Miami hosted one of its biggest recruiting events of the spring on Saturday, bringing in blue-chip prospects from across the country for a pool party. @Sebastian Font was on the scene and the joined the CanesInSight Podcast to discuss what he saw. A transcript of the discussion is below.
DMoney: Let’s start with the overall feel of the event before we get into specific players. This was a different kind of recruiting weekend. It wasn’t just guys showing up, watching practice, and leaving. What stood out to you from the atmosphere and the setup?
Sebastian Font: It was definitely more informal than a lot of the other visits. Usually, these guys get in, watch practice, and get out, but this was much more of an all-day thing. They were doing campus tours, going to the pool party, hanging around the facility, and that gave us more opportunities to talk to a lot of them.
We’re probably going to have around 20 interviews with top prospects going live on the site and on social media this week, so there’s going to be a lot coming out of this event. But the biggest takeaway for me was how impressed these guys were, not just with the event itself, but with the staff and with practice.
When you talked to them, the first things they brought up were the energy in practice, the energy from the coaches, and the physicality. At the end of the day, people talk about NIL, money, and fit, but what these guys kept coming back to was development. That’s the word you keep hearing over and over, and I think that’s what’s pushing Miami in the right direction with a lot of these blue-chip recruits.
DMoney: Let’s talk DJ Jacobs. He didn’t do interviews, but obviously he’s one of the biggest names there. What did you pick up just from observing him?
Sebastian Font: First thing, he absolutely looks the part. He’s every bit of his listed size. When you see him, you think blue-chip edge rusher immediately.
Since he wasn’t doing interviews, you had to watch how he moved and who he was around, and from that standpoint, he looked like he was having a great time. He was all smiles, throwing up the U, joking with staff members, and seemed really comfortable. You mentioned Akheem Mesidor being there, and even having those kinds of guys around matters when you’re talking about development.
He is committed to Ohio State, so that’s still the biggest factor here, but Miami clearly has momentum. He had been leaning Miami before that commitment, and that’s part of why the Hurricanes still feel like they have a real shot in this one.
DMoney: Another name that jumped out was Marcus Fakatou from the West Coast. What did you get from him?
Sebastian Font: He was one of the more interesting interviews because he said getting down to Miami kind of came together unexpectedly. He found time in his schedule to make it happen, and he absolutely loved it.
He had great things to say about the staff and especially about coach Kiki [Misipeka]. He talked about Miami trying to build that California and Poly pipeline, and you could tell that resonated with him. What stood out to me too is that even though he lives in California now, he made it clear he doesn’t necessarily see himself as a guy who has to stay home. He’s originally from Alaska, and he said he could see himself coming to this side of the country.
He reclassed from 2028 into 2027, so Miami is getting into that recruitment a little later than some schools, but I’ve heard nothing but good things coming out of this visit. They’re really pushing there now.
DMoney: Jaden Upshaw is another one who seems to be trending heavily toward Miami, and obviously the family tie with Daylyn Upshaw stands out. What did you learn there?
Sebastian Font: Coming out of that interview, it really felt like Miami and Texas A&M were the two big schools. He’s got a top group, but those were the two that really felt strongest.
The Miami connections matter a lot. He talks to Daylyn all the time. He talks with Coach Beard, with Mali, and he already has relationships with guys in that receiver room because of those ties. That really stands out.
And when you have someone like Malachi Toney in the program, it helps recruiting nationally. We talk about his impact a lot, but it still might be underrated. Recruits can look at him and say, “That’s what it looks like here. That’s how they use guys. That’s the kind of player I can become.” That carries real weight.
DMoney: Speaking of skill talent, what about Myson Johnson-Cook?
Sebastian Font: Really good vibes there. He’s a bigger back, and he talked about how a lot of schools don’t necessarily value that type of runner, but Miami does. He sees how physical they are up front and how a bigger back like Mark Fletcher fits in their offense.
I asked him if he had talked with Mark, and he said they’ve been in contact and Mark has been helping him through the process. That matters. When you’re talking about a back with that kind of size and speed combination, that’s the ideal profile. Coach Upshaw was talking the other day about what he wants in a running back, and honestly it sounded a lot like Myson Johnson-Cook.
He’s also from Illinois, and with Izzy Abrams now committed, that Midwest connection matters. He was smiling when we talked about that.
DMoney: Jaiden Bryant is another huge one on the defensive line. What impression did you get there?
Sebastian Font: He definitely looks the part too. When you see his frame, you understand why people think so highly of him.
He’s committed to LSU, and I do think that’s a tougher battle than some of the other recruitments. I didn’t come away feeling like Miami was in the lead there. It felt more like LSU is still the team at the top and Miami is trying to stay right there and keep pressure on.
