The Hurricanes have locked in their remaining wideout target with four-star Eli Woodard who made his long-awaited commitment this afternoon.



A former USC pledge who decommitted in May, Miami surged up his recruitment with both an unofficial visit to his high school in California as well as an official visit last month

The 6-foot, 190-pound wide receiver brings ability both inside and outside — having the speed to burn defenders deep as well as the agility to make cuts in the slot.

“They see me playing slot and outside, being very versatile in their offense,” Woodard said during his OV in May.

This past season Woodard racked up 51 catches for 1078 yards, totaling 17 touchdowns and 21.1 YPC.



Miami beat out in-state sides in Cal and UCLA who were seen as legitimate contenders in this recruitment, especially as Woodard’s Chaparral quarterback Dane Weber committed to the Golden Bears recently.

“What stood out to me was really the people and the culture around here, the players, everything — I loved everything about [Miami] ,” Woodard said.

The Temecula native becomes Miami’s second cross-country Cane this cycle, teaming up with good friend Donte Wright.



Woodard’s playmaking ability was on full display at Nike’s The Opening, where the Chaparral product was named one of the top performers of the event industry wide, with some having him as the MVP.

He shined against some of the country’s best defensive backs with deadly cuts, safe hands and instincts to understand soft spots in coverage.



The four-star wideout joins local five-star Nick Lennear as the Hurricanes haul at the position this cycle, driving Miami up to 20 commitments so far.

In many ways Woodard is considered the “finishing piece” when it comes to Miami’s 2027 class this summer — but it does not mean the class is wrapped up. The Canes will continue to monitor risers during their senior year and remain in the fight for flip targets such as five-star DJ Jacobs.

 

6:50 p.m. — We’re literally 10 minutes until kickoff, and I’m scrambling to get inside the stadium. Luckily, Chaparral’s wide receivers coach is also the recruiting coordinator. He’s able to give me my media pass as the team heads to the locker room one last time. The first person I see when I walk through the gates is Miami wide receivers coach Kevin Beard. Since I don’t cover the team, I hardly get to interact with the actual coaching staff. I spend some time chatting with Beard, which is really cool since I remember watching him play. Coach KB seems like a great dude who loves The U and is obviously killing it on the recruiting trail.

7:00 p.m. — After a long drive from the opposing team, we finally get to see Woodard in action. He makes a key 13-yard reception to convert on fourth down and set his team up in scoring position. Unfortunately, the rest of the night was extremely frustrating to watch. Woodard lined up solely as an outside receiver. He wasn’t used in the slot, where he projects at the next level, wasn’t schemed open through motions or mesh concepts and didn’t touch the ball on end arounds. That reception was the only one Woodard had in the first half.

8:30 p.m. — We’re already midway through the third quarter, and it’s much of the same. Woodard does draw a pass interference around the end zone, but almost nothing is being thrown in his vicinity. What makes this even crazier is Chaparral has a DI quarterback in Cal commit Dane Weber. Though, he doesn’t exactly look the part of a blue chip recruit in this game. Israel Abrams will be a much better fit for Woodard at The U. Woodard does take out his frustration when run blocking, which is good to see. He’s physical and wants to put guys in the dirt.

9:30 p.m. — The game is almost over and aside from another pass interference call, Woodard has nothing to show on the stat sheet. This shouldn’t be alarming, though. Sometimes, top recruits simply have a quiet game. You have to trust your eval. Woodard had a fantastic offseason, has an array of releases in his bag, has elite suddenness and burst and runs a sub-11 100-meter. There is a lot for Beard to work with when it comes to Woodard. I just don’t think his high school team did him any favors tonight.

10:30 p.m. — Despite the quiet night, Woodard is in good spirits and gladly does the interview. Woodard is one of the kids I know the least on a personal basis in this class. He’s a bit on the quiet side but seems to have the respect of his teammates and those around his high school program. Woodard is more of a guy who wants to let his play do the talking. He has a bit of a quiet confidence.

 

 

Dude is a baller

 

I think lots of people are forgetting about Eli because of what we have coming in, but he could very well be the best of the bunch

 

When I saw him burn John Meredith twice he reminded me of Stef Diggs.

 

Oooh and screen pass...He'll fit right in

 

5 star....

 

I think lots of people are forgetting about Eli because of what we have coming in, but he could very well be the best of the bunch

THIS!

 

wasnt mewho said that

Me & it's just an opinion

 

DOG!!! My favorite WR in this class.

 

I think lots of people are forgetting about Eli because of what we have coming in, but he could very well be the best of the bunch

Couldn’t agree more. He’s the best route runner of the bunch.

 

KID IS THE GOODS HES GONNA PLAY EARLY.

 

Legit

 

We need him ASAP

 

"Getting Brysen didn't really change much for me; I'm still locked in of course," the Top247 prospect from Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral told 247Sports. "We're just adding, it's like collecting Infinity Stones.

"We're building. I knew from the jump that it was a direction they were headed in, and it's a group of guys that I'm just ready to go in there and work when we get down there. From what I have seen, all our skill sets are going to combine real well."

Woodard, though, said hasn't really thought about any other teams this season and is focused on his future at Miami.

"Miami has a very fun offense to watch," Woodard said. "They're throwing the ball, running the ball, and have a lot of freshmen out there doing big things. I'm very excited to get there."

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He aint scared and worried about competition, exactly what we need!

 

Thank the lord. This kid is my favorite WR in this class/will be the perfect slot complement to all of the boundary guys we have coming in.

Need him to stick. His route running is already that of a seasoned college vet.

 

Legit

 

"Getting Brysen didn't really change much for me; I'm still locked in of course," the Top247 prospect from Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral told 247Sports. "We're just adding, it's like collecting Infinity Stones.

"We're building. I knew from the jump that it was a direction they were headed in, and it's a group of guys that I'm just ready to go in there and work when we get down there. From what I have seen, all our skill sets are going to combine real well."

Woodard, though, said hasn't really thought about any other teams this season and is focused on his future at Miami.

"Miami has a very fun offense to watch," Woodard said. "They're throwing the ball, running the ball, and have a lot of freshmen out there doing big things. I'm very excited to get there."

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He aint scared and worried about competition, exactly what we need!

.

 

 

He will be our Mali. Nick will be our Barkate. Bfye will be our Moore.

A1 will just be all over lol. No position or role for that kid