Welcome back, recruiting fans. It’s been a while, so let’s reset Miami’s 2025 recruiting class, and see where things go from here.

Hello, recruiting junkies. Been a while, I know. But, we’re here now, so let’s enjoy our time together!

Welcome back to the Class Breakdown, our look at the Miami Hurricanes’ 2025 recruiting class. I figured since we’re just off a bye week halfway through the season, and just under 2 months to National Signing Day on December 4th, now was a good time to do this.

REMINDER: recruiting is a fluid construct, and this list is not exhaustive. New names will pop up, and old names will fade away, over the course of this cycle. Which happens every year. And I wanted to remind you of that fact.

And away we go.

New World Order

So, a lot has changed since the last time I wrote one of these pieces. Mainly, the elevation of the Transfer Portal. It existed the last time I wrote this, but its importance has multiplied exponentially since then.

I could wax poetic about the proper philosophy for the portal in the overall scheme of roster construction and team building, I’ll keep it simple: the portal is where you go for superstars and to plug the holes on your current/next year’s roster. Kiko Mauigoa. Cam Ward. Matt Lee. Zach Carpenter. Players like that. The portal is the special seasoning sprinkled on top. The portal is NOT where you go to build the foundation of your roster.

Miami has been at the forefront of using the portal since it’s inception, and that hasn’t changed through the several iterations of the portal that we’ve already seen. Miami will continue to be among the top teams getting talent from the portal into the future. I’ll have portal centric content later in the year, when the needs are more known, and the list of available options develops as well. But I wanted to bring it up first, to let you know that yes, I know the transfer portal is a thing, yes, Miami will continue to leverage the portal to add players and build the best teams possible, but also reinforce the fact that team building and talent acquisition starts and is mainly based around High School recruiting.

Class Numbers

Here is the chart with the scholarship numbers as I see them for Miami in the 2025 cycle:

That’s where I’m starting from. Any spots not filled will likely be recruited over at the top of the roster through the transfer portal. Let’s look at each position and talk about it.

Quarterback

Need: 1

Committed: 1

Recruiting Rule #1 is that you have to have a QB in every recruiting class. For Miami in 2025, they’ve already got their man locked down.

Milton (GA) 4-star QB Luke Nickel has been committed to Miami since August 2023. He’s fully locked in with Miami, and Miami’s fully locked in with him. I’ll keep this section short and sweet: absent something truly shocking, Nickel is going to be Miami’s QB signee in this class.

As we look ahead to the 2026 class, Orlando (FL) Jones 4-star Dereon Coleman is already committed. He’s god a live arm, and like Nickel, Miami feels like they’ve identified a top talent early and got him committed to the Canes.

Running Back

Need: 1

Committed: 1

Miami’s running back room is loaded with 5 players who can play pretty much anywhere in America right now, and speedster in Chris Wheatley-Humphrey who’s redshirting this year as well, so they’re recruiting from a position of strength. And, in the effort to add to that positional strength, Miami has secured a commitment from Seffner (FL) Armwood 4-star RB Girard Pringle Jr.

Coming off a massive junior season — 1683 yards and 24 TDs rushing — Pringle Jr. brings elite ability to an already-stacked Miami RB room. Pringle is leading the way for the Armwood again this year, as they are undefeated and surely heading to the playoffs.

In the same vein as quarterback, Miami is pretty set with Pringle Jr. as the only back in this class. There are other options around, but at this point, none of them have really made a case for Miami to change course and add them to the 2025 recruiting class.

When you consider Miami will be (already is) all-in on Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 5-star ATH/RB Derreck Cooper in the 2026 recruiting class, taking only 1 RB in 2025 makes total sense. Have Pringle Jr. be the only back in his class, and then back that up with Cooper and likely another back in 26.

Wide Receiver

Need: 3

Committed: 2

After a solid haul in the 2024 class at receiver, Miami looks to continue to stack elite talent and rebuild the receiver room. Miami holds commitments from Pembroke Pines (FL) West Broward 4-star Joshua Moore and Phenix City (AL) Central 3-star Daylyn Upshaw.

Receiver is a position that has both undergone a change in the commit group. Former long time Miami commit Waden Charles was dropped by Miami earlier this year, and has since committed to UCF. And 2026 Plantation (FL) American Heritage 4-star receiver Malachi Toney, another longtime Miami commit, recently reclassified to 2025…and decommitted from Miami about a week later. Of those Toney is the one who is still a potential option, but things would need to shift dramatically to see a reconciliation between the parties. Toney visited Alabama directly after decommitting from Miami, so we’ll see how that goes for him.

