Miami's Recruiting Efforts Are On Full Display At Under Armour Orlando
Miami's 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes will take shape from the best talent in Florida.
After attending Sunday's Under Armour Orlando Camp, there are important recruits to discuss possible options for Mario Cristobal and the Canes. Before beginning with specific prospects, the absolute most important piece of information is regarding a broader note.
Miami is doing a tremendous job of building relationships. It does not matter if it's an offensive prospect, defensive prospect, class of 2025, or 2026, the Canes are building bonds with recruits going by the better part of 20 conversations with people cover the UA event, as well as recruits themselves.
Because recruiting is a marathon and not a sprint, Canes fans should know that the entire Miami program is digging into recruiting.
Here's the intel about recruits and Miami, as well as thoughts about some of their performances, with no particular order below:
Vernell Brown III, WR, Orlando (Fla.) Jones - 2025
Brown is just as explosive as ever; his change of direction skills are elite. Few defensive backs can stick with his stop-and-start moves and overall athleticism. While it's hard to say what his best attribute might be going by the reps against defensive backs, seeing him run away from some of the defensive backs and go after the deep ball has to be under consideration.
When discussing schools he is looking at, Brown has yet to narrow down his list to even 10. He plans to do that this spring. Among several schools that he is attempting to narrow down his list from, Brown admits he holds an interest in Miami, Florida, Florida State, Stanford, and Ohio State. At least a few of those five programs may gain official visits.
Brown is an elite student so do not count out the Cardinal with his recruitment. Overall, this top receiver's recruitment is a long way from concluding.
Juan Berchal, CB, Sanford (Fla.) Seminole - 2025
Three interceptions during the one-on-ones stood out and the trifecta deserves to be considered rare.
He's not yet offered by Miami or many of the other programs college football fans often discuss, but Berchal did a tremendous job and his name likely begins to circulate among college coaches.
Among others, he has Georgia Tech, UCF, Illinois, Iowa State, Tulane, and Liberty.
Hylton "Drake" Stubbs, Safety, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin - 2025
Long way to go with Stubbs being recruited. The Canes are one of the schools on his mind along with Florida State (his brother, Harold Stubbs IV, is on FSU's roster), Florida, and several schools across the country. This could end up being an in-state battle for the talented safety recruit.
Seeing how Stubbs continues to fill out his body with lean muscle mass, it only strengthens one's evaluation of the player who showed out with two interceptions against Monarch High School in the Florida State Playoffs last season.
A great young man and one that's officially invited to the Under Armour game now, too.
Lamar Williams, Offensive Line, Tallahassee (Fla.) Gadsden County - 2025 - Miami Commitment
Williams is a long-armed offensive tackle. Seeing him during one-on-ones, It's obvious why numerous college football programs came after him. One cannot teach the overall frame, honestly.
Williams is still a raw prospect so it's going to be interesting to see how he develops under one of the most respected offensive line coaches in college football, Miami's Alex Mirabal. Right tackle? Left tackle? Guard?
This is the type of young man that Mirabal flourishes with based on his coaching history at prior stops like Oregon. He will figure out the best plan for Williams and his future. Williams will still likely take some visits, but he seems content with Miami as well.
Ziyare Addison, Offenisve Line, Riverview (Fla.) Sumner - 2025
Addison's recruitment has gone into hyperdrive. Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, Florida State, Florida, and many others could be the programs he signs with.
An upcoming trip to Tuscaloosa is in the works, as are others. Miami is on Addison's shortlist and holds a shot to gain an official visit. Long, long way to go with this big-time talent and his recruitment.
As for watching him go against top defensive prospects, Addison was one of the top players at Under Armour. He's a solid 280 pounds and moves well. Addison should end up playing left tackle at the Power 4 level.
Solomon Thomas, Offensive Line, Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines - 2025 - FSU Commitment
Elite power. That's the first note about Thomas. The overall build looks like a redshirt freshman in college. Thomas absolutely looks the part. He kept one defensive tackle from even getting off the line of scrimmage at the event. That's as rare as it gets.
Thomas proclaims himself as a future guard. His demeanor fits that concept well and he relished as many one-on-one reps as he could get, a great sign for his future.
As for his recruitment, FSU is definitely the team to beat. He really likes head coach Mike Norvell and the two have a unique connection. UF and UM are still coming after him, and so are several programs across the South and beyond.
Look for Thomas to likely take official visits this summer. The Noles will have to work to keep him in their recruiting class.
Max Buchanon, Offensive Line, Sanford (Fla.) Seminole - 2025
Clemson, UCF, Florida State, Miami, and several schools are in the running for this impressive prospect. He wants to get his recruitment over with before the summer ends. Look for him to stay closer to home, at least down South.
Buchanon will likely play guard and/or center at the college level and he shows the quick feet, anticipation, and tenaciousness to play at either position.
Buchanon loves football and he has the personality to one day be a captain for his college program.
Jabari Brady, WR, Coconut Creek (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna - 2026
Brady is a potential 5-star recruit. His 6-foot-3 and 190-pound frame looks college-ready despite being a sophomore in high school. He naturally catches the football away from his body. His recruitment is already ramping up.
Miami is right down the road and Brady expects to be visiting again as he admits its quite convenient. Ohio State and Florida State are two of several schools he's also planning to visit. Brady's recruitment is huge for the Canes. Right now, Miami is certainly a top contender but there are programs from across the nation coming after Brady.
Noah Grubbs, QB, Lake Mary (Fla.) High School - 2026
Grubbs is high on the Canes. He has no specific date but admits there's a really good chance that he will take another unofficial visit to Coral Gables this spring.
Some of the other schools likely to gain visits this spring would be North Carolina, Michigan, and Notre Dame. Florida is another school to watch while FSU surprisingly has not offered yet and appears to be fading with the recruitment of Grubbs.
His natural throwing motion and velocity stand out. He's big-time. Grubbs has a chance to compete for 5-star status a year from now.
Look for more details on an episode of Locked On Canes this week.
