Coveted four-star LB Raul Aguirre commits to Miami

Fayetteville (Ga.) Whitewater four-star linebacker Raul Aguirre is going home to play for Miami. Aguirre’s family roots run deep in the area. Miami has an aura for Aguirre. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker idolized Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

“I get to be down in Miami, where I’m from and where my whole family is from,” Aguirre told On3. “Coach (Alex) Mirabal, my dad is best friends with his brother. Those are definitely ties you can’t knock off. That’s a big piece. I’ll be around family… When Miami is on, you can’t match it. It’s different.”

Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes’ new coaching staff made Miami feel like home. Aguirre admits on earlier visits to the school, it didn’t feel like he’d expected.

It wasn’t until his most recent visit and time with Cristobal and the coaching that the familiar feeling returned.

“It had a different feeling,” Aguirre said. “Right then, I knew that this is it. This the place where I wanted to be. There are a lot of recruits coming in, but most importantly, it was walking into that building and seeing it was a different program. It’s definitely going to be different.”

Cristobal is a former Miami Hurricane.

He was born in Miami. Aguirre was drawn to the vibrations emitting from the culture being put together by Cristobal in Miami.

“Seeing that coach played with Ed Reed and all of them and knowing that he has that mindset,” Aguirre said. “I can talk to a coach and know if he has the mindset. He’s a great person. The school is in great hands.”

Raul Aguirre feels the ‘U is back’

Miami has some momentum on the recruiting trail. The Hurricanes have charged up to No. 7 overall on the 2023 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings.

They’ve landed pledges from six players in the top 200 in the On3 Consensus rankings in the last month. Aguirre adds to that as he is the No. 131 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus rankings for the class of 2023. Aguirre feels there will be more to join the group.

He also feels that the current group could be the beginning of something special in Coral Gables.

“It’s not over with,” Aguirre said. “More players are coming. It’s time. The U is back. It’s great to know that it’s turning into that name and a lot of recruits are coming in. We know what we’re going in for. We’re going in to win and compete for a national championship.”