Moore is a big bodied 6’4” 205lb receiver Miami just flipped from Florida a couple of weeks ago. He’s the crown jewel of this receiver group so far, and fills a need in this group for a big bodied prototypical X receiver. Moore is one of the many blue-chip receivers from South Florida this year, and it’s a great get for Miami, doubly so since they flipped him away from the Gators.

Upshaw is a record setting receiver who continues to dominate through his senior season.

Upshaw continues to SAY all the right things about being fully committed to Miami, but his actions could lend themselves to a bit of a different interpretation. Upshaw has reportedly taken multiple visits to local SEC school Auburn, and several people at his HS and in his circle are pushing for him to flip to the Tigers. It remains to be seen if that will happen. But, to this point, Miami is still operating as though Upshaw will be in this class with one caveat: if you’re looking, we’re looking. So, beware, kid.

Miami would love to add a third receiver in this class, and there are several options around. Most are currently committed to other schools, but that hasn’t stopped Mario Cristobal and staff in the past from getting who they want and need to build the roster to their liking. Here are a few names Miami is involved with to varying degrees: Tampa (FL) Tech 5-star Oregon commit Dallas Wilson, Orlando (FL) Jones 5-star Florida commit (and legacy) Vernell Brown III, Jacksonville (FL) Mandarin 5-star Texas Commit Jamie Ffrench, Seffner (FL) Armwood 4-star Georgia commit Tyler Williams, Milton (GA) 4-star FSU commit CJ Wiley, and Las Vegas (NV) 5-star LSU commit Derek Meadows.

Ffrench (yes, that’s the correct spelling) looks to be locked in with Texas, who he picked over Miami in the summer. Wiley is QB commit Luke Nickel’s #1 target at Milton, but he’s about to flip to Georgia by all accounts.

Brown III, Wilson, and Meadows are the ones that, at present, Miami likely has the best chance at making a move with. Florida is a dumpster fire so that opens the door for Brown III, whose HS QB is 2026 commit Coleman, so I’m sure there’s some peer-level recruiting going on there. Though Wilson has been steadfast in his commitment to Oregon, he’s also connected to Miami and UCF recently so there’s smoke there. And Meadows attends a national Miami recruiting stronghold that has produced many top FBS recruits, including Miami’s top rated commit at present. Both Wilson and Meadows fit the mold of the bigger bodies Miami is looking for to balance the receiver room after signing several smaller players over the last 2 cycles. Williams is teammates with RB commit Pringle, and another Miami Target (we’ll talk about him later) and is also on the board as a potential addition, but I’d prefer every other player on this list to him, if given the choice.

Tight End

Need: 2

Committed: 2

Another year, another elite haul at Tight End for Miami. Ho hum. Such is life for Tight End U.

Committed in this class are Leo (IN) 4-star Brock Schott and West Chest (OH) Lakota West 4-star Luke Gilbert. This is an elite pair of prospects, and adds to an embarrassment of riches that Miami has at this position. Schott is a 2-way monster at both DE and TE who could star at either position in college. Gilbert is another blue chipper, a 6’7” dual sport athlete (basketball) with room to grow into his frame even more. Both players have sky-high potential, great production and pedigree from the HS level, and add elite talent to the TE room for the future.

In short, Miami is adding 2 elite TE prospects to continue the tradition of Tight End U at Miami. Done and done.

Offensive Line

Need: 5

Committed: 5

Miami needs to continue to add depth and talent along the Offensive Line. That’s how they’ve built one of the best OL’s in America, and that’s how this unit will stay at an elite level for years to come.

Here are the commits for Miami along the OL in the 2025 recruiting class: Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman 4-star Seuseu “SJ” Alofaituli, Sanford (FL) Seminole 4-star Max Buchanan, Orlando (FL) Christian Prep 3-star Demetrius Campbell, Neptune Beach (FL) Duncan U. Fletcher 3-star Takaylen “TK” Muex, and Orlando (FL) Edgewater 3-star Jaden Wilkerson. Campbell and Wilkerson are the tackles, with Buchanan and Muex profiling as Guards, and Alofaituli as either Center or Guard, but definitely somewhere on the interior. Alofaituli is the highest rated commit in this class at present, so it stands to reason that he’s the crown jewel of the OL group to this point as well.

While Miami is happy with this group of players, there is potential to add more talent, or upgrade player for player with a higher caliber prospect.

Leading the list of potential flip targets is Jacksonville (FL) Raines 5-star FSU commit Solomon Thomas. FSU is a dumpster fire, and Miami is among several teams working hard to get him away from the Noles. Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 5-star Alabama commit Michael Carroll came to Hard Rock Stadium for the Ball State game, but it’s unlikely Miami will be able to make a move there.

If either (or both of) Thomas or Carroll wanted into this class, Miami would take their commitment and make it work. And, that would elevate this group in a needed way, since the elite OL class from 2023 — the one with 5-stars Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola — will be in their 3rd year on campus next year. We’ll see if there’s any further movement here with either of these players, or if another blue chip player (preferably a tackle) pops up onto the radar further down the line.

Defensive Line

Need: 5

Committed: 3

Miami’s defensive line has been among the best in the country over the past few years, and another crop of premium recruits up front in this class would help keep that going. Like Offensive Line, Miami needs to continuously bring in numbers and talent at this position year after year.

Currently committed to Miami in the 2025 class along the DL are: Savannah (GA) Benedictine Military Academy 4-star EDGE Herbert “Third” Scroggins III, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 3-star DT Donta Simpson, and Newberry (FL) 3-star DL Mykah Newton. Scroggins is the best player of this group, Simpson is yet-another Chaminade player coming to Miami (and he has another teammate committed as well), and Newton is an underrated playmaker who has been instrumental in his team pushing for a District Championship. All 3 would add quality talent and depth along the DL, but more is needed.

Primary among the list of targets is Savannah (GA) Christian Prep 5-star DL Elijah Griffin. A top 10 player nationally, Griffin is a monster at 6’5” 285lbs, and he’s just scratching the surface of his immense talent. This is shaping up to be a Georgia-Miami battle, but Georgia is getting a visit from Griffin on the weekend of his 18th birthday. Miami would need to get Griffin back down for another visit to have a real chance here, but they’re fighting until the end nonetheless.

Westlake Village (CA) Oaks Christian 4-star USC commit Hayden Lowe is another blue chip player Miami is pursuing. Miami came a close 2nd for Lowe when he committed to USC earlier this year, but they haven’t stopped chasing the 6’4” 242lb edge rusher. Lowe is on track to visit Miami for the FSU game — that game will be PACKED with recruits — and we’ll see what happens after that visit.

Newberry (FL) 4-star Ohio State DT commit Jarquez Carter is another player Miami is after. The Canes finished second for Carter when he committed to OSU, and they haven’t taken that as a final decision. Teammates with commit Mykah Newton, Carter could be yet-another late cycle flip from OSU to Miami, joining the likes of Mark Fletcher, Jordan Lyle, and Justin Scott in the last few years.

While the trio of Griffin, Lowe, and Carter lead the list of targets, Miami will be tireless in their pursuit of additional blue chip linemen to join this class. I wouldn’t be surprised if several other names come up over the next month and half before signing day on December 4th.

Linebacker

Need: 2

Committed: 2

Miami has done a great job reshaping the Linebacker room, elevating the level of talent and athleticism great from what it once was.

To continue that growth and progress, Miami has secured commitments from Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy 4-star Gavin Nix and Miami (FL) Central 3-star Ezekiel Marcelin. Nix is a 6’0” 224lb middle backer whose high IQ and instincts allow him to have a huge influence in the middle of the defense. Marcelin is a 6’0” 208lb outside backer who is well built for his age (saw him at a couple games, he’s shredded) and has the ability to run from sideline to sideline with ease.

Even with Nix and Marcelin committed in this class, Miami is looking for additional players who can continue to add blue chip talent to the LB room. Luckily for them, there area a few options they can make moves with.

First up is Seffner (FL) Armwood 3-star Kellen Wiley. A bigger player than either Nix or Marcelin, the 6’4” 225lb Wiley is a late riser — he’ll end up as a mid/high 4-star after the senior season re-rankings hit — who has garnered attention from teams all over the country. Good thing: Miami was the first major team to really push for the talented ‘backer, and if he were to make a commitment today, it would most likely be to the Canes. Wiley is HS teammates with RB commit Pringle and WR Williams, who holds a Miami offer as well. He, like many others, will likely come down to attend the Miami-FSU game on October 26th. If that happens, be on the lookout; a commitment could be coming soon.

The other player on the radar right now is Vero Beach (FL) 4-star Ohio State commit Tarvos “TJ” Alford. Like others I’ve spoken about in this piece, Alford had Miami in his final group before committing to OSU. But, with rumblings that Alford may not end up in OSU’s class for various reasons, and the fact that Miami hasn’t stopped recruiting the talented player throughout the season, there is a chance the Canes could spin the block here. And, with Miami’s penchant for flipping OSU recruits late in the cycle over the last few years (Mark Fletcher Jr., Jordan Lyle, Justin Scott), there’s plenty of reason to follow Alford’s recruitment from now until he signs…wherever that may be.

