'26 LB Justin "JJ" Edwards Flips to Miami from Rutgers

Sebastian Font

Jun 21, 2025 2 min read

Corey Hetherman has landed his first linebacker as the defensive coordinator at UM with 2026 JJ Edwards out of Orlando, Florida; flipping him from Rutgers.

A 6’1, 200 pound linebacker, Edwards excels with how he reads the game. He’s one of those linebackers that has discipline in following the ball, not getting overly caught up in the blockers.

Moreover, one of the intriguing aspects of his profile is his speed. Edwards ran a 4.57 verified time at the Under Armour camp, and it translates to game speed. He’s able to hold his own with receivers and keep up well, while simultaneously having the strength to shed blockers in the run game.

His testing numbers are elite across the board, combine that with his measureables and it becomes clear why Edwards was a must-get for the linebacker room. Edwards is seriously going to rise throughout his senior season all the way up to his arrival on campus next year.

The Edgewater product was offered after his unofficial visit back in April, and felt Miami “shocked him” upon his visit.

When speaking to him after his unofficial visit, Edwards elaborated on that shock factor and why Miami jumped to the top of his recruitment.

“They [Coach Cristobal and Hetherman] loved my film, and I loved their plan for me.”

He also gave insight to the roles that linebackers under Hetherman have, especially with how they’re spread across the field. Edwards loved what Hetherman had in store for him.

As previously mentioned, Edwards committed to Rutgers in early June, but the staff felt extremely positive about a flip back to Florida for the Orlando product who officially visited last weekend. This was a flip I also felt was inevitable, especially considering how Rutgers typically doesn't let their commits take OV's to other schools.

He becomes the fourteenth commit in Miami’s rapidly growing 2026 class, joining Jordan Campbell in the linebacker room. I expect more movement for the Hurricanes in the coming week, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

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Comments (171)

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Calinative

Jun 21, 2025

No_Fly_Zone said:
Head Coach.

We already are barely spending top 20 on HC. Where would you like us to rank in HC spend to get better results?

Calinative

Jun 21, 2025

Gables Canes said:
We’re not paying Mario 10M a year to flip 3 stars from Rutgers. Where are the blue chippers at WR and LB especially?

Have you told Mario he has received a 25% increase in his yearly pay? Lol. Y'all just be making **** up

fatnasty187

Jun 21, 2025

cway313 said:
I wish we could all agree to retire this slogan.

Like playing the Lotto. Lots of hope over testing numbers. Well see, but this has been the issue far too long.

MiamiVice7

Jun 21, 2025

You take a chance on him developing. And don’t forget we need guys like this on specials.

rsa coral gables

Jun 21, 2025

DMoney said:
Elite testing numbers, three-down ability to cover or rush, and they feel good about his frame seeing him in person. This is a Heatherman guy and Heatherman highly values verified testing.

Time will tell but they expect him to be a big riser.

thick and long?

and now a big riser?

what are we talking about here?

looks like a special teams player

Reyrey

Jun 21, 2025

cway313 said:
I wish we could all agree to retire this slogan.

Why. Please explain how it’s a bad thing

JamesQuall

Jun 21, 2025

Calinative said:
We already are barely spending top 20 on HC. Where would you like us to rank in HC spend to get better results?

Since you control the budget, why don’t you enlighten us?

CanefaninBuckeyeland

Jun 21, 2025

Reyrey said:
Why. Please explain how it’s a bad thing

k9cane

Jun 21, 2025

BeachCanes said:
Vincent Shavers was undersized and we dropped him. Hes now balling for Nebraska.

this is Lavonte David all over again!!

Calinative

Jun 21, 2025

JamesQuall said:
Since you control the budget, why don’t you enlighten us?

Ok, Don't worry about what Mario is making and our LB spend is perfectly adequate. Maybe once every 3 yrs you go for a stud lb. Otherwise, you get good to solid guys like we are. You just want to significantly upgrade our LBs room Intelligence and athleticism.

JHallCanes

Jun 21, 2025

I’m just gonna go ahead and let Heatherman cook on these LBs before I say too much

I’ll say I like the approach though

cway313

Jun 21, 2025

Reyrey said:
Why. Please explain how it’s a bad thing

Because it is over used and rarely ever comes to fruition. Most importantly it doesn't matter. If he comes from a 3* to a 4* what does it change?

k9cane

Jun 21, 2025

his floor is Jarell or Jermell Weaver..

his ceiling is Darrel McClover...

TexasCane90

Jun 21, 2025

Welcome young man

Not seeing Denzel Perryman in his highlights… LB recruiting has been head scratching for awhile dating back to radio…

No_Fly_Zone

Jun 21, 2025

Calinative said:
We already are barely spending top 20 on HC. Where would you like us to rank in HC spend to get better results?

Not entirely sure. What does Rhett Lashlee make?

BALLHAWKU

Jun 21, 2025

JHallCanes said:
I’m just gonna go ahead and let Heatherman cook on these LBs before I say too much

I’ll say I like the approach though

Yeah Schiano is a defense coach and if he wanted he’s probably has a lot of up .

No_Fly_Zone

Jun 21, 2025

Calinative said:
Ok, Don't worry about what Mario is making and our LB spend is perfectly adequate. Maybe once every 3 yrs you go for a stud lb. Otherwise, you get good to solid guys like we are. You just want to significantly upgrade our LBs room Intelligence and athleticism.

What is UM football's 2025 budget for LBs?

Reyrey

Jun 21, 2025

cway313 said:
Because it is over used and rarely ever comes to fruition. Most importantly it doesn't matter. If he comes from a 3* to a 4* what does it change?

Can you give an example or two.

What difference does it make? I mean idc about rankings. But a riser is someone who has got better vs peaked early in hs. I’d rather a bunch of players that have gotten better throuhg senior year, especially vs the rest of their class, than not.

But you do you.

Last edited: Jun 21, 2025

bdcane4eva

Jun 21, 2025

Corey flagg could bench press this guy...

JHallCanes

Jun 21, 2025

BALLHAWKU said:
Yeah Schiano is a defense coach and if he wanted he’s probably has a lot of up .

It’s possible I suppose

Just saying Heathermans specialty is linebackers so if he’s got a type he envisions I’m willing to kick back and see how it plays out

Lord knows we have been terrible recruiting the position for a long time