Miami looking for third top-10 class in four years under Mario Cristobal

Miami has been acquiring talent at an elite level since Mario Cristobal’s arrival in Coral Gables, including top-10 recruiting classes in both 2023 and 2024. That work came to fruition last season as the Hurricanes won 10 games for the first time since 2017 and were within a few plays of the College Football Playoff.

Their 2025 class took a slight step back, finishing No. 15 overall. But with proof on concept out there about what Cristobal and Co. have built, they are looking to take advantage on the recruiting trail in 2026. They currently hold the nation’s No. 10 class nationally in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and the No. 1 group in the ACC, just ahead of Clemson. With football season approaching, the Canes now have a class that features 22 commitments.

At the top of that list is Five-Star Plus+ offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell of out Nixa (Mo.), who committed to the ‘Canes in May. In doing so, he spurned Georgia, Oregon, Ohio State and dozens of others to head down to Miami next year and is expected to be one of the highest-paid freshmen in college football.

“Going into (the UGA visit) I figured I’d either go there or Miami,” he told CaneSport. “Those were kind of the two I was down to at the time. I got on the plane coming back from Atlanta and I remember telling myself, ‘Alright, by the end of this plane ride I’m going to know where I’m going.’ I just thought about it the whole plane ride. I was just kind of thinking about it, and by the time I got off I was like, ‘Well, I guess I’m going to Miami, guys.’”

Along with Cantwell, Miami has pledges from 15 other blue-chippers and has built depth across the board. The ‘Canes have five other offensive linemen committed, a trio of four-star wide receivers, and one of the country’s best secondary groups. Along the way, they’ve beat out in-state rivals and programs across the country as they look to have another big few months on the field and the recruiting trail.

You can check out the Hurricanes’ full class below:

Miami commitments by position

Quarterback
Four-star Dereon Coleman, No. 211 NATL. (No. 16 QB)

Running back
Four-star Javian Mallory, No. 305 NATL. (No. 21 RB)

Wide receiver
Four-star Vance Spafford, No. 105 NATL. (No. 12 WR)
Four-star Somourian Wingo, No. 139 NATL. (No. 20 WR)
Three-star Tyran Evans, No. 487 NATL. (No. 74 WR)

Tight end
Four-star Israel Briggs, No. 138 NATL. (No. 8 TE)

Offensive tackle
Five-star Jackson Cantwell, No. 3 NATL. (No. 1 OT)
Four-star Ben Congdon, No. 284 NATL. (No. 23 OT)

Interior offensive line
Four-star Joel Ervin, No. 328 NATL. (No. 28 IOL)
Three-star Canon Pickett, No. 746 NATL. (No. 71 IOL)
Three-star JJ Sparks, No. 805 NATL. (No. 81 IOL)
Three-star Rhys Woodrow, No. 841 NATL. (No. 83 IOL)

Defensive line
Four-star Anthony Kennedy, No. 391 NATL. (No. 40 DL)
Three-star Tyson Bacon, No. 873 NATL. (No. 86 DL)

EDGE
Four-star Asharri Charles, No. 201 NATL. (No. 25 EDGE)

Linebacker
Four-star Jordan Campbell, No. 185 NATL. (No. 23 LB)
Three-star Justin Edwards, No. 622 NATL. (No. 47 LB)

Cornerback
Four-star Jaelen Waters, No. 157 NATL. (No. 19 CB)
Four-star Jontavius Wyman, No. 275 NATL. (No. 26 CB)
Four-star Camdin Portis, No. 314 NATL. (No. 30 CB)
Four-star Brody Jennings, No. 370 NATL. (No. 36 CB)

Safety
Four-star Cortez Redding, No. 289 NATL. (No. 24 S)