The first recruit to announce that they would be attending Mario Cristobal's 'Elite Prospect Day' at Miami on Jan. 22 was Tacoma (Wash) Lincoln five-star defensive lineman
Jayden Wayne. It's the only trip that he has planned out at this point.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder has been building a relationship with Cristobal and his staff, including defensive line coach Joe Salave'a, since July 2019, when Oregon became the first school to offer.
"I'm feeling excited. Excited to get back down there," Wayne told InsideTheU over the phone Tuesday night. "They're like family to me. We've built a close bond and I trust them."
The No. 5 defensive lineman in the Class of 2023, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, is hearing from the staff daily at this point.
"They text me like every day. Coach Cristobal and Joe [Salave'a]. They keep saying I'm their top priority. They really want me," Wayne said.
Salave'a has been a big part of Wayne's recruitment since the infant stages. The future Hurricanes defensive line coach is held in high regard by the All-American Bowl commit.
"He's good at developing players and his energy, the way he coaches, the way he talks. He's confident and he wants to win," Wayne said.
When the blue-chipper touches down in South Florida, it won't be his first time around the program. Wayne was one of the headliners of Miami's Paradise Camp over the summer. He was spotted talking with Miami legends Calais Campbell and Jon Beason while on Greentree.
The two-sport athlete, who also gets it done on the hardwood, draws comparisons to All-Pro defensive end Chandler Jones from 247Sports analyst Brandon Huffman.
