Miami is still firmly in the mix for one of the biggest names in the 2028 recruiting cycle.
Five-star offensive tackle Antijuan “Shaq” Wilkes Jr. recently announced his top 12 schools, and the Hurricanes survived another major round of cuts as the race for the nation’s top offensive lineman begins to heat up.
The Detroit (MI) standout is currently ranked as the No. 6 overall player in the country and the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2028 Rivals300. At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, Wilkes already possesses the size that college coaches love. His length, athleticism, and power has made him one of the most heavily recruited prospects in the country despite still having multiple years remaining before signing day.
Miami joins an impressive group of programs still in contention. Wilkes’ top 12 consists of Miami, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, LSU, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Missouri. Nearly every school on the list has either competed for national championships recently or consistently recruits at an elite level, showing just how intense this battle is expected to become.
The Hurricanes are the only ACC program remaining on Wilkes’ list, while the SEC and Big Ten dominate the field. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Missouri represent the SEC, while Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Oregon represent the Big Ten. That leaves Miami standing alone as the ACC’s representative among college football’s traditional recruiting heavyweights.
Few coaching staffs in America have built a stronger reputation for developing offensive linemen than Cristobal and Mirabal. Throughout their careers, they have consistently produced NFL talent and built physical offensive lines capable of competing at the highest level. Recruits around the country have taken notice, and Miami’s recent recruiting success in the trenches has helped elevate the program back into conversations for elite national prospects.
Wilkes has a massive frame with plenty of room for continued development while already showing impressive movement skills for a player his size. Recruiting analysts have praised his ability to mirror pass rushers, finish blocks in the run game, and use his length to overwhelm defenders. Those traits are a big reason why he sits atop the offensive tackle rankings in the 2028 class.
The fact that Wilkes is ranked No. 6 overall regardless of position is also notable. Offensive tackles rarely receive the same attention as quarterbacks, wide receivers, or defensive playmakers in recruiting rankings, and for Wilkes to be placed in the top-10 really says a lot about this kids talent.
Of course, Miami still has a long way to go in this recruitment. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Michigan have proven time and time again of landing five-star offensive linemen, and several schools on Wilkes’ list are located much closer to his hometown of Detroit.
As Miami continues to build relationships with Wilkes and his family, the focus now shifts toward visits and maintaining momentum over the next several years. But making the top-12 is massive for Miami.
For now, Miami remains in the race for the No. 1 offensive tackle in America, and that’s exactly where Cristobal wants the Hurricanes to be as they continue stacking talent for the future.
Five-star offensive tackle Antijuan “Shaq” Wilkes Jr. recently announced his top 12 schools, and the Hurricanes survived another major round of cuts as the race for the nation’s top offensive lineman begins to heat up.
The Detroit (MI) standout is currently ranked as the No. 6 overall player in the country and the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2028 Rivals300. At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, Wilkes already possesses the size that college coaches love. His length, athleticism, and power has made him one of the most heavily recruited prospects in the country despite still having multiple years remaining before signing day.
Miami joins an impressive group of programs still in contention. Wilkes’ top 12 consists of Miami, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, LSU, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Missouri. Nearly every school on the list has either competed for national championships recently or consistently recruits at an elite level, showing just how intense this battle is expected to become.
The Hurricanes are the only ACC program remaining on Wilkes’ list, while the SEC and Big Ten dominate the field. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Missouri represent the SEC, while Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Oregon represent the Big Ten. That leaves Miami standing alone as the ACC’s representative among college football’s traditional recruiting heavyweights.
Few coaching staffs in America have built a stronger reputation for developing offensive linemen than Cristobal and Mirabal. Throughout their careers, they have consistently produced NFL talent and built physical offensive lines capable of competing at the highest level. Recruits around the country have taken notice, and Miami’s recent recruiting success in the trenches has helped elevate the program back into conversations for elite national prospects.
Wilkes has a massive frame with plenty of room for continued development while already showing impressive movement skills for a player his size. Recruiting analysts have praised his ability to mirror pass rushers, finish blocks in the run game, and use his length to overwhelm defenders. Those traits are a big reason why he sits atop the offensive tackle rankings in the 2028 class.
The fact that Wilkes is ranked No. 6 overall regardless of position is also notable. Offensive tackles rarely receive the same attention as quarterbacks, wide receivers, or defensive playmakers in recruiting rankings, and for Wilkes to be placed in the top-10 really says a lot about this kids talent.
Of course, Miami still has a long way to go in this recruitment. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Michigan have proven time and time again of landing five-star offensive linemen, and several schools on Wilkes’ list are located much closer to his hometown of Detroit.
As Miami continues to build relationships with Wilkes and his family, the focus now shifts toward visits and maintaining momentum over the next several years. But making the top-12 is massive for Miami.
For now, Miami remains in the race for the No. 1 offensive tackle in America, and that’s exactly where Cristobal wants the Hurricanes to be as they continue stacking talent for the future.