But he was having a good time, he seemed to be interacting well with other recruits, and Miami is definitely still in it. In recruiting, you can’t rule anything out. I just think that one is a real battle.
DMoney: What about Asher Ghioto, the 2028 defensive end who could eventually reclassify?
Sebastian Font: He had a ton of energy. I asked him a few questions and he gave long, detailed answers. He had nothing but glowing things to say about Miami, especially Jason Taylor.
He’s very serious about development. He flat-out said that Jason Taylor develops guys every year and sends them to the NFL every year, and that development is crucial for him. He’s still very open overall because he has a huge offer list, but Miami and Clemson were two schools he mentioned specifically.
He had dinner with coach Taylor the night before and talked about that relationship. And physically, he’s absolutely a guy who could reclassify and handle it. Miami is in a really good position there.
DMoney: Jalaythan Mayfield is another linebacker Miami has been on for a while. What stood out with him?
Sebastian Font: He talked really well about Coach Hetherman and how he sees himself fitting in the defense. He liked being able to watch practice and really pay attention to the linebacker play in scrimmage settings.
That’s one of the interesting parts of talking to recruits after these practices. Sometimes they’ll tell you a lot about what they saw. With Jalaythan, the biggest thing was that he still felt like a priority, even though Miami is recruiting a wide group of linebackers right now. He understands where he stands, and he made it clear Miami is a serious contender for him.
DMoney: Let’s stay on the defensive front with Xavier Perkins.
Sebastian Font: Great kid. Really good kid. Family and culture matter a lot to him, and that came through in the conversation. He talked about Miami and Virginia Tech as two places that feel family-oriented to him, and that really stands out in his recruitment.
It feels very close between those two schools right now. Honestly, it feels like a coin flip at the moment. He also seems ready to make a decision soon. He was talking like that could happen quickly.
As a player, you love the traits. The heavy hands, the track background, the versatility. He’s one of those guys you’d really like to land.
DMoney: What did you think of Jaxon Dollar?
Sebastian Font: He had a lot of energy. Everybody was joking around because he was one of the guys making a scene at the pool, doing flips and just having a good time.
But on the football side, it was really useful to ask him about the tight ends coach transition. He had good things to say about coach Vitti. He described him as direct and honest, and that matters. There were people wondering about an offensive line coach moving into that role, but from Jackson’s perspective, that transition has gone well.
He said he’s narrowed things down, and Miami is firmly in that smaller group. He’s another guy who sounds like he could move relatively quickly because he knows schools are starting to identify their take list and he doesn’t want to wait too long.
DMoney: What did you hear from Osani Gales?
Sebastian Font: I don’t think Miami is leading there right now. He talked about Alabama, Tennessee, Washington, and some other schools, and it feels like Miami still has ground to make up.
But one thing that stood out again was how these receivers talk about Coach Beard. The word they keep using is “real.” They see him as honest and straightforward. That’s important. You’re seeing that pay off already at the position with the kind of traction Miami is getting.
DMoney: Juju Johnson is another interesting defensive back target. What was your read there?
Sebastian Font: Oklahoma feels like a major player there, but Miami is definitely battling. He mentioned Miami, Oklahoma, UCLA, Nebraska, and Michigan, so there are a lot of schools involved.
He talked really well about Will Harris and the relationship there. Again, trust came up. A lot of these recruits are trusting Miami’s coaches not just to develop them as players, but to help them grow off the field too. Miami may not be in the lead there today, but they’re in the fight.
DMoney: What about Ezekiel Ayangbile?
Sebastian Font: He’s another guy I want to study more on film, but the visit went well. Like a lot of the defensive linemen, he talked about the aggression and physicality in practice. He was another one bringing up development and speaking highly of both Jason Taylor and Damione Lewis.
He made it clear he enjoys being recruited by Miami and feels like he’s learning from the best. He also sounds like a player who may not drag things out forever. That one could move sooner than later too.
DMoney: And Jamar Thompson locally?
Sebastian Font: That one still feels pretty open. He’s local, but his recruitment feels national right now. He looks like exactly the type of defensive tackle body you want to keep home, but I didn’t come away from that conversation feeling like it was close to done.
What did stand out was him talking about Javian Mallory and watching his development. Seeing a local player grow in Miami’s system right in front of him could matter.
DMoney: Let’s finish the recruiting section with Miami commit Ah'Mari Stevens.
Sebastian Font: Good overall vibes. We talked some about Izzy Abrams and how excited he was to have the quarterback in the class committed already. He said they’ve been texting and talking, and that’s something he clearly likes.
