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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Comments (300)

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TheOriginalCane

Jun 16, 2025

cway313 said:
You are a complete piece of ****. Instead of looking for my posts to respond to find someone that gives a **** about your opinion. I think you are a complete scumbag. That is the post, that is the conversation. Go **** yourself.

I don't need to "look for your posts to respond to find someone that gives a ****".

I'm just responding to your trash posts.

You've already proven your character. I won't waste words on that subject.

Go write some more garbage about how we should look inside the hearts and minds of recruits and surrender the recruiting efforts on the ones who are not sufficiently "legitimately interested" in Miami, as if that can even be determined at the easy certainty that you mislead people into believing.

27,000 garbage posts, and counting, for you, Manny.

C
Caneofcanes

Jun 16, 2025

TheOriginalCane said:
You can always tell when someone doesn't understand the situation, as with this post.

As just one example, #2 is part of the problem.

I'm not going to say anything further, because those who know already know, and the know-nothings are going to continue to yap about irrelevant **** like "feeder school".

I hope that things end up going in Miami's favor, but this is more complicated than screaming out "No excuses!".

Without exposing sensitive info. What else could it be? I mean if the boy just doesn’t want to be here I get it. Sounds like there are underlying factors.

Ispyin

Jun 16, 2025

Quite eloquent and originalLol

Last edited by a moderator: Jun 16, 2025

TheOriginalCane

Jun 16, 2025

OrangeBowlMagic said:
Then take the L and move on. Backfill with equivalent talent. Allocate resources to other areas to make a complete recruiting class. But saying it's not an L because of any reason is just disingenuous. He's a good player, we want him in the class, we're pushing for him in the class. Him not being in the class is an L.

If Mario is the recruiter many of us think he is, it won't crush us. Losing kids like Jeudy, Ridley etc etc etc etc etc killed us because those would have been program trajectory changing players here, and we didn't sign anyone else in that realm. If you're going to lose on Russell, whatever these "weird" reasons are, then you better get someone just as good in his place.

Yes. That is what will happen if Russell goes elsewhere. Not sure what resources have been allocated. We haven't paid Russell his NIL yet. We've devoted some time and attention. And recruits are smart enough these days to realize when they are our backup plan.

It's no secret that Russell is a priority. If his mother wants him to go elsewhere because she doesn't think that family friend Kevin Beard will ever coach him, and if that factor gets in the way of an otherwise great situation for Calvin, then we move on. Not sure if there is "equivalent talent" immediately, but we will fill the roster through HS and/or Portal recruiting no matter what.

cway313

Jun 16, 2025

Ispyin said:
Quite eloquent and originalLol

Episode 8 Nbc GIF by America's Got Talent

C
Caneofcanes

Jun 16, 2025

TheOriginalCane said:
Yes. That is what will happen if Russell goes elsewhere. Not sure what resources have been allocated. We haven't paid Russell his NIL yet. We've devoted some time and attention. And recruits are smart enough these days to realize when they are our backup plan.

It's no secret that Russell is a priority. If his mother wants him to go elsewhere because she doesn't think that family friend Kevin Beard will ever coach him, and if that factor gets in the way of an otherwise great situation for Calvin, then we move on. Not sure if there is "equivalent talent" immediately, but we will fill the roster through HS and/or Portal recruiting no matter what.

Ok I can see the reservations right there. It may be a hold up due to KB may be replaced one day. Well like people say relationships matter and if they a strong relationship with KB. Him leaving or not being here could impact that decision. I know they say don’t commit to coaches, but the school. It’s the coaches that draw the kids to the school though. TRICKY situation if that’s it.

TheOriginalCane

Jun 16, 2025

Caneofcanes said:
Without exposing sensitive info. What else could it be? I mean if the boy just doesn’t want to be here I get it. Sounds like there are underlying factors.

There are underlying factors. This could still go in our favor. Let's discuss this further when we have some certainty, because we don't want overly-sensitive cway313 to be triggered by all the "excuses" that we aren't making.

