Miami legacy DB Ryan Mack signs with Hurricanes: "It’s the perfect place to grow as a person and a player"
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas three-star defensive back Ryan Mack could arguably have more Miami ties than anyone in the Hurricanes’ 2024 signing class.
Mack, who is listed as a cornerback in the On3 Recruiting Database and will play nickel back for Miami, is the son of Rod Mack, the head coach of the Miami Gardens Ravens youth football team and a former Hurricane himself. Ryan played on a Ravens youth football team alongside elite South Florida players like No. 1 overall prospect Jeremiah Smith, four-star Miami receiver commits Joshisa Trader and Chance Robinson, three-star cornerback Romanas “OJ” Frederique and three-star running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey.
Rod has also remained well connected to the program over the years and had multiple players ultimately recruited by Miami, so Ryan has remained more than familiar with the Hurricanes’ staff. So when he decided to commit in late June, without taking an official visit to Miami, he knew Coral Gables would be his home.
Ryan hadn’t seriously entertained another school for months before he signed with the Hurricanes Wednesday, and Pittsburgh was the last school to receive a visit from him when he took his official visit in late June. He committed to Miami just after his official visit to Pitt, telling CaneSport he felt Coral Gables was the right fit for him.
Mack is now confirmed signing with Miami.
“I feel The U is right for me because the coaching staff is extremely supportive and I know their goals align with mine,” Ryan told CaneSport. “…I know they’re going to prioritize me, and I think it’s the perfect place to grow as a person and a player.”
Ryan played across St. Thomas Aquinas’ secondary at both cornerback and in some safety and nickel back roles, but Miami always communicated its intent to put the 5-foot-11 DB at nickel. He also spent his senior year playing alongside Frederique in St. Thomas’ secondary and felt he was fully locked in with Miami by the start of August.
Ryan also took multiple game-day visits to Miami and regularly reaffirmed his commitment to the Canes. He made CaneSport’s midseason list of Miami commits who had stood out most halfway through the fall season, and he helped lead St. Thomas to yet another state title. He took his official visit to Miami during the final recruiting weekend before signing day, reaffirming his commitment to Miami one final time before his official signing.
Ryan will be a summer enrollee.
CaneSport’s Take
Ryan is one of our favorite high-floor prospects in this year’s class, and he plays like a recruit who has received a particularly high level of coaching for most of his young career. Ryan also has deceptive top-end speed and has the ability to run with nearly any receiver, and he could be one of the faster players on Miami’s team once he steps on campus.
