On 3 Roundtable: Talking Miami’s impact freshmen and prospects for a Top 10 recruiting class

On3 imageby:Gary Ferman05/27/23

CaneSport

The Miami Hurricanes signed the nation’s No. 6 recruiting class last cycle, and CaneSport’s Gary Ferman joined the On3 Roundtable, saying he sees several players from that class who can make an immediate splash.

“You have to start with Francis Mauigoa, a five-star offensive tackle who was running first team in spring practice for Miami,” Ferman said. “It’s a fair assumption he’ll be in the starting lineup this fall. But I don’t think they will be shy about playing some of these other elite freshmen they signed. Ray Ray Joseph I expect to be a big part of the Miami offense. I haven’t ruled out Samson Okunlola starting at left tackle. I think it’ll all be dependent on his development.”

Both Mauigoa and Okunlola were five-star signees. And the above trio of true freshmen that Ferman mentions were all on campus competing this spring after enrolling early.

A guy that wasn’t on campus? Running back Mark Fletcher, who wasn’t able to enroll early. But given there is only one non-freshman/redshirt freshman running back on Miami’s roster – returning starter Henry Parrish – there’s every chance Fletcher will have an immediate sizable role.

“Miami needs a big running back – Mark Fletcher as he is arriving on campus this summer will get every chance to work himself into the lineup as well,” Ferman said.

Then there’s the current recruiting class.

Miami’s not shying away from chasing top talent. And that includes the nation’s No. 1 rated On3 prospect, DE Dylan Stewart. The Recruiting Prediction Machine currently has Miami (23.2 percent) narrowly trailing Ohio State (34.3 percent) and Alabama (30 percent).

“I think they are right there in the mix,” Ferman said of the chances for Miami with Stewart. “A year ago when we were looking at 5-star players Miami was recruiting, the great emphasis was on offensive linemen. …. I think you’re going to see something very similar happen this year. Dylan Stewart has made multiple trips down here, is very strongly considering Miami. I think Miami is all in on defensive linemen this year the way they were on the offensive line last year. Mario Cristobal is building this program from the inside out, which is the only way to build a successful program.”

Ferman said that while there isn’t a ton of action with landing top talent yet in the 2024 class that “you’ll see that change in June.”

He anticipates “several commitments” as next month goes along and says he would not be surprised if “two five-star defensive linemen are among them.”

The bottom line in 2024 recruiting?

Ferman says “This is typical Mario Cristobal recruiting – he builds steam as it goes along. He wants to do a good job of evaluating, make sure of the character of the kids he’s bringing into his program. The only way you can do that is with multiple exposures.

“You’re going to have all these  kids on campus in June , and last year was when they made the move in June as well. I’d say Miami will get 8-10 commitments in the month of June. I think there will be some big names on that board and I think it will propel them in the recruiting rankings up into the top 10.”

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