After one of the most star-studded recruiting weekends in program history, the first domino to fall comes in the form of a flip.
Four-star 2027 linebacker Aston Whiteside has announced his commitment to the University of Miami, flipping from a Texas A&M pledge held since June.
A 6-foot-2, 215-pound backer from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Whiteside has some of the best athleticism in the class. He boasts a 10.9 mark in the 100-meter and a 10'3 broad jump, evident in his field-playing ability sideline to sideline.
The Texas native can go downhill and hold his own in coverage when needed across multiple positions, featuring as a strong safety or in the "big nickel" role.
He utilizes his mobility as a tackling machine. In only seven games this year for his Centennial side, Whiteside has recorded 91 total tackles, 11 TFL's, four sacks and a forced fumble.
In addition to his physical traits, Whiteside brings NFL bloodlines with his father Aston Whiteside Sr. who was a former edge rusher for the Cowboys, Bengals and Bears in the early 2010s.
Following his visit for the FSU game this weekend, he spoke highly about Miami's defensive grittiness - specifically shouting out Hurricane linebacker Mo Toure.
"Watching that Hurricanes defense in action, they're getting after the ball," Whiteside said to CIS on Sunday. "[Miami's] resilience was a great quality to watch."
Miami's latest commitment joins linebackers AJ Randle and Noah Glover as the Hurricanes haul at the position for the class.
This class could prove crucial with the loss of both starting linebackers in Toure and Chase Smith following this season. UM is also expected to be active in the portal here.
And as the road comes to a close on the 2027 class with Signing Day not too far in the distance, Miami could see both further addition and attrition ahead.
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