tarver, he’s gone all but unnoticed by scouts. He should not have. Seven interceptions last season, excellent athleticism, and good grades make Tarver a prime cornerback prospect.
The prior Miami staff offered Tarver, but he’s still awaiting big offers from the likes of Miami’s new staff and other programs across the country. It’s only a matter of time before his recruitment blows up.
Xavier Lucas, CB/S, 6-1, 185, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard
The length of Lucas’s arms stood out at first glance. He’s also shown to be capable of mirroring the opposing wide receiver within man coverage. If he continues to grow, perhaps he ends up playing safety. His skills have shown to be a good fit for cornerback, however.
His recruitment has gone crazy in the past couple of months. Miami, Alabama, Oregon State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Nebraska, Florida State, UCF, Texas A&M, and Louisville have been some of his notable offers.
Kensley Faustin, CB, 5-11, 160, Naples (Fla.) High School
He’s been flying under the radar. That’s the best way to define Faustin. He has the speed and athleticism to be a big-time college cornerback, and his play at safety for Naples High School provided proof that he could possibly play in the backend of the defense at the college level, too. Like Philostin, Faustin needs some added weight. Other than that, he’s a really talented player.
Miami has been active with him and should be considered a prime contender for his services.
Lawayne McCoy, CB/ATH, 6-0, 170, Miami (Fla.) Central
McCoy should be considered the most difficult to project from this list. Why? He could end up at wide receiver, cornerback, or possibly even another skill position. McCoy has been well respected by his South Florida peers and for good reason: He's one of South Florida's fastest players. The speed alone makes him intriguing regardless of his future college position.
Florida State, Miami, and numerous other programs have been after him. The Canes have a good relationship at Central, so this should be a recruitment for Miami fans to follow closely.
Earl Kulp, 6-1, 170, Miami (Fla.) Central
Quiet by nature, but with the talent that has often spoken loudly, Kulp’s upside has long since been considered elite. One cannot teach the natural length and change of direction skills he’s been given. Now it’s a matter of continuing to learn his craft and simply continuing to improve. Kulp has the ability to one day don a NFL uniform.
Miami has been recruiting him, along with McCoy, and should be considered a program to watch moving forward. Michigan has been recruiting him hard as well.
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