4-star safety Cortez Redding commits to Miami: 'This is home for me'

After collecting over 50 scholarship offers, Jonesboro (Ga.) safety Cortez Redding has made his decision.

The four-star defensive back is headed to Miami, choosing the Hurricanes over finalists NC State, Ole Miss, and Indiana, with the Hoosiers finishing as his runner-up.

Redding’s relationship with Miami started late in his junior season, but once it began, it never slowed down.

“Miami offered me toward the end of my junior year, and ever since then it’s been real,” Redding told Rivals. “They’ve been recruiting me hard and consistently from the jump.”

For Redding, it wasn’t just about the football—it was about the people.

“One of the biggest things I love about Miami is the culture. The people around the building are all great and caring. Coach Will Harris and Coach Zac Etheridge—they’re both going to teach me a lot about football, but also about manhood and how to carry myself as a Black man. They’ve got crazy resumes coaching safeties, and it’s my goal to become the most legendary one.”

Redding is excited about the coaches he will play for at Miami

The bond with coach Harris helped seal the deal for the No. 290 prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking.

“Me and coach Harris probably have the best relationship of any coach,” Redding said. “He’s real. Always honest, always direct. He believed in me since he started recruiting me back in 10th grade.”

Head coach Mario Cristobal also made a big impact on the Georgia native.

“Coach Cristobal—that’s my guy. He’s fun to be around, a lot of laughs, and his vision for the new Miami is real. He’s fixing to get Miami back to the old Miami.”

Redding visited Miami twice and both experiences left a lasting impression.

“My first visit in the spring, the coaches loved me. We spent a lot of time together. It’s hard not to want to wake up to palm trees and sunshine every day.

“The vibe I get there is beautiful. It’s a chilled place—but inspiring too. Miami makes you want to be successful, to be wealthy. That’s the kind of environment I want to be around.”

While Redding is firmly committed, he’s not in a rush to shut things down entirely.

“I feel like no recruit should just completely shut down their recruitment until they sign,” Redding said. “We’re still kids at the end of the day. There’s no point in rushing. But I’m definitely committed—and this is home for me.”