At the same time, I do think his process is still open. He’s committed, but I don’t think this is fully shut down. LSU feels like a school to watch there. He’s still going through things.
What you do like is that he’s recruiting for Miami. He’s trying to bring other guys in, talking to them, using the same kind of points the staff used with him. That matters in a class like this.
DMoney: On the whole, what was your takeaway about the type of players Miami is recruiting right now?
Sebastian Font: Even before you talk to them, you can see it. These guys look the part. Some of the offensive linemen out there were massive. The defensive line targets looked like major college players. It just looks right.
And when you talk to them, they’re thoughtful about the process. They’re not just doing this for attention. They care about development, fit, and finding the right place. Miami may not land every one of these guys, but these are exactly the kinds of recruitments you want to be in.
You want your logo in those top groups. You want elite players taking Miami seriously. That matters for the whole perception of the program and for future cycles too. Weekends like this tell you a lot about where the program is, and right now Miami looks healthy.
DMoney: Let’s shift to practice. From what I saw, the first-team offense looked sharp, the offensive line is ahead of where I expected, and some of the recruits seemed to back that up with what they were saying. What did you hear?
Sebastian Font: A lot of the defensive line recruits were talking about Justin Scott, Armando Blount, and Marquise Lightfoot. Those names kept coming up.
From what I’ve seen personally, and from what recruits were saying, the wide receiver room looks really strong too. There’s a lot of talent and a lot of depth there. You see guys like Cooper Barkate and Josh Moore making plays, and then you have the veterans and portal additions too. That room is loaded, and Darian Mensah is going to have plenty of options.
DMoney: Any freshmen stand out to you?
Sebastian Font: JJ Dunnigan is the obvious one, but sometimes the obvious answer is the right answer. He just looks different. I remember a couple of reps where he came on nickel blitzes and looked like he was shot out of a cannon.
With those tools, it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field. Whether it’s safety, nickel, or a combination, he’s going to help somewhere.
DMoney: I also thought Milan Parris looked the part physically, and Vance Spafford keeps flashing. Do you see it the same way?
Sebastian Font: Definitely with Milan. He has the size, and he’s made some nice catches in the practices I’ve seen. He’s one of a lot of talented receivers in that room.
With Spafford, I love watching him run routes. He’s really quick, really fluid, and he’s going against physical corners. He’s not going to win every rep as a freshman, but he’s getting open and getting opportunities. And the speed is real. That part cannot be overstated.
DMoney: Let’s start with the overall feel of the event before we get into specific players. This was a different kind of recruiting weekend. It wasn’t just guys showing up, watching practice, and leaving. What stood out to you from the atmosphere and the setup?
Sebastian Font: It was definitely more informal than a lot of the other visits. Usually, these guys get in, watch practice, and get out, but this was much more of an all-day thing. They were doing campus tours, going to the pool party, hanging around the facility, and that gave us more opportunities to talk to a lot of them.
We’re probably going to have around 20 interviews with top prospects going live on the site and on social media this week, so there’s going to be a lot coming out of this event. But the biggest takeaway for me was how impressed these guys were, not just with the event itself, but with the staff and with practice.
When you talked to them, the first things they brought up were the energy in practice, the energy from the coaches, and the physicality. At the end of the day, people talk about NIL, money, and fit, but what these guys kept coming back to was development. That’s the word you keep hearing over and over, and I think that’s what’s pushing Miami in the right direction with a lot of these blue-chip recruits.
DMoney: Let’s talk DJ Jacobs. He didn’t do interviews, but obviously he’s one of the biggest names there. What did you pick up just from observing him?
Sebastian Font: First thing, he absolutely looks the part. He’s every bit of his listed size. When you see him, you think blue-chip edge rusher immediately.
Since he wasn’t doing interviews, you had to watch how he moved and who he was around, and from that standpoint, he looked like he was having a great time. He was all smiles, throwing up the U, joking with staff members, and seemed really comfortable. You mentioned Akheem Mesidor being there, and even having those kinds of guys around matters when you’re talking about development.
He is committed to Ohio State, so that’s still the biggest factor here, but Miami clearly has momentum. He had been leaning Miami before that commitment, and that’s part of why the Hurricanes still feel like they have a real shot in this one.
DMoney: Another name that jumped out was Marcus Fakatou from the West Coast. What did you get from him?
Sebastian Font: He was one of the more interesting interviews because he said getting down to Miami kind of came together unexpectedly. He found time in his schedule to make it happen, and he absolutely loved it.
