DT:
Big class last year, but I expect another big one this year. Could be a little more star power here at both DE/DT after the dominance of our DL during the playoff run. Staff is evaluating, J Taylor and D.Lew have major juice, and now I expect to land more guys that they may need a little “less evaluation” for! I have a feeling this will be a very fun position to track this cycle and moving forward. 2 maybe 3 here, and obviously we are chasing some guys who you don’t turn down no matter what. Some local possibilities this year as well.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19981273/Jamar-Thompson
The guy locally for a couple seasons now. From RB Mallory’s state champion high school and already in the 290-300 range. I believe he is the best of the local options and that UM is the team to beat.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/26308227/Tyler-Alexander
https://x.com/SBYK99/status/2013639721159712896
(OL) Local kid who came from the UK and has played one year of football. Soccer background and played basketball this winter as well. Raw but very interesting prospect who UM likely wants to see a senior year form but the athleticism is there.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19965528/Jalen-Brewster (TX) Texas Tech Commit
UM is now being mentioned for the nation’s top defensive top defensive tackle prospect. Supposedly has a hell of an NIL deal from Texas Tech at the moment so won’t be easy, but UM and ND seem to be the only other schools he is listening to.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20026083/David-Folorunsho (IL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19549649/Brayden-Parks (IL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/22456419/Maleek-Lee
(DL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12248459/Montana-Toilolo (CA)
(DL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20111319/DeMarco-Jenkins (TX)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/21285299/Joshua-Johnson
(DL) From a part of Florida not known for major talent. Interesting DE prospect who plays all over the field for his HIS team. Big kid with the frame to grow into DT. Not sure if offer commitable at this point, but they definitely are watching.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20617983/Kindrid-Outland
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19611866/Ezekiel-Ayangbile (TX)
OTHERS: Seth Tillman (DL) Rock Hill, SC…. Jeremiah Williams Tustin, CA…. Markus Fakatou(DL) Orange, CA …. Kaiden Robinson-Vickers, Dunnelon
DE:
We are in play for some real whales here. The first 4 I have listed are what I consider the big 4 at this time, some of the best prospects I have seen in recent years. I expect JT and our NIL to land 1…If we land two from that group this is an absolute home run. But they are going to have a lot of money thrown at them as this is likely the most high paying position on defense so I think one is more realistic. Some interesting local kids too, although I don’t believe any can commit right now here Feb '26
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18897824/DJ-Jacobs (GA) OSU Commit
Consensus #1 Edge this cycle. The day of his commit there were crystal balls everywhere for UM. At the last minute, he flipped to OSU. Dad played for Richt at GA. I expect UM to recruit him for a long while and many think this isn’t over.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19528377/Kwame-Green-Jr (GA)
The “other” top ranked GA DE this cycle. Canes sitting in the top 4 and again any of these top 4 whales are welcomed.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19304058/Zyron-Forstall
IMG by way of Louisiana. Complete stud who reportedly has Tamu out in front. UM battling them and several other SEC schools.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20649913/Chris-Whitehead (VA)
Another of what is, imo, the big 4 studs. Has a brother who is a highly ranked OL next year.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19493829/Xavier-Perkins (NC)
(DL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/21073784/Marquis-Evans (AL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19811642/JT-Austin (GA)
(LB-DE) Undersized edge similar to Booker Pickett, Jr.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19296644/Xavier-Muhammad (TX)
(DL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20133523/Wyatt-Smith
(DL) Son of former 1st round pick and long-time NFLer Justin Smith. Not super twitchy, more of a SSDE prospect. UM seems very interested, but no offer just yet.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20421257/Trevoris-Finley
Another local who has been “offered” but I’m not sure if it’s committable just yet. Spent couple years at Chaminade, made a brief stop at STA this spring and now going to play his senior year at Carol City.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/16535144/Adriel-Rojas (GA)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19746113/Fred-Ards
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19499663/Braden-Gordon (AL)
(ATH)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/21130300/Mekai-Brown (CT)
New offer out…National top 5 player. Pretty close to that Big 4 group I mentioned above. Will visit.
