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. UM considered to be the team to beat here for a while, but now rumors are we may have cooled while other rumors hinting he may have put on some bad weight.
https://x.com/SBYK99/status/2013639721159712896 UF Commit
(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)
UM has made up major ground here and he was even quoted as saying as UM his top school, while ND (supposed leader) as just one of the top schools (take that working for what you will)…Huge talent who has shot up into national top50s this spring. Has mentioned playing against Justin Scott early in his HS Career in a couple interviews. GA, TT, Indy, ND all involved…While PSU and Michigan trying to make up ground.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19549649/Brayden-Parks (IL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19296644/Xavier-Muhammad (TX)
(DL) 2-sport kid continues to put on weight and seems to be a 3-tech all the way. Multiple UM visits and now up to 260. Wouldn’t shock to see him end up in Miami
https://www.hudl.com/profile/21285299/Joshua-Johnson UM Commit
(DL) From a part of Florida not known for major talent. Interesting prospect who plays all over the field for his HIS team. Big kid with the frame to grow into DT but can really move.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19611866/Ezekiel-Ayangbile (TX) UM Commit
NFL 15 year stalwart and NFL OT Duane Brown’s son becomes D-Lew’s first Texas commit. Brown played a year with D-Lew in Houston and that helped seal the deal. Nice get.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/22456419/Maleek-Lee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/25987888/Yahzeen-Zion (AZ)
(DL)
OTHERS: Kindrand Outland, Jacksonville Mandarin… Azahan Bacote (DL), San Antonio TX…King Thibodeaux, Garland TX …Xavier Perkins (DL), Durham NC VT Commit…
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 (have added Jaiden Bryant for a top 5), 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/18008781/Jackson-Vaughn (NJ)
Top 25 type player from 28 class officially reclassifies. UM/Aub/Notre Dame appear to be the 3 schools he is focusing on. Would be a major get and seems UM has a chance.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/21073784/Marquis-Evans (AL)
(DL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19525445/Sean-Fox (IN)
(LB/DE)
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. Of the local edge guys, Finley currently has the best chance to be in this class
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18525408/Jaiden-Bryant (SC) LSU Commit
Didn’t include him as one of my big 4 because I didn’t realize how hard we are recruiting him ever after his LSU commit, but let’s call it a top 5. Supposedly as high as any player on our board. Rueben Bain type build and game. It is big year for edge players in the high school ranks. CMC and JT Will go all out here, but it is going to take a lot to sway him from the SEC
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19352535/JaBarrius-Garror (AL)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18869644/Solomon-Efunbajo
(DL). Canes showing interest in Connecticut (originally Canada) transfer to Miami Central. No idea where he is on the pecking order.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/23358739/esa-wittingburg (NJ)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19655011/Jayvon-Dawson
(LB-DE) Fast rising PB county kid with some freaky reported measurables. Could see as either a Jack rushing LB or a DE.
OTHERS: Frederick Ards, Orlando Jones…Braden Gordon (ATH), Montgomery AL… Wyatt Smith, ST… Adriel Rojas, North Forsythe GA… Ba’roc Willis, Pell City AL… TJ Austin (LB/DE), Tyrone GA… KJ Stevenson Stone Mountain GA
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/16525014/Drew-Williams (GA)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19805205/Aroson-Aj-Randle (NC)
Has played multiple positions on D. 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.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19454809/Brooklyn-Maxey
(ATH). Interesting prospect with a ton of WR/returner highlights and has been used all over the back 7 on defense. UM prob needs to see some senior season.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20175843/Jarrell-Chandler (TN)
(S/LB)
Others: Jhadyn Nelson (S/LB), Houston…. Jordan Holman, Versailles KY…… Marshaun Ivey, St. Louis MO… Jack Wescher (ATH), Boca Raton St. Andrews
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 either 5 or 6, 6 may be pushing it barring big attrition, but that’s obviously a possibility. If some of the whales want to come on board they may even make room for 7.
--------Corners----------
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19927374/Sherrod-Gourdine UM Commit
(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. Update: Commits on 3/24, joins teammate Jones as Cane DBs and both sound solid.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530371/Donte-Wright-Jr (CA) UM Commit*
Monster flip from Georgia to UM. There was rumors of this building from early April on but it supposedly died down when UM was unable to pull Oregon’s (main competition along with GA) coach Wadood and hired Jefferson. Great job by Will Smith and CMC here for one of nation’s top corners.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530452/Jaden-Carey
https://www.hudl.com/profile/22787460/Zion-Davis
Another local re-classification. Transferring from Killian to Central. Seems like CMC is always a little delicate with the re-classes but imo this kid’s tape is really good.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/23264561/Nash-Johnson (GA)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/26528020/Gabriel-Osborne (OK)
(DB)
Others: Kayden Battle, Powder Springs GA… Josh Banks, Humble TX… Akaden Crumel, Clayton NC … Amaury Fountain, Warner Robins GA UF Commit… Keishjuan Telfair, Cleveland OH PSU Commit…Quartavius Lyons, Central
——Safeties———
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19945180/Jaylyn-Jones UM Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19428607/Andre-Hyppolite
(DB) Miami was on local two way player early. Hasn’t camped much yet. In today’s era it’s actually surprising he is still at NMB. Projects best at safety but not set in stone. Stock on the rise.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19530451/Zayden-Gamble ND Commit
(DB) IMO the best overall DB in Sofla. I personally like him best at safety but could see him anywhere in the defensive backfield. 4/25 Despite long, long relationship with UM, Gamble follows Julius Jones from STA to ND
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19760666/JayQuan-Snell (TX) Tamu Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/1844290/Bode-Sparrow (UT)
(ATH)
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24451385/68bda528311bcde4fa3af929
(DB) Recently transferred to strong West Boca team from Tennessee. I think he’s severely underrated, and honestly seems to be the closest thing to Keynote Scott of all our DB targets this class…Maybe the most versatile of our targets.
Others: Davion Jones, Charlotte NC Hough… lan Blackshear (DB) , Carol City… Kennedy Green, Douglasville (GA) …Mekhi Williams, Ruskin FSU Commit… Jeremiah Proctor (S/LB) Gainesville, GA… Torey Pittman III, Omaha NE Nebraska Commit
Skeeter, how good is he? Seems like he was a staff priority to be in this early in the class.