He had great things to say about the staff and especially about coach Kiki [Misipeka]. He talked about Miami trying to build that California and Poly pipeline, and you could tell that resonated with him. What stood out to me too is that even though he lives in California now, he made it clear he doesn’t necessarily see himself as a guy who has to stay home. He’s originally from Alaska, and he said he could see himself coming to this side of the country.
He reclassed from 2028 into 2027, so Miami is getting into that recruitment a little later than some schools, but I’ve heard nothing but good things coming out of this visit. They’re really pushing there now.
DMoney: Jaden Upshaw is another one who seems to be trending heavily toward Miami, and obviously the family tie with Daylyn Upshaw stands out. What did you learn there?
Sebastian Font: Coming out of that interview, it really felt like Miami and Texas A&M were the two big schools. He’s got a top group, but those were the two that really felt strongest.
The Miami connections matter a lot. He talks to Daylyn all the time. He talks with Coach Beard, with Mali, and he already has relationships with guys in that receiver room because of those ties. That really stands out.
And when you have someone like Malachi Toney in the program, it helps recruiting nationally. We talk about his impact a lot, but it still might be underrated. Recruits can look at him and say, “That’s what it looks like here. That’s how they use guys. That’s the kind of player I can become.” That carries real weight.
DMoney: Speaking of skill talent, what about Myson Johnson-Cook?
Sebastian Font: Really good vibes there. He’s a bigger back, and he talked about how a lot of schools don’t necessarily value that type of runner, but Miami does. He sees how physical they are up front and how a bigger back like Mark Fletcher fits in their offense.
I asked him if he had talked with Mark, and he said they’ve been in contact and Mark has been helping him through the process. That matters. When you’re talking about a back with that kind of size and speed combination, that’s the ideal profile. Coach Upshaw was talking the other day about what he wants in a running back, and honestly it sounded a lot like Myson Johnson-Cook.
He’s also from Illinois, and with Izzy Abrams now committed, that Midwest connection matters. He was smiling when we talked about that.
DMoney: Jaiden Bryant is another huge one on the defensive line. What impression did you get there?
Sebastian Font: He definitely looks the part too. When you see his frame, you understand why people think so highly of him.
He’s committed to LSU, and I do think that’s a tougher battle than some of the other recruitments. I didn’t come away feeling like Miami was in the lead there. It felt more like LSU is still the team at the top and Miami is trying to stay right there and keep pressure on.
But he was having a good time, he seemed to be interacting well with other recruits, and Miami is definitely still in it. In recruiting, you can’t rule anything out. I just think that one is a real battle.
DMoney: What about Asher Ghioto, the 2028 defensive end who could eventually reclassify?
Sebastian Font: He had a ton of energy. I asked him a few questions and he gave long, detailed answers. He had nothing but glowing things to say about Miami, especially Jason Taylor.
He’s very serious about development. He flat-out said that Jason Taylor develops guys every year and sends them to the NFL every year, and that development is crucial for him. He’s still very open overall because he has a huge offer list, but Miami and Clemson were two schools he mentioned specifically.
He had dinner with coach Taylor the night before and talked about that relationship. And physically, he’s absolutely a guy who could reclassify and handle it. Miami is in a really good position there.
DMoney: Jalaythan Mayfield is another linebacker Miami has been on for a while. What stood out with him?
Sebastian Font: He talked really well about Coach Hetherman and how he sees himself fitting in the defense. He liked being able to watch practice and really pay attention to the linebacker play in scrimmage settings.
That’s one of the interesting parts of talking to recruits after these practices. Sometimes they’ll tell you a lot about what they saw. With Jalaythan, the biggest thing was that he still felt like a priority, even though Miami is recruiting a wide group of linebackers right now. He understands where he stands, and he made it clear Miami is a serious contender for him.
DMoney: Let’s stay on the defensive front with Xavier Perkins.
Sebastian Font: Great kid. Really good kid. Family and culture matter a lot to him, and that came through in the conversation. He talked about Miami and Virginia Tech as two places that feel family-oriented to him, and that really stands out in his recruitment.
It feels very close between those two schools right now. Honestly, it feels like a coin flip at the moment. He also seems ready to make a decision soon. He was talking like that could happen quickly.
As a player, you love the traits. The heavy hands, the track background, the versatility. He’s one of those guys you’d really like to land.
DMoney: What did you think of Jaxon Dollar?
Sebastian Font: He had a lot of energy. Everybody was joking around because he was one of the guys making a scene at the pool, doing flips and just having a good time.
But on the football side, it was really useful to ask him about the tight ends coach transition. He had good things to say about coach Vitti. He described him as direct and honest, and that matters. There were people wondering about an offensive line coach moving into that role, but from Jackson’s perspective, that transition has gone well.