OTHERS: Desmond Malpress, Jacksonville… Brian Demoss, Chicago…Calib St.Fleur, Chaminade…. Javion Herrington, West Boca… Chaz Gray (DL), Montvale NJ…Abram Sesay, Downington PA… Jaiden Bryant (DL), Columbia SC LSU Commit
LB
Outside of or possibly even including TE/IOL, I’d guess possibly the lowest paying NIL position and just don’t need as many on the roster as in the past. I’d wager we have 3 LB on the field about 15% of the times TOPS…Maybe more against more one dimensional running teams which there aren’t many on the schedule. We also have only 1 LB on the field probably about the same frequency or maybe even more than we have 3. I’d say 2 is the number with a chance of 3, lot of North Carolina targets early on and we did pull 3 kids from NC last cycle. Not much locally at least heading into spring.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19598396/Kaden-Henderson
Appears to be top target or at least high as anyone on our board. Explosive player, see him as a probable WILL and an effective blitzer, downhill player. Up against some heavy SEC competition.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19762053/Noah-Glover (VA)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20797419/Jalaythan-Mayfield (NC)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19651896/Tripp-Keller
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19805205/Aroson-Aj-Randle (NC)
Has played multiple positions on D but has a big frame and he’ll be in the 230s soon enough. Big time length and speed and UM appeared to be in early on him as recruitment is taking off.
Others: Jhadyn Nelson (ATH), Houston…. Mikhail Allen, Don Bosco, NJ… Quinton Cypher, Raleigh NC OSU Commit …. Deion Jackson, Vero Beach
DB:
Safety is probably the bigger need, but with so much gray area and the way nickle and more specifically “big nickle” are being used, versatility is as big a premium as speed, talent, etc. Etheridge did a hell of a job in his one year both coaching and recruiting (CB is now one of the biggest 2-3 strengths on the team, so it will be interesting to see Harris and whoever his new partner’s board looks like. I expect between 4 and 6, 6 may be pushing it barring big attrition, but that’s obviously a possibility.
--------Corners
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19927374/Sherrod-Gourdine
(CB/Nick) Local smallish kid that imo has a Te’corey Couch floor and perhaps even the next D’Angelo Ponds. Natural covers skills/instincts and physical for a smallish corner. UM the favorite.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530451/Zayden-Gamble
(DB) IMO the best overall DB in Sofla. UM has been on for a couple years now, but by no means is he a lock. I personally like him best at safety but could see him anywhere in the defensive backfield.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19499979/Akedran-AK-Crumel (NC)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19597108/Julius-Johnson (CA)
(ATH) Canes supposedly have a connection on the storied Long Beach Poly staff. Johnson was injured much of his junior year but is one of the most talented players in the country and looks equally good at WR/PR. Has another corner teammate listed below, ommitted to GA, both are top 50 type caliber players, both are visiting Miami.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530371/Donte-Wright-Jr (CA) Ga Commit
Lonshot teammate of JuJu Johnson listed above. He is more
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19548157/Keishjuan-Telfair (OH)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/23014225/John-Meredith (TX)
Nation’s top corner and on some lists a top 3 or 4 player. Won’t be an easy pull but he has a visit lined up and CMC supposedly wants him in this class and is personally recruiting.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530452/Jaden-Carey
https://www.hudl.com/profile/9823173/Joshua-Dobson (NC)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19062829/Quartavius-Lyons-Jr
Tall lengthy corner from Central (started at South Dade I believe) who recently re-classified to the 2027 class.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/23264561/Nash-Johnson (GA) *Alabama Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19376490/AiKing-Hall (AL)
Others: Amare Nugent, Plantation AH UF Commit…. Jacob Whitehead (DB), Don Bosco Cal…. Kamil Loud, Bishop Gorman LV… Hayden Stepp, Bishop Gorman LB… Bryce Williams, Hollywood Mcarthur…Blake Jenkins (DB), Katy Tx…. Traz Boyd(Nickle) , Hialeah Mater Academy