After securing Jackson Cantwell in the 2026 Class, Miami is looking the land the best prospect in America twice in a row.
DJ Jacobs, Jr., the number one player in America according to 247 Sports, is zeroing in on a final decision. And the Miami Hurricanes are in a position to close.
On the latest CanesInSight podcast, DMoney from CanesInSight made it clear that Miami has real momentum in the battle for the five-star edge. Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M are all pushing for the rare talent out of the Peach State.
“Six-five, 210, 215,” DMoney said. “A complete freak of nature out of Atlanta, Georgia. Just electrifying explosiveness and speed.”
The comparisons are lofty for the top-ranked player in the country.
“Abdul Carter type of profile. Maybe a little taller at 6-5, wingspan closer to average,” he said. “Look at the power he plays with. He’s got tremendous bend, but he also has that power.”
What stands out most is how Jacobs attacks contact.
“A lot of these lean pass rushers are trying to slip blocks,” DMoney said. “This guy goes right through if he needs to. He delivers on impact. He’s a striker.”
And the production backs it up.
“Junior year: 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 16 sacks,” DMoney said. “Career: 292 tackles, 67 tackles for loss, 31 sacks. He’s been starting since his freshman year.”
Jacobs is, of course, no secret to recruiting services.
“247 has him as the No. 1 player in the country,” DMoney said. “Rivals has him No. 19. ESPN has him around No. 10. But no matter how you slice it, he’s a top-10 national player.”
“Miami’s defensive ends are playing at the best level of anybody in the country,” DMoney said. “You see what Bain and Mesidor are doing.”
His position coach is also a factor.
“Jason Taylor has a similar build to DJ Jacobs,” he said. “That Hall of Fame credibility appeals to him.”
Coach Heathermen's scheme is also a check in Miami's favor.
“Georgia doesn’t let their defensive ends loose like this,” DMoney said. “They’re more about being block eaters. Travon Walker is a great example. Look how he rushed in college versus the NFL.”
Jacobs wants to hunt quarterbacks now.
“A guy like DJ Jacobs is saying, ‘I want to get after the quarterback in college. I don’t need to wait until I get to the pros,’” DMoney said. “That helps Miami.”
“Georgia is not spending a ton of money on high school kids NIL-wise,” he said. “That hurt them with Cantwell. It’s hurt them with a lot of guys.”
He pointed to the numbers.
“They only signed one top-10 player in the state of Georgia last year.”
Miami is being aggressive at the high school level, particularly at the premium positions.
“When you’re spending money on offensive linemen and defensive linemen — left tackles, edge rushers — you get them in high school,” DMoney said. “Because once they get to college, they don’t leave.”
And if they do?
“If they hit the portal and they’re good, the numbers are astronomical,” he said.
“It was awesome, man,” Jacobs said. “The crowd was electric. It was just an awesome time being down here.”
The defensive line stood out.
“They come off the ball and they attack,” Jacobs said. “They don’t let anyone stop them. They were dominating last night.”
The atmosphere at the school also appealed to him.
“The students staying around on campus,” he said. “That means a lot. When the students like the place, that means it’s a good place to be.”
Jacobs knows what he brings to the defensive line room.
“Fast, physical, and just electric on the field,” he said. “And I hustle.”
Miami's staff left an impression.
“Coach was awesome,” he said. “Great coaching staff. Great people in the building.”
“If Miami were to land DJ Jacobs and Mark Matthews (#2 player nationally on Composite),” he said, “you’re talking about arguably the two top players in the country on both sides of the line.”
Such early success could set Miami up for an elite haul.
“You start there and now you’re in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall class in the country,” he said.
Closing on players like those two would also bolster Mario Cristobal's case as an elite recruiter.
“Before, you had to sell hope to kids like Bain and Mauigoa,” he said. “Now you can sell Bain and Mauigoa. Three-year starters. First-round picks. Three-and-done.”
And that’s why Miami feels different in this race.
“We’re feeling very, very good about where Miami stands,” DMoney said.
youtube.com/watch?v=_SL3dIul4FY&themeRefresh=1
DJ Jacobs, Jr., the number one player in America according to 247 Sports, is zeroing in on a final decision. And the Miami Hurricanes are in a position to close.