He said he’s narrowed things down, and Miami is firmly in that smaller group. He’s another guy who sounds like he could move relatively quickly because he knows schools are starting to identify their take list and he doesn’t want to wait too long.
DMoney: What did you hear from Osani Gales?
Sebastian Font: I don’t think Miami is leading there right now. He talked about Alabama, Tennessee, Washington, and some other schools, and it feels like Miami still has ground to make up.
But one thing that stood out again was how these receivers talk about Coach Beard. The word they keep using is “real.” They see him as honest and straightforward. That’s important. You’re seeing that pay off already at the position with the kind of traction Miami is getting.
DMoney: Juju Johnson is another interesting defensive back target. What was your read there?
Sebastian Font: Oklahoma feels like a major player there, but Miami is definitely battling. He mentioned Miami, Oklahoma, UCLA, Nebraska, and Michigan, so there are a lot of schools involved.
He talked really well about Will Harris and the relationship there. Again, trust came up. A lot of these recruits are trusting Miami’s coaches not just to develop them as players, but to help them grow off the field too. Miami may not be in the lead there today, but they’re in the fight.
DMoney: What about Ezekiel Ayangbile?
Sebastian Font: He’s another guy I want to study more on film, but the visit went well. Like a lot of the defensive linemen, he talked about the aggression and physicality in practice. He was another one bringing up development and speaking highly of both Jason Taylor and Damione Lewis.
He made it clear he enjoys being recruited by Miami and feels like he’s learning from the best. He also sounds like a player who may not drag things out forever. That one could move sooner than later too.
DMoney: And Jamar Thompson locally?
Sebastian Font: That one still feels pretty open. He’s local, but his recruitment feels national right now. He looks like exactly the type of defensive tackle body you want to keep home, but I didn’t come away from that conversation feeling like it was close to done.
What did stand out was him talking about Javian Mallory and watching his development. Seeing a local player grow in Miami’s system right in front of him could matter.
DMoney: Let’s finish the recruiting section with Miami commit Ah'Mari Stevens.
Sebastian Font: Good overall vibes. We talked some about Izzy Abrams and how excited he was to have the quarterback in the class committed already. He said they’ve been texting and talking, and that’s something he clearly likes.
At the same time, I do think his process is still open. He’s committed, but I don’t think this is fully shut down. LSU feels like a school to watch there. He’s still going through things.
What you do like is that he’s recruiting for Miami. He’s trying to bring other guys in, talking to them, using the same kind of points the staff used with him. That matters in a class like this.
DMoney: On the whole, what was your takeaway about the type of players Miami is recruiting right now?
Sebastian Font: Even before you talk to them, you can see it. These guys look the part. Some of the offensive linemen out there were massive. The defensive line targets looked like major college players. It just looks right.
And when you talk to them, they’re thoughtful about the process. They’re not just doing this for attention. They care about development, fit, and finding the right place. Miami may not land every one of these guys, but these are exactly the kinds of recruitments you want to be in.
You want your logo in those top groups. You want elite players taking Miami seriously. That matters for the whole perception of the program and for future cycles too. Weekends like this tell you a lot about where the program is, and right now Miami looks healthy.
DMoney: Let’s shift to practice. From what I saw, the first-team offense looked sharp, the offensive line is ahead of where I expected, and some of the recruits seemed to back that up with what they were saying. What did you hear?
Sebastian Font: A lot of the defensive line recruits were talking about Justin Scott, Armando Blount, and Marquise Lightfoot. Those names kept coming up.
From what I’ve seen personally, and from what recruits were saying, the wide receiver room looks really strong too. There’s a lot of talent and a lot of depth there. You see guys like Cooper Barkate and Josh Moore making plays, and then you have the veterans and portal additions too. That room is loaded, and Darian Mensah is going to have plenty of options.
DMoney: Any freshmen stand out to you?
Sebastian Font: JJ Dunnigan is the obvious one, but sometimes the obvious answer is the right answer. He just looks different. I remember a couple of reps where he came on nickel blitzes and looked like he was shot out of a cannon.
With those tools, it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field. Whether it’s safety, nickel, or a combination, he’s going to help somewhere.
DMoney: I also thought Milan Parris looked the part physically, and Vance Spafford keeps flashing. Do you see it the same way?
Sebastian Font: Definitely with Milan. He has the size, and he’s made some nice catches in the practices I’ve seen. He’s one of a lot of talented receivers in that room.
With Spafford, I love watching him run routes. He’s really quick, really fluid, and he’s going against physical corners. He’s not going to win every rep as a freshman, but he’s getting open and getting opportunities. And the speed is real. That part cannot be overstated.
