The bye week was a work week, and the staff hit the road hard to recruit. Below is the latest on the Class of 2026:
Before we get into specific positions, I wanted to make a couple general points. First, the staff is placing a huge emphasis on evaluating senior film. Some guys are making jumps, others take step backs, some stay the same. These evaluations will be critical for the class. Keep that in mind as you read reports.
Second, Miami is pairing these evaluations with big-time recruiting battles. Miami is going to take big swings in high school and the Portal. My sense is that the staff is less interesting in wasting resources on B players with good ratings. They'd rather trust their evaluations and then go all in with true impact guys (like Jackson Cantwell).
Quarterback
No drama here. Barring something unforeseen, Dereon Coleman (Orlando) will be Miami's quarterback in this class.
Running back
Javian Mallory (West Boca) is committed. I don't think we're going to further pursue Jae Lamar (Colquitt County, GA). Derrek Cooper (Chaminade) is still in the picture but I don't sense a ton of movement there. Keep an eye on ATH Lekhy Thompkins (IMG). The 6'1, 230-pounder and Tennessee native has done nothing but produce since his freshman year, and he's kept it up at IMG. He'll likely start at RB but he's an impact player on defense as well. Thompkins is committed to Louisville but Miami loves him and is pushing hard.
Wide receiver
This is a very interesting position to watch going forward. The staff won't hesitate to take numbers here if the players are championship-caliber. Somourian Wingo (St. Augustine) has been awesome as a senior. That was a major hit. There are several big receivers in the mix. Tyran Evans (Charlotte) is committed. A name with a ton of momentum is Milan