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/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/20111319/DeMarco-Jenkins (TX) UM Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/24667559/Jeremiah-Mark MS’
Canes as well as Miss St. and couple other SEC/ACC schools were making a move here for late-blooming Dt. Injured during senior year, not sure if we follow through.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20180280/Kennan-Burtch (GA)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19981273/Jamar-Thompson (GT Commit)
Local DT that UM has recruited and led for for a long time, but kinda passed on him as senior approached. Has had dominant senior year and reportedly is in better condition. Has a lot of fans, including me.
OTHERS: Yaheem Zion, Goodyear AZ Wisconsin Commit… Kasi Currie, Chatsworth CA Texas 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/20421257/Trevoris-Finley WVU Commit
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/18525408/Jaiden-Bryant (SC) UM 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 (But 2 inches taller) and game and flips to UM!
https://www.hudl.com/profile/21073784/Marquis-Evans (AL) Auburn Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19655011/Jayvon-Dawson UM Commit
(LB-DE) Fast rising PB county kid with some freaky reported measurables. Could see as either a Jack rushing LB or a DE.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/26837991/Tyreon-Howard
DL/TE. First year football player (sounds like some off the field issues as an early teen). Tape is exploding, UM has “offered”, and he may be a serious backup plan if we can’t flip Jacobs. The tools and frame are there and I think his offers continue to explode.
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 Tamu Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19762053/Noah-Glover (VA) UM Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19805205/Aroson-Aj-Randle (NC) UM Commit
Has played multiple positions on D as well as some running QB on offense. Has a big frame and he’ll be in the 230s+ soon enough. Big time length and speed. UM made him a top target before he started blowing up and it all pays off with 5-21 commitment.
Others: Aston Whiteside LB/ATH, Burleson TX Tamu Commit
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.
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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 OSU Commit
The word is UM MAY have taken Carey, but it’s a different ballgame with NIL oday and they simply weren’t going to offer him what they were tier 1 corner guys.
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19376490/AiKing-Hall (AL) UM Commit
UM working hard to flip Bama stud from Oregon. Will Harris west coast ties and new pit bull Jefferson whale hunting at corner. Flip completed 5/17!!
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18445689/Amir-Sears UM Commit
(ATH)
https://www.hudl.com/profile/22227786/Erik-Walden-Jr (TN) Oregon Commit
Others: …Quartavius Lyons, Central… Nash Johnson, Powder Springs, GA Georgia Commit…
——Safeties———
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19945180/Jaylyn-Jones UM Commit
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19428607/Andre-Hyppolite UM Commit
(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. 6/14 stock rose all spring, now rated a clear cut 4* everywhere and commits to UM!
https://www.hudl.com/profile/21845241/Justice-Jones
(WR/DB) Son of former UM RB Larry Jones playing in Palm Beach County . Having a big senior year on both sides of the ball and Canes may take a flyer.
Others: Zayden Gamble (DB), STA ND Commit…
Skeeter, how good is he? Seems like he was a staff priority to be in this early in the class.