National CFB Expert Steve Wiltfong Believes Miami Is A Dark Horse To Be The No. 1 Recruiting Class
3 min read
National college football expert Steve Wiltfong, from On3, mentioned on his show "Wiltfong Whiparound" yesterday that the Miami Hurricanes and coach Mario Cristobal could be a dark horse contender for the No. 1 recruiting class by the end of the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Here is what Wiltfong has to say exactly:
"Miami is the dark horse for On3's No. 1-ranked recruiting class. You have LSU leading the pack right now. They are the favorite, obviously, then you have USC in the equation, but Ohio State in the No. 3 slot is an interesting program to keep an eye on for the No. 1 ranked recruiting class, but Miami is in the back of the top ten right now. They linked in Jackson Cantwell. If they can hit big for some of the targets visiting this weekend, they can make a run for No. 1. Tristen Keys headlines the list as the No. 3 player overall for the On3 Industry. This is his third time in Coral Gables this calendar year. He and his family loved the prior two experiences: the vibe around campus, Coach Cristobal, and the energy he brings to the program. Kevin Beard, the wide receivers coach, and the way he's been able to develop wide out and then the offense's the No. 1 passing offense in the country this past year, the explosive playmaking ability wide receivers have at Miami, and then again what the Hurricanes bring off the field for NIL opportunities standpoint, they are right there for Tristen Keys who was back at LSU this past weekend he’s going to take his last official visit this summer to LSU. He still says its going to take a lot to flip him from the Tigers but Miami is one of the programs that I think is right there in the middle of it to do so Tennessee swinging, Alabama swinging, the Aggies are still in there Auburn is still in there, but Miami their visit this calendar year you cannot sleep on The U for Tristen Keys looking forward." Said Wiltfong.
Wiltfong also commented on five-star Miami Hurricanes running back prospect Derrek Cooper, who is expected to return to the Hurricanes' campus this weekend. Here is what he had to say:
"This recruitment is one of the marathons of the 2026 cycle. Miami is equipped to run this race; they got the right shoes, they got the right inner juice, and they are going to be there. Georgia and Ohio State are two of the other front-runners for Derrek Cooper. He had a great official visit to Auburn a couple of weekends ago, but Miami is one of the most coveted targets regardless of the position, and they are going to remind him this weekend of all the South Florida greats that have played that position at Miami and if you look at their depth chart right now, it is Florida guys floorshape in the running back room right now at Miami. Miami is the slight On3 RPM favorite. I like that right now, going into the official visits. There were times when I liked Georgia in this recruitment. I certainly am not sleeping on the Buckeyes, but Miami fully vested all in on Derrek Cooper." Said Wilfong.
Currently, for the On3 rankings, the Hurricanes are ranked as the No. 7 class in the 2026 rankings, headlined by the No. 1 player in the class in Jackson Cantwell. Miami is also headlined by Jordan Campbell, Jaelan Waters, Dereon Coleman, Jontavius Wyman, and Ben Congdon.
You can find the video of the interview here:
Here is what Wiltfong has to say exactly:
"Miami is the dark horse for On3's No. 1-ranked recruiting class. You have LSU leading the pack right now. They are the favorite, obviously, then you have USC in the equation, but Ohio State in the No. 3 slot is an interesting program to keep an eye on for the No. 1 ranked recruiting class, but Miami is in the back of the top ten right now. They linked in Jackson Cantwell. If they can hit big for some of the targets visiting this weekend, they can make a run for No. 1. Tristen Keys headlines the list as the No. 3 player overall for the On3 Industry. This is his third time in Coral Gables this calendar year. He and his family loved the prior two experiences: the vibe around campus, Coach Cristobal, and the energy he brings to the program. Kevin Beard, the wide receivers coach, and the way he's been able to develop wide out and then the offense's the No. 1 passing offense in the country this past year, the explosive playmaking ability wide receivers have at Miami, and then again what the Hurricanes bring off the field for NIL opportunities standpoint, they are right there for Tristen Keys who was back at LSU this past weekend he’s going to take his last official visit this summer to LSU. He still says its going to take a lot to flip him from the Tigers but Miami is one of the programs that I think is right there in the middle of it to do so Tennessee swinging, Alabama swinging, the Aggies are still in there Auburn is still in there, but Miami their visit this calendar year you cannot sleep on The U for Tristen Keys looking forward." Said Wiltfong.
Wiltfong also commented on five-star Miami Hurricanes running back prospect Derrek Cooper, who is expected to return to the Hurricanes' campus this weekend. Here is what he had to say:
"This recruitment is one of the marathons of the 2026 cycle. Miami is equipped to run this race; they got the right shoes, they got the right inner juice, and they are going to be there. Georgia and Ohio State are two of the other front-runners for Derrek Cooper. He had a great official visit to Auburn a couple of weekends ago, but Miami is one of the most coveted targets regardless of the position, and they are going to remind him this weekend of all the South Florida greats that have played that position at Miami and if you look at their depth chart right now, it is Florida guys floorshape in the running back room right now at Miami. Miami is the slight On3 RPM favorite. I like that right now, going into the official visits. There were times when I liked Georgia in this recruitment. I certainly am not sleeping on the Buckeyes, but Miami fully vested all in on Derrek Cooper." Said Wilfong.
Currently, for the On3 rankings, the Hurricanes are ranked as the No. 7 class in the 2026 rankings, headlined by the No. 1 player in the class in Jackson Cantwell. Miami is also headlined by Jordan Campbell, Jaelan Waters, Dereon Coleman, Jontavius Wyman, and Ben Congdon.
You can find the video of the interview here:
