Rivals National Analyst Steve Wiltfong sees the Canes gaining with multiple key targets. A transcript of his Miami Whiparound segment is below:
Quarterback
Steve Wiltfong: We all know that Trent Seaborn out of Alabama is one of Miami’s top targets on the board regardless of position. But he’s committed to the local Alabama Crimson Tide, and he is going to be extremely tough to flip. That may even be an understatement of how hard it’s going to be to flip Trent Seaborn from Alabama.
The board has expanded, and Miami is in the thick of it for several of the nation’s best signal callers. That starts with the number one player at the position in the Rivals 300, Will Mencl. He’s out of Chandler, Arizona, but he lived in South Florida when he was in middle school. He loves the Miami program and is excited to get out there this spring.
He’s talking to Mario Cristobal once a week on FaceTime and communicating regularly with Shannon Dawson. Now Oregon is where the prediction machine sits right now, and Auburn is probably running second, but Miami and Penn State are going to get an opportunity to continue making a move this spring.
He talked about Cam Ward and Carson Beck and is already projecting Darian Mensah to have a huge year. He thinks he could be extremely successful at Miami as well.
Later in the month, Israel Abrams — the number three signal caller in the Rivals 300 — is going to visit Miami. He has the Hurricanes in his top five. They may be running number five right now, but we’ll see what happens as he continues to build dialogue with the Miami staff.
Auburn and Purdue are probably in the best position right now. Then you have Kentucky, Miami, and Florida State also in the picture for Izzy Abrams.
Davin Davidson visited Miami last week for 305 Day. He’s out of Sarasota, Florida — a state champion at Cardinal Mooney. Shannon Dawson offered him when he was on the road in January. The visit lasted two days. He stayed for the 305 Day event Thursday, which included the party at Mario Cristobal’s house, and then he was back in the facility Friday for a more traditional recruiting visit.
It blew him away.
He talked about the combination of recruits, current Miami players, and coaches. He said it was awesome interacting with them. He highlighted the culture and the vision they have for him. The hospitality was second to none, and he feels like a clear priority.
He has a top eight, and I think Miami is closer to the top of his list within that group. Of the three quarterbacks right now, I would project him to be the best bet for Miami to land.
Running back
Steve Wiltfong: Miami’s got a Heisman candidate at running back going into next year with Mark Fletcher. When you watch him in the College Football Playoff and see the style of play the Hurricanes boast, how could you not want to be a big tailback featured in this offense?
Miami continues to impress the number three running back in the country and the number one running back on their board — Myson Johnson-Cook. He’s 6-3, 220 pounds, and I saw him run a laser 4.4 forty at the Opening regional in Indianapolis.
He’s a unique blend of size and speed.
He spent time with Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney during the visit and talked with them about their experiences in the program. That really resonated with him.
On paper Miami checks a lot of boxes, but then he got to go down there and see it in person — see Mark Fletcher, see the offensive linemen, get around Mario Cristobal and the coaching staff.
He knows they love bigger backs and that the style of play fits him.
Even though the prediction machine is on Missouri right now, I could very much see him playing his college football in Coral Gables. He’ll be back this spring and will take an official visit to Miami in the summer.
Crystal Balls
Steve Wiltfong: Miami is killing it locally right now. I joined colleague EJ Holland in predicting quarterback Sherrod Gourdine out of McArthur High to Miami. He was there for 305 Day and enjoyed being around potential future teammates. The vibe of Miami football — the way they’re playing — really speaks to him.
I have several predictions in for Miami right now. There’s also the longstanding pick for five-star offensive lineman Mark Matthews.
Then new predictions from the weekend include defensive lineman Josh Johnson, who recently dropped a top two of Miami and Florida, with Miami setting the pace.
And safety Andre Hyppolyte — another guy Miami covets. He’s an old-school type of recruit. Doesn’t post about his recruitment much, but programs like Georgia and Auburn are pushing for him. Miami had him in for 305 Day and it was another great visit.
I have all those guys projected to land in Miami’s class.
The Rest
Steve Wiltfong: Offensive line is becoming a focus as well. Sean Tatum is a very coveted in-state target for Miami.
He talked about the development being amazing and the culture they’ve built there. Mario Cristobal being an offensive line guy really resonates with him.
Miami is on the rise with a lot of their top targets — which you knew would happen once recruits started getting on campus.
The number one linebacker in the country, Kaden Henderson, is another major target. That’s going to be a battle with Texas A&M and Notre Dame.
