Miami’s football program, led by head coach Mario Cristobal, has secured its third consecutive top-10 recruiting class during the early signing period. The Hurricanes added 30 new players from across the United States, with the class ranked 10th nationally and first in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) according to 247 Sports.
This marks the fourth year in a row that Miami’s recruiting class is rated as the best in the ACC and among the nation’s top 15 under Cristobal’s leadership. “We’re getting to where Miami needs to be,” Cristobal said. “You always want to land somewhere in the top 10. … If you go by the ratings, by player, it’s a top six class, as good as six or between six and nine or eight, whatever it may be. But that’s not what’s important to us. On our board, you want to always land within a range of guys you feel can help you win a conference championship and a national championship and everybody we signed was above that line.
“We’re not going to sign a guy to provide just depth. There’s no value in that. This day and age of the transfer portal, [if a] guy sits behind somebody for too long and [is] not contributing, you’re not going to keep them. And with the way NIL works, all you’re doing is burning cash. So, we always want to mitigate those expenses by taking guys and bringing in guys that understand they have to work and earn a position, but also guys that have the ability and mentality to be able to get on the field.”
The incoming group includes 16 defensive players and 14 offensive players: seven defensive linemen, six offensive linemen, six defensive backs, four wide receivers, three linebackers, two tight ends, one quarterback, and one running back. Players come from 12 states; Florida leads with 14 signees while others hail from California, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Delaware, Kentucky, Kansas, Alabama and New Jersey.
Six recruits are ranked among the nation’s top ten at their positions. Five-star offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell from Missouri is ranked No. 7 overall nationally by 247 Sports. Four-star prospects Somourian Wingo (wide receiver), Milan Parris (wide receiver), Keshawn Stancil (defensive lineman), JJ Dunnigan Jr. (safety), and Gavin Mueller (tight end) are also included.
Cristobal noted Cantwell’s size—almost 6-foot-8 inches tall and weighing 328 pounds—and athletic achievements: “[He’s] 6-7.75… shattered the country’s record for the shotput… both parents are Olympians… I think he had 400 pancakes in his high school career… Beyond his years in terms of football IQ… Exceptional student… Relentless competitor.” He added Cantwell has an NFL-level wingspan of about 83–84 inches.
Cristobal also praised other new offensive linemen Joel Ervin, Rhys Woodrow, JJ Sparks, Ben Congdon and Canon Pickett for their work ethic: “It’s not just Jackson; it’s the entire offensive line class. This is as excited as I’ve ever been about a group of offensive linemen as I’ve ever been… They’re all legitimate workers… They understand ball… They understand the intangibles that come with being a great football player…”
Quarterback recruit Dereon Coleman was compared favorably with former Miami quarterback Cam Ward: “We had him in camp… he reminded us a lot actually of Cam Ward… because of the different arm angles he could get the ball out… exceptional football IQ…” Cristobal said Coleman possesses strong improvisational skills.
Freshmen contributed significantly this season for Miami; Malachi Toney earned ACC Rookie of the Year honors while Girard Pringle Jr., and Bryce Fitzgerald were also key contributors on offense and defense respectively.
“We don’t discriminate when it comes to playing time… If you can play… we’re going to find a spot for you…” Cristobal said regarding young talent development.
Cristobal celebrated additional achievements including back-to-back ten-win seasons—the first such streak since 2002–03—and several individual awards: Toney was named ACC Rookie of the Year; Rueben Bain Jr., Defensive Player of the Year; Francis Mauigoa won ACC Jacob Blocking Trophy; nineteen Hurricanes made All-ACC selections.
“It was really neat watching these guys over… show up to games… connect with our players,” Cristobal said about new signees joining Miami’s roster. “There’s some unbelievable times coming for University of Miami…”