TheOriginalCane

Jun 16, 2025

Caneofcanes said:
Ok I can see the reservations right there. It may be a hold up due to KB may be replaced one day. Well like people say relationships matter and if they a strong relationship with KB. Him leaving or not being here could impact that decision. I know they say don’t commit to coaches, but the school. It’s the coaches that draw the kids to the school though. TRICKY situation if that’s it.

Yes.

And it is so funny that you say "commit to the school" (not a comment about you personally). Absolutely. The school where Calvin's mother is in the Sports Hall of Fame. But apparently that isn't enough.

I'm frustrated. I know it's a failure if things don't work out. No excuses. If anyone wants an explanation, they can always DM me so that cway313 is not offended. I realize he prefers Manny Garcia Surrender-Style recruiting, but I'm not down with that.

Last edited: Jun 16, 2025

cway313

Jun 16, 2025

TheOriginalCane said:
There are underlying factors. This could still go in our favor. Let's discuss this further when we have some certainty, because we don't want overly-sensitive cway313 to be triggered by all the "excuses" that we aren't making.

And yall make fun of Gaby?

PUNCICANE

Jun 16, 2025

OrangeBowlMagic said:
That's not what anyone with a brain is saying. As always, people are unable to see gray areas, or understand nuance.

I am saying if we don't sign the kid, it's a failure. FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL KID. Because of the circumstance. He's a legacy, he's local, he's an elite prospect, he plays at a major position of need and one of the most important positions on the field, and he's the exact type of kid we've missed on for 10+ years and that we brought Mario here to sign.

That's it. That's all anyone with a brain is saying. If you can't close on this kid, someone we are absolutely prioritizing, and going aggressively after, then it's a failure. IT. Not the whole class, not the trajectory of the program for the next 5 years. JUST THIS KID would be a failure if you allow him to go elsewhere. I don't give a **** about "we tried". Try harder. Win. Hold him hostage. I don't care....you either win or lose in this game. If this kid doesn't sign here, you lost.

Would the loss be softened by signing the #1 class in the country? Obviously. But if Calvin Russell signs with another school, it's a recruiting L because he's one of your highest priority recruits, and he went somewhere else. This really isn't even a genuine discussion.

Its been made clear that the kid will go in exchange for the biggest bag and yet Everything in life is a value proposition. If the kids needs x amount of money and attention, yet you don’t believe that’s his value… then paying not paying it is not a failure.

OrangeBowlMagic

Jun 16, 2025

PUNCICANE said:
Its been made clear that the kid will go in exchange for the biggest bag and yet Everything in life is a value proposition. If the kids needs x amount of money and attention, yet you don’t believe that’s his value… then paying not paying it is not a failure.

Couldn't possibly disagree more but I'm tired of this topic. Y'all got it from here.

CaneTheGaytors

Jun 16, 2025

Don’t see him picking the good guys.

He had a “decent” time. Not a good look. Next.

A
Alex_Dynamix

Jun 16, 2025

Calinative said:
The goal is to sign an elite class at as many positions as we can, obviously Wr is included in that. It's not loser mentality to think you likely only have the capability to sign 1 top WR recruit though. It's a fail if we don't land ANY top WR, regardless who it is. Again, if we land Keys, saying they failed to land Russell would be a joke. Its simple as that. Yeah would it be nice to land all the 5star talent WRs? obviously. But thats not realistic, while also landing Cantwell, James Johnson, hopefully Lamar Brown, Derrek Cooper, etc. So instead of saying The staff either fails or succeeds at WR recruiting based exclusively on Calvin Russell, how about it's based on if they land an elite WR recruit or not...

I'd say its extremely doubtful LSU lands Keys, Russell, AND Jabari Mack. And they're currently viewed as the leader for Feaster. They aren't going to get all those guys. Which to me means A&M is probably going to win for Feaster. And then ultimately its probably going to be us and LSU splitting Keys/Russell.

Spot on post.. acting like its a fail if we dont get russell if we land Keys, Spafford, Wingo etc is hilarious kid seems like he's just not all that interested cant force him to come lol

JHallCanes

Jun 16, 2025

1murhurricane said:
Not popular opinion but KB a liability in recruiting. I've said it a few times... dude is weird AF. He can coach his *** off but his recruiting game is weak sauce. This why I'm cool take Lopez, spafford and the NC kid.

