Miami Football Recruiting: Where Things Stand

Miami’s recruiting home stretch is here

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Nov 13, 2023 5:28 PM EST

In this story:

With the recruiting calendar closing in on National Signing Day this Dec. 20, it’s time to talk Miami Hurricanes.

As for Monday, Nov. 13, the Canes possess the #14 class by On3, and the #12 class by Rivals and 247. That includes 25 prospects that have pledged to Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes.

So what’s next?

Most of the commitments are solid based on the intel AllHurricanes has gathered. It’s a talented class and one that will push the Miami football program forward. But that does not mean this class will stay intact, nor does it mean Cristobal and his staff have remotely come close to finishing their recruiting objectives.

There’s no guarantee that Chance Robinson has come to a final decision to be a Canes football player, and he’s been vocal to the contrary. Here’s a recent quote from Robinson on X:

It’s hard to say what Robinson will do down the stretch, but there has traditionally been something to look at during these types of competitive recruitments. Does Robinson come back to UM for its final home game against Louisville?

If he does, good sign. If not, that’s probably a bad trend. No guarantees with what he does, but losing Robinson would be a massive blow to Miami’s 2024 recruiting class.

Next, there hasn’t been anything new to report on Robinson’s friend and former South Florida Express 7v7 teammate Jeremiah Smith. He was slated to attend the Miami at Florida State game and has been wined and dined by numerous programs during the past couple of years.

Until otherwise proven, Ohio State – where Smith has been committed for 11 months – has to be considered the favorite. Like Robinson, let’s see if Smith happens to get back to the Louisville at Miami game.

If something substantial about Smith comes about, a story will be up immediately thereafter.

As for going after prospects committed elsewhere, yes, there’s been plenty of that. If you’ve listened to Alex Donno’s Locked On Canes podcast, then there’s possibly been a time when you’ve heard yours truly discuss Saint Thomas Aquinas running back Jordan Lyle.

The Canes have gained two verbal commitments from Kevin Riley, a player who hails a stone's throw from Nick Saban’s house, and the more local Chris Wheatley-Humphrey from South Broward High School.

Teams have come after Riley hard, like Auburn. That being the case, Lyle has been at multiple UM games as well. Lyle’s recruitment has been and continues to be one to watch and it's hard to say how Miami running back recruiting will conclude. There have been other recruits to discuss, too.

Big-time defensive line prospect LJ McCray has committed to Florida but that recruitment did not conclude. Auburn could flip him, and perhaps another program like Miami could as well.

McCray’s teammate and friend Zavier Mincey, a talented defensive back, hasn’t even publicly announced his college choice. So that’s another recruitment that absolutely could go several ways and with the Canes still in the picture. Florida and Florida State have been the other schools to watch.

Bishop Gorman tight end Elijah Lofton has been strongly rumored to be looking at Texas. He visited the Horns recently. He’s another top-notch recruit and one that would be hard for the Hurricanes to immediately replace.

Offensive lineman Isendre Ahfua has been committed to Texas A&M, but the disruption to the Aggies’ football program by way of Jimbo Fisher’s firing could give Miami a way to get back into his recruitment. Miami was one of his final three with Utah and A&M.

Finally, Miami fans should just expect the unexpected. That’s what recruiting has become. It’s going to be a wild ride through Dec. 20.