Miami is currently number seven in the recruiting rankings, but they absolutely have a chance to finish number one if they land a lot of the players we just talked about.
Quarterback
Steve Wiltfong: We all know that Trent Seaborn out of Alabama is one of Miami’s top targets on the board regardless of position. But he’s committed to the local Alabama Crimson Tide, and he is going to be extremely tough to flip. That may even be an understatement of how hard it’s going to be to flip Trent Seaborn from Alabama.
The board has expanded, and Miami is in the thick of it for several of the nation’s best signal callers. That starts with the number one player at the position in the Rivals 300, Will Mencl. He’s out of Chandler, Arizona, but he lived in South Florida when he was in middle school. He loves the Miami program and is excited to get out there this spring.
He’s talking to Mario Cristobal once a week on FaceTime and communicating regularly with Shannon Dawson. Now Oregon is where the prediction machine sits right now, and Auburn is probably running second, but Miami and Penn State are going to get an opportunity to continue making a move this spring.
He talked about Cam Ward and Carson Beck and is already projecting Darian Mensah to have a huge year. He thinks he could be extremely successful at Miami as well.
Later in the month, Israel Abrams — the number three signal caller in the Rivals 300 — is going to visit Miami. He has the Hurricanes in his top five. They may be running number five right now, but we’ll see what happens as he continues to build dialogue with the Miami staff.
Auburn and Purdue are probably in the best position right now. Then you have Kentucky, Miami, and Florida State also in the picture for Izzy Abrams.
Davin Davidson visited Miami last week for 305 Day. He’s out of Sarasota, Florida — a state champion at Cardinal Mooney. Shannon Dawson offered him when he was on the road in January. The visit lasted two days. He stayed for the 305 Day event Thursday, which included the party at Mario Cristobal’s house, and then he was back in the facility Friday for a more traditional recruiting visit.
It blew him away.
He talked about the combination of recruits, current Miami players, and coaches. He said it was awesome interacting with them. He highlighted the culture and the vision they have for him. The hospitality was second to none, and he feels like a clear priority.
He has a top eight, and I think Miami is closer to the top of his list within that group. Of the three quarterbacks right now, I would project him to be the best bet for Miami to land.
Running back
Steve Wiltfong: Miami’s got a Heisman candidate at running back going into next year with Mark Fletcher. When you watch him in the College Football Playoff and see the style of play the Hurricanes boast, how could you not want to be a big tailback featured in this offense?
Miami continues to impress the number three running back in the country and the number one running back on their board — Myson Johnson-Cook. He’s 6-3, 220 pounds, and I saw him run a laser 4.4 forty at the Opening regional in Indianapolis.
He’s a unique blend of size and speed.
He spent time with Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney during the visit and talked with them about their experiences in the program. That really resonated with him.
On paper Miami checks a lot of boxes, but then he got to go down there and see it in person — see Mark Fletcher, see the offensive linemen, get around Mario Cristobal and the coaching staff.
He knows they love bigger backs and that the style of play fits him.
Even though the prediction machine is on Missouri right now, I could very much see him playing his college football in Coral Gables. He’ll be back this spring and will take an official visit to Miami in the summer.
Crystal Balls
Steve Wiltfong: Miami is killing it locally right now. I joined colleague EJ Holland in predicting quarterback Sherrod Gourdine out of McArthur High to Miami. He was there for 305 Day and enjoyed being around potential future teammates. The vibe of Miami football — the way they’re playing — really speaks to him.
I have several predictions in for Miami right now. There’s also the longstanding pick for five-star offensive lineman Mark Matthews.
Then new predictions from the weekend include defensive lineman Josh Johnson, who recently dropped a top two of Miami and Florida, with Miami setting the pace.
And safety Andre Hyppolyte — another guy Miami covets. He’s an old-school type of recruit. Doesn’t post about his recruitment much, but programs like Georgia and Auburn are pushing for him. Miami had him in for 305 Day and it was another great visit.
I have all those guys projected to land in Miami’s class.
The Rest
Steve Wiltfong: Offensive line is becoming a focus as well. Sean Tatum is a very coveted in-state target for Miami.
He talked about the development being amazing and the culture they’ve built there. Mario Cristobal being an offensive line guy really resonates with him.
Miami is on the rise with a lot of their top targets — which you knew would happen once recruits started getting on campus.
The number one linebacker in the country, Kaden Henderson, is another major target. That’s going to be a battle with Texas A&M and Notre Dame.
Miami is currently number seven in the recruiting rankings, but they absolutely have a chance to finish number one if they land a lot of the players we just talked about.