I said before but he’s like the girls *** best friend

Receivers all say he’s such a nice guy and they love him

But he ain’t a threat and he’s not fuccin

bdcane4eva

Jun 16, 2025

PUNCICANE said:
We can end up with a top 5 class including the #1 recruit in the nation, but If we don’t get this kid we’ll still have fools saying Mario is a bum for not closing on him.

I'll be quite happy if that bum can get us a top 5 class!

cway313

Jun 16, 2025

Alex_Dynamix said:
Spot on post.. acting like its a fail if we dont get russell if we land Keys, Spafford, Wingo etc is hilarious kid seems like he's just not all that interested cant force him to come lol

Whiteknighting101. When you have no ******* clue what a discussion is about, but you know your calling is to defend Mario. Change the whole conversation to something not being discussed in order to be right.

Calinative

Jun 16, 2025

cway313 said:
Whiteknighting101. When you have no ******* clue what a discussion is about, but you know your calling is to defend Mario. Change the whole conversation to something not being discussed in order to be right.

It's so funny that you call this white nighting and defending Mario when you are quite literally doing the opposite. The funny thing is you ACTUALLY agree given you literally have already stated you would take Lamar Brown if it meant losing Russell, AND I'd expect you to agree that A) you would 100% take Keys over Russell given the choice, and B) It would be a massive surprise to be able to sign both given how many other top guys we are in at other positions (and DMoney even said as much about that).
So tell me how all those things can be true yet you aren't just being a Mario hater to make everything and anything a colossal failure lol.

It's simple if we don't land Russell AND don't get a top WR recruit, that then is a failure to land Russell. If we don't get Russell but we did get Keys, it's no longer a fail.

A
Alex_Dynamix

Jun 16, 2025

cway313 said:
Whiteknighting101. When you have no ******* clue what a discussion is about, but you know your calling is to defend Mario. Change the whole conversation to something not being discussed in order to be right.

you got it bruh lol smh I hope he ends up a cane btw

cway313

Jun 16, 2025

Calinative said:
It's so funny that you call this white nighting and defending Mario when you are quite literally doing the opposite. The funny thing is you ACTUALLY agree given you literally have already stated you would take Lamar Brown if it meant losing Russell, AND I'd expect you to agree that A) you would 100% take Keys over Russell given the choice, and B) It would be a massive surprise to be able to sign both given how many other top guys we are in at other positions (and DMoney even said as much about that).
So tell me how all those things can be true yet you aren't just being a Mario hater to make everything and anything a colossal failure lol.

It's simple if we don't land Russell AND don't get a top WR recruit, that then is a failure to land Russell. If we don't get Russell but we did get Keys, it's no longer a fail.

I don't hate Mario. I hate the performance Mario has had over the course of 3 seasons. I hate the goal posts you guys move and the restructuring of facts. I hate the reduced standard placed on Mario. If Mario wins the ACC this year he can soften my stance. If we dont land Russell then his recruitment was a failure. I don't have a high opinion of him so this isn't bias. I'd trade Russell for a lot of players.

A
Alex_Dynamix

Jun 16, 2025

Calinative said:
It's so funny that you call this white nighting and defending Mario when you are quite literally doing the opposite. The funny thing is you ACTUALLY agree given you literally have already stated you would take Lamar Brown if it meant losing Russell, AND I'd expect you to agree that A) you would 100% take Keys over Russell given the choice, and B) It would be a massive surprise to be able to sign both given how many other top guys we are in at other positions (and DMoney even said as much about that).
So tell me how all those things can be true yet you aren't just being a Mario hater to make everything and anything a colossal failure lol.

It's simple if we don't land Russell AND don't get a top WR recruit, that then is a failure to land Russell. If we don't get Russell but we did get Keys, it's no longer a fail.

We could land 6 5stars including keys & these dudes will still complain about Calvin Russel because he's a 5star from Miami lol smh.