4-star DL Anthony Kennedy commits to Miami

Little Rock (Ark.) Central four-star defensive lineman Anthony Kennedy has committed to Miami.

He chose the Hurricanes following his decommitment from Missouri in May. Kennedy also considered SMU, among others this summer.

Kennedy is the No. 383 overall prospect and No. 36 DL in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Arkansas.

The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder emerged as a target for the Canes after he backed off his pledge to Mizzou. Miami DL coach Jason Taylor visited him a week after he came back on the board — that visit by Taylor quickly led to an official visit the following week.

To no surprise, Kennedy enjoyed his time in Coral Gables. That trip helped Miami eventually seal the deal, adding another impressive defensive prospect to a rock-solid 2026 recruiting class.

“I loved it and I enjoyed myself,” Kennedy said of the OV when speaking with CaneSport. “Miami is definitely a school I’m interested in. I just talked to my dad yesterday, and I asked him if I came this far, would he move down here with me—and he said he would. I feel great about Miami, and I can see myself playing here for the next three to four years.”

Miami adds eighth commitment this month

Multiple high-profile programs have picked up some serious steam on the recruiting trail in June and Miami is among that group. With Kennedy now in the fold, head coach Mario Cristobal and the Canes have now racked up eight commitments this month.

The biggest addition of the month came on June 23 when Tustin (Calif.) Mission Viejo four-star wide receiver Vance Spafford flipped away from Georgia. He’s the nation’s No. 86 overall prospect and the second to flip from UGA to Miami this cycle, joining Jonesboro (Ga.) four-star cornerback Jontavious Wyman.

“Miami has been on my mind pretty heavily for a while,” Spafford told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I have been down there a few times and when I was there for three days in the spring, they made a big impression on me. It is one of my few visits where it was nothing but smiles. It was all positivity down there. That feeling stayed with me.”

Visalia (Calif.) Redwood four-star tight end Israel Briggs is a one-time Arizona State pledge. He ranks as the nation’s No. 8 TE and pledged on June 24. Venice (Fla.) four-star EDGE Asharri Charles is a top-200 recruit and joined the class two days earlier.

Hoover (Ala.) three-star DL Tyson Bacon, Charlotte William Amos Hough On300 WR Tyran Evans, Tampa Bay Tech three-star interior offensive lineman Canon Pickett and Orlando Edgewater three-star linebacker Justin Edwards have also committed this month.

The class, which ranks No. 7 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, is of course headlined by Nixa (Mo.) Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect. Seven top-200 prospects are in the class to date.