Top Miami Football Recruits Are Competing At Under Armour Atlanta
Miami's football recruiting efforts continue to include an emphasis on finding the best recruits no matter where they are from.
Without question, the states of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia provide elite talent. This year's Under Armour Atlanta Camp has several players from those three states competing that the Hurricanes want to add to their 2025 recruiting class.
After the Canes brought in a combined seven Alabama and Georgia recruits from the 2023 and 2024 classes, Miami is likely to land at least a few prospects from this Sunday's Under Armour Atlanta Camp.
Note: Recruiting rankings are from ESPN's Jr300 and an * next to a player's name denotes being committed to the 2025 Under Armour Next All-America Game.
- No. 7 DL Justus Terry (Georgia commit)*
As imposing as a current NFL defensive lineman, Terry's physical presence stands out in a crowd. He was arguably the most eye-opening prospect at last year's Atlanta Under Armour despite the 2024 group being exceptional and a year older.
Georgia is the school Terry is committed to. Auburn is the program to watch if he does flip his decision. Miami could be a wildcard with elite recruiter Jason Taylor zeroing in on the talented Peach State prospect. Terry hails from Manchester (Ga.) High School, just over an hour from Auburn's campus. His recruitment will be one to watch.
- No. 27 DL Jared Smith
This might be the player many recruiting analysts are most intrigued by. Playing at Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson, Smith is a long and lean edge rusher with an offer list that's the who's who of the college football world. It will be awesome to see him in one-on-ones against DeBose, et al, as Atlanta UA is always loaded with top big men.
Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Florida State, and Southern California are some of the schools that are going after Smith and are in contention. With his 6-foot-6 and 225-pound frame being coveted, Smith's recruitment could come down to National Signing Day.
- No. 45 DL Zion Grady
This is a true edge defender; Grady provides the frame college coaches covet at a position of high value. Long arms and a frame to weigh 250 pounds have all the top SEC programs coming after Grady.
Learning about Grady from Enterprise (Ala.) High School head coach Ben Blackmon solidifies what's seen on his HUDL film. That's probably why helicopters were landing with head coaches like Smart, DeBoer, and Miami's Mario Cristobal coming to recruit Grady.
Hugh Freeze and his Tigers, along with the rest of the SEC, are also making every effort to land the big-time edge defender. Grady is the rare pass rusher who can change a college football game with a strip-stack that seemingly comes out of nowhere.
- No. 56 RB Alvin Henderson
Scoring 61 rushing touchdowns as a junior, Henderson's recruitment is full of the elites despite playing at a small school in the Southeastern Region of the Yellowhammer State. It's Elba (Ala.) High School where Henderson excels, and it's going to be great to see him compete with big-time players at UA Atlanta.
Many believe Auburn is the team to beat for Henderson. Do not discount Miami, Florida State, Georgia, Alabama, and other programs from being prime contenders for Henderson's signature either.
- No. 78 OL Cortez Smith
Another prospect from just outside of Atlanta at Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview, Smith is an athletic player who possesses position flexibility. His talents are bringing in the college programs.
Among the schools Smith is interested in, he told 247's Steve Wiltfong, "I’m actually in the process of scheduling spring visits with Georgia Tech, Miami, South Carolina, Auburn, Florida State and Georgia."
- No. 81 OL Juan Gaston Jr.*
Massive at roughly 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds, Gaston is a prime target for Georgia and Tennessee among other SEC schools. The Hurricanes would also love to land the massive lineman. He plays for Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake and college coaches are continuing to recruit him after first learning about Gaston when he came into high school.
Under Armour will be a great test as he will see tremendous edge rushers. The UA Camp will help give scouts an idea if Gaston is best suited to one offensive line position or another.
- No. 107 DB Cortez Thomas*
Impeccable timing augments several aspects of Thomas's game. He's crafty as a free safety who baits an opposing quarterback into a throw, times his leap to win contested catches, and sets up his chance to strike a ball carrier with a coil before driving into his midsection.
He's also a long and rangy corner who plays man or zone well. That's why Ole Miss and Mississippi State are doing their best to sign Thomas from Lexington (Miss.) Holmes County. Some of his offers include Colorado, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, and Memphis. Look for Thomas to add quite a few more offers in the coming months.
- No. 231 OL Tavaris Dice
Athletic offensive lineman with the talent to play guard or tackle at the SEC level. he's 6-foot-5 and 293 pounds right now and has plenty of room to weigh 320 pounds or more. Dice's athleticism is why he's an SEC-level recruit, however.
He has the quickness to compete with edge rushers, while also the desire to bend his knees, get low, and power through a defensive tackle. Coming from Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes, Dice has a high ceiling. Auburn is the team to beat right now, with Miami, LSU, Georgia, and many other programs battling for an official visit.