On the latest CanesInSight podcast, DMoney from CanesInSight made it clear that Miami has real momentum in the battle for the five-star edge. Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M are all pushing for the rare talent out of the Peach State.
“Six-five, 210, 215,” DMoney said. “A complete freak of nature out of Atlanta, Georgia. Just electrifying explosiveness and speed.”
The comparisons are lofty for the top-ranked player in the country.
“Abdul Carter type of profile. Maybe a little taller at 6-5, wingspan closer to average,” he said. “Look at the power he plays with. He’s got tremendous bend, but he also has that power.”
What stands out most is how Jacobs attacks contact.
“A lot of these lean pass rushers are trying to slip blocks,” DMoney said. “This guy goes right through if he needs to. He delivers on impact. He’s a striker.”
And the production backs it up.
“Junior year: 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 16 sacks,” DMoney said. “Career: 292 tackles, 67 tackles for loss, 31 sacks. He’s been starting since his freshman year.”
Jacobs is, of course, no secret to recruiting services.
“247 has him as the No. 1 player in the country,” DMoney said. “Rivals has him No. 19. ESPN has him around No. 10. But no matter how you slice it, he’s a top-10 national player.”
Why Miami’s Pitch Hits Different
Jacobs is paying attention to how he’ll be used, and Miami’s message lines up with his playing style.“Miami’s defensive ends are playing at the best level of anybody in the country,” DMoney said. “You see what Bain and Mesidor are doing.”
His position coach is also a factor.
“Jason Taylor has a similar build to DJ Jacobs,” he said. “That Hall of Fame credibility appeals to him.”
Coach Heathermen's scheme is also a check in Miami's favor.
“Georgia doesn’t let their defensive ends loose like this,” DMoney said. “They’re more about being block eaters. Travon Walker is a great example. Look how he rushed in college versus the NFL.”
Jacobs wants to hunt quarterbacks now.
“A guy like DJ Jacobs is saying, ‘I want to get after the quarterback in college. I don’t need to wait until I get to the pros,’” DMoney said. “That helps Miami.”
NIL Is Changing the Math
DMoney didn’t dance around the money side.“Georgia is not spending a ton of money on high school kids NIL-wise,” he said. “That hurt them with Cantwell. It’s hurt them with a lot of guys.”
He pointed to the numbers.
“They only signed one top-10 player in the state of Georgia last year.”
Miami is being aggressive at the high school level, particularly at the premium positions.
“When you’re spending money on offensive linemen and defensive linemen — left tackles, edge rushers — you get them in high school,” DMoney said. “Because once they get to college, they don’t leave.”
And if they do?
“If they hit the portal and they’re good, the numbers are astronomical,” he said.
What DJ Jacobs Jr. Said After Notre Dame
After Miami’s win over Notre Dame, Jacobs spoke with DMoney on campus and made it clear the experience hit.“It was awesome, man,” Jacobs said. “The crowd was electric. It was just an awesome time being down here.”
The defensive line stood out.
“They come off the ball and they attack,” Jacobs said. “They don’t let anyone stop them. They were dominating last night.”
The atmosphere at the school also appealed to him.
“The students staying around on campus,” he said. “That means a lot. When the students like the place, that means it’s a good place to be.”
Jacobs knows what he brings to the defensive line room.
“Fast, physical, and just electric on the field,” he said. “And I hustle.”
Miami's staff left an impression.
“Coach was awesome,” he said. “Great coaching staff. Great people in the building.”
Why This Recruitment Matters
DMoney framed what landing Jacobs would mean.“If Miami were to land DJ Jacobs and Mark Matthews (#2 player nationally on Composite),” he said, “you’re talking about arguably the two top players in the country on both sides of the line.”
Such early success could set Miami up for an elite haul.
“You start there and now you’re in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall class in the country,” he said.
Closing on players like those two would also bolster Mario Cristobal's case as an elite recruiter.
“Before, you had to sell hope to kids like Bain and Mauigoa,” he said. “Now you can sell Bain and Mauigoa. Three-year starters. First-round picks. Three-and-done.”
And that’s why Miami feels different in this race.
“We’re feeling very, very good about where Miami stands,” DMoney said.
youtube.com/watch?v=_SL3dIul4FY&themeRefresh=1
