Miami looking to build off of recruiting momentum
Miami has landed a pair of blue-chip prospects since late March in Tampa Armwood four-star running back Girard Pringle and Cincinnati Lakota West four-star tight end Luka Gilbert.
Currently ranked No. 14 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, Mario Cristobal & Co. are looking to build off of that momentum as an impactful summer approaches for the 2025 recruiting class.
Hurricanes insider Izubee Charles broke down a handful of recruiting battles Miami is involved in on The Inside Scoop football recruiting show.
4-star EDGE Zion Grady
Miami is making a strong push for former Alabama commit, Troy (Ala.) Enterprise four-star EDGE Zion Grady. Grady was on campus over the weekend, and On3’s Steve Wiltfong has logged an expert prediction favoring the Hurricanes in his recruitment.
“Coming off that visit, Grady is saying all the right things about Miami,” Charles said. “Obviously, a former Bama commit, Miami has been making a very, very strong push since he backed off that pledge earlier this year. They’ve gotten him down to campus twice in the last three months, which is always a good sign. He loved this recent visit down to Miami. He said he got a really in-depth look at it. Last time he visited was during their junior day, so a lot of chaotic things going on. This time he got up close and personal with that Hurricanes staff.
“The guy that’s leading that recruitment is none other than Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, and what better guy to recruit you than a guy who has been at the highest level and is regarded as one of the best at his position to ever play in the NFL. So, Taylor is all over that, the Hurricanes are all over Grady and I think they’re in a very, very good spot to add that Alabama four-star defensive end after this visit.”
4-star TE Brock Schott
Miami could be looking to land its second tight end prospect of the cycle in Leo (Ind.) four-star Brock Schott.
“I think that’s Miami’s plan in the 2025 cycle, bring in two guys,” Charles said. “Last year, in the 2024 class, they brought in Elija Lofton — the lone tight end in that recruiting class. He’s a dynamic playmaker, we’ve heard about the great things he’s doing in the spring. That’s kind of what tight ends coach Cody Woodiel wants to bring in that tight end room — dynamic guys who can play multiple positions in that offense and make big plays. Gilbert is that type of guy, so is Brock Schott. Two of the best tight ends in that 2025 class.
“I do think Miami is in a great position with Schott. He recently came out and said straight up, ‘Hey, Ohio State and Miami are my top two schools, that’s who I’m really focused on.’ After landing Luka Gilbert, I think Miami has their sights on Schott and a few other guys that are really high on that board, including 2025 No. 1 tight end Elyiss Williams, a Georgia commit who was on campus as well. So, Miami is trying to bring out the big dogs for this tight end class. Last year, they didn’t have much success on the field, they’re trying to change that and bring back that ‘Tight End U’ moniker.”
4-star LB Tarvos Alford
Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach top-100 linebacker Tarvos Alford committed to Ohio State on March 30, choosing the Buckeyes over Miami. Still, with a long way to go until National Signing Day, the Hurricanes will continue to do everything they can to keep the in-state target home.
“There’s no official date set just yet,” Charles said about any future visits from Alford to Miami. “When I spoke to Alford before he announced his commitment, he said, ‘Regardless of where I go, I’ll be speaking to a select group of schools after I pledge my allegiance to a program. I’ll be taking a couple of visits just to see if the fit’s perfect for me.’ Obviously, that’s a guy that was really high on Miami’s board. They’re not going to give up on Alford, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I see him pop up on Miami’s campus in the next couple of months.”
4-star WR Jaime Ffrench
One of the most sought-after wide receiver prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin four-star receiver Jaime Ffrench is at the top of Miami’s recruiting board going forward. Ohio State leads for Ffrench in the RPM, but the Canes certainly are not out of the race.
“I really do think Miami is a threat with Jaime Ffrench. They were his first-ever scholarship offer. It was a different staff, but he said that holds a lot of weight and Miami holds a special place in his heart for that. Coach Cristobal and coach Kevin Beard are doing all they can to keep him in the state of Florida and not let him go elsewhere.
“This season is going to be a very good indication on his interest in Miami. It’s always easy to say. ‘Hey, we’re going to do this and that, we’re going to win games and our receivers are going to look great.’ But you have to show it. At the end of the day, I think that might be one of the biggest things that factor into his decision — can Miami’s receivers produce at a high level and consistently? We saw last year Xavier Restrepo, a 1,000-yard receiver, he did very well under coach Beard and coach Dawson. So if they can continue that and add to the wins, I think that’s the perfect formula to keep Jaime Ffrench in the Sunshine State.”
4-star WR Vernell Brown III
Another top-100 receiver for which Ohio State leads in the RPM, Wildwood (Fla.) Jones Vernell Brown III was in Coral Gables over the weekend for a visit.
“I don’t know what they’re doing up at Ohio State — well, obviously they’re sending guys to the league — but can they attract these Florida guys to Columbus. I do think this will be a very tough battle. If there’s one team I don’t want to be on the recruiting trail against when I’m recruiting an elite wide receiver, it’s Brian Hartline and those guys.
“Miami is not going to give up on Vernell Brown. He’s been a guy since he won a 7-on-7 tournament last summer that Miami has been all over his recruitment. They got him back down to Coral Gables last weekend with his dad, a Florida legacy. He locked in an official visit and said the interest is very high.”