Local Five-star WR Calvin Russell talks being a 'hometown hero' and recaps official visit

Sebastian Font

Jun 15, 2025 3 min read

The Miami Hurricanes are looking to end the misery of losing elite skill position talents from South Florida, and one of their main targets is five-star WR Calvin Russell. A Miami Northwestern product, the 6-foot-5 pass catcher also picked up an offer on the court from Jai Lucas as Miami looks to pull all the strings to keep him home. This will be a battle all the way until his July 5th commitment date and beyond, and I was able to catch up with him following his official visit. Here’s what Russell had to say:

Overall Recap from his visit:

“It was a nice visit. I got to know Miami a bit better, had a decent amount of fun, a decent bit of information. It was a great visit.”

“I really got to see the more versatile part of the program, like its fun and business at the same time.”

“I definitely feel better about Miami.”

On the staffs pitch to stay in Miami & his relationship with Malachi Toney:

“That this is home, like this is where I gotta be.”

“Mali’s my brother, so it's like, he wants me to be in the best place for myself. He definitely let me know, like if we together, we’re gonna push each other a lot.  We're gonna push each other till we can't push each other no more.”

On the basketball side of his recruitment:

“[Basketball] is important in my decision, so we definitely talked about it. We got things right, and that's how it's going.”

(Mentioned wherever he’s going he will be playing basketball as well)

“I talked to coach Lucas. We sat down, and we had a talk. It was like everything went hand in hand, so it wasn't really a problem.”

On his recruiting process and timeline:

“Just going through the process and when I get done with my OV’s I’ll think about it more.”

“Oregon definitely made a great impression,  Miami, LSU as well. I’m looking for who’s genuine and got a great plan for me and it's gonna help me push myself and take care of my family.

“After I commit, everything is all about ball.”

On what it would mean to stay in Miami to play for the U:

“Oh, it would mean a lot, 'cause I know I could be a neighborhood hero. I know the whole of Miami would love me, Miami got my back, so I feel that would mean a lot.”

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305 MOUNTAIN MAN

Jul 1, 2025

We’re not paying all that money so he can fa la la and decide if he wants to be a BB player or actually dedicate himself to football.

S
swag0618

Jul 1, 2025

Problem2 said:
View attachment 329227 View attachment 329228

Good for Miami, break the bank for Keys, Russell is good but not 5 star good, his speed is questionable too

TakeitinDiaz

Jul 1, 2025

305 MOUNTAIN MAN said:
Michigan thinks he’s the next AC, let’s see how many of you young whipper snappers on here know who that is.

Slater?

Canesince02

Jul 1, 2025

gogeta4 said:
restrepo just went off two years in a row where do yall think he is from?. our 2 best wrs last year were from Lauderhill and Coconut Creek. BROWARD COUNTY

Respectfully Restrepo was a UDFA. If Jeremiah Smith was doing what he doing in orange and green it would encourage a different type of athlete to do the same. Smith went to OSU because of Olave Harrison Wilson etc. Can’t really sell a receiver recruit on being the next Restrepo

DrNovaCane

Jul 1, 2025

Canesince02 said:
Respectfully Restrepo was a UDFA. If Jeremiah Smith was doing what he doing in orange and green it would encourage a different type of athlete to do the same. Smith went to OSU because of Olave Harrison Wilson etc. Can’t really sell a receiver recruit on being the next Restrepo

Though I generally agree with you that we can't "sell" X per se...

We should be able to sell "WR production" and under Dawson because it's been consistently good

Even with the golf pro...

That's gotta hold sway until we can breakthrough with the big names...

Canesince02

Jul 1, 2025

DrNovaCane said:
Though I generally agree with you that we can't "sell" X per se...

We should be able to sell "WR production" and under Dawson because it's been consistently good

Even with the golf pro...

That's gotta hold sway until we can breakthrough with the big names...

Sure and I think that played a part in Spafford and Evans. Now Imagine Jo Jo puts up Restrepo numbers… I think that makes a difference for kids like Keys and Russell.

3
305407cane

Jul 1, 2025

Canesince02 said:
Sure and I think that played a part in Spafford and Evans. Now Imagine Jo Jo puts up Restrepo numbers… I think that makes a difference for kids like Keys and Russell.

Restrepo had first round stats. And a waitress’ 40 time

Calinative

Jul 1, 2025

So he's either picking Syracuse, Oregon, or LSU. Syracuse most likely if he actually picks among those 4 "top" schools. LSU most likely if he's just trying to pull a "surprise"...

Just go after Keys and try to re-enter the recruitment of Feaster. Honestly those are the two we should have our entire focus on right now imo.

But some are saying there is Buzz for Michigan and that he's following Underwood or some ****. Not like they don't have money.

D
DemCanes10

Jul 1, 2025

CJ is laughing at this stuff...he is not telling you what you want to hear. He is playing the game

786Cane

Jul 1, 2025

305 MOUNTAIN MAN said:
Delusional if anyone thinks M is going to build a downfield passing attack, it will never happen. The entire M culture is built around ground n pound. They will never throw the ball on a consistent basis. The M powers will not let it happen. Have M peeps in my inner circle, they are great people, it’s an iconic program, best fan base in CFB, but they won’t throw it, just that simple.

Member when they tried that with Rich Rodríguez?

Jul 1, 2025

Calinative said:
So he's either picking Syracuse, Oregon, or LSU. Syracuse most likely if he actually picks among those 4 "top" schools. LSU most likely if he's just trying to pull a "surprise"...

Just go after Keys and try to re-enter the recruitment of Feaster. Honestly those are the two we should have our entire focus on right now imo.

But some are saying there is Buzz for Michigan and that he's following Underwood or some ****. Not like they don't have money.

Neither of those two are coming to Miami.

Page305

Jul 1, 2025

Jit just not like that. Y'all are so admired by him because of his height I guess.
Thank you Mario for seeing the light

S
skeeter

Jul 1, 2025

Just starting to feel like FSU to me.

Reyrey

Jul 1, 2025

skeeter said:
Just starting to feel like FSU to me.

gogeta4

Jul 3, 2025

252cane said:
Ahhh so this the problem. He probably ****ed miami ain’t offering him a huge bag. And that says a lot and tells you how they truly feel about him

I've stated this Mali toney got a bag ..he and Mali are tight. He n his camp would likely expect around that same amount or to leverage that amount.

Notice the schools that pop fro him then fall by the wayside after visits.

You give him the same amount u have Mali he's a cane. As stated they don't likely see him as warranted for that amount at this point...that could change though

J
Jesscane

Nov 17, 2025

Dropped big time by Rivals. Now at 214 in their player rankings. Derrek Cooper is at 216. Maybe our staff knows what they’re doing

BeastMode

Nov 17, 2025

Jesscane said:
Dropped big time by Rivals. Now at 214 in their player rankings. Derrek Cooper is at 216. Maybe our staff knows what they’re doing

They threw numbers at the OL. If 2 to 3 before all-caliber guys you call it a hit for the class. Will still hit the perks for a center and another OL.

Miami is possibly losing 4 of 5 starters off the OL and potentially all 4 of the DL. Portal will be smashed for sure