Defensive Back

Need: 6

Committed: 6

This is one of the recruiting positions of strength for Miami in this class. Yet and still, there’s PLENTY of room for improvement here. It’s not contradictory, I swear. You’ll see what I mean as we go through this section.

The commitments in this position group are as follows: at Cornerback, New Iberia (LA) Westgate 4-star Jaboree Antoine, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 4-star Chris Ewald Jr., Birmingham (AL) Parker 3-star Timothy Merritt, and Miami (FL) Central 4-star Amari Wallace. At Safety: Miami (FL) Columbus 4-star Bryce Fitzgerald, and Jacksonville (FL) Mandarin 4-star Hylton “Drake” Stubbs,

Antoine is a talented 6’1” corner from the heart of LSU country, so that will be a fight until he signs. Ewald Jr. is a 6’0” corner with long arms and elite performance, and is yet-another star from Chaminade, which is up there with St. Thomas Aquinas as recruiting factories go, The 6’2” Merritt stars at QB and DB for Parker, but he’ll transition to corner full-time in college. He has all the physical and athletic traits to make that move a good one in the long-run.

Wallace is the one with…a bit of a story. In South Florida, and all over the place, but that’s another story, teams get together for informal, off-the-books “scrimmages”, or joint practices. Miami Central had such a session against the Miramar Patriots (shoutout to my old job lol), and that’s when the story turns. Allegedly, during this joint practice/scrimmage event, Wallace was doing what he does, and broke on a pass and jumped up to make a leaping interception. Unfortunately for him, he landed badly and sustained a serious compound fracture to his leg, an injury that could cost him 2 years (this year and the next one) and there’s no guarantee he returns to the level of player he was pre-injury. There are differing accounts as to the conditions of the field, which may or may not have been the root cause of Wallace’s injury, depending on your view. Wallace’s parents have filed suit against Miami-Dade County Schools (because Central is a MDCS school) and Broward County Public Schools (because Miramar is a BCPS school), so this story isn’t ending anytime soon.

Miami will likely honor Wallace’s commitment, but, at this point, anything that Wallace can provide on the field in the future is an unexpected bonus as opposed to a certainty.

Fitzgerald and Stubbs are an elite duo at Safety. Both in the 6’1” 180-190lb range, they both affect the game from the deep secondary on a weekly basis. Miami would take another blue-chip player at this position if they wanted in, but they’re very comfortable with this pair of recruits at this position.

Offers/Targets

With a need for more talent in the secondary (even if Wallace were healthy), Miami will continue to push for several players who are committed elsewhere.

Leading the list is Zephyrhills (FL) 5-star LSU commit D.J. Pickett. The 6’4” Pickett committed to LSU over Miami and Oregon before the season, but Miami hasn’t stopped recruiting him for even one minute. With a cousin on the roster (Freshman EDGE/LB Booker Pickett Jr.), and another one trending toward Miami (2026 OT Canon Pickett), there’s plenty of reasons for DJ to become a Cane as well. There’s a debate over Pickett’s best and future position (is he a gigantic corner or a safety), but I’d rather just get him on the roster and figure it out from there.

Miami (FL) Booker T. Washington 4-star Florida CB commit Ben Hanks Jr. is another player that Miami’s been recruiting, and will continue recruiting. Hanks Jr. is a Florida legacy, same as receiver Vernell Brown (who I already mentioned earlier), but the Gators are a dumpster fire and that could open the door for Miami to spin the block. We’ll see what happens here, especially if (when) Florida fires Billy Napier.

Last up is Carrollton (GA) 3-star USC CB committ Shamar Arnoux. A 6’2” playmaker in the secondary, Arnoux is a player Miami has been recruiting for some time. With a clear desire to add size and skill in the secondary (all of the commits are 6’0” or taller except Wallace), Arnoux fits the mold well. Let’s see if he takes another visit, and what happens after that.

Could Miami kick the tires on others, like 5-star Alabama CB commit Dijon Lee or 4-star FSU commit Gregory Xavier Thomas or 4-star LSU CB commit Aidan Anding, or someone else? Sure. Those are longer shots than the trio listed above, however. But, remember: recruiting is a weird world and stranger things have surely happened.

Special Teams

Need: 0

Committed: 0

Miami is covered here for the next several years with kicker Abram Murray and punter Dylan Joyce.

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Whew. That was a lot, but that’s just the way recruiting goes.

Miami has precious few spots left in the 2025 recruiting class, but some pretty big holes to fill as yet. There’s been a great recruiting job so far to get the class where it presently stands, but there’s work yet to be done to get it where it needs to be in the end.

Thoughts? Questions? Comments? Concerns? Wanna tell me I’m stupid? Hop in the comments and get it off your chest!

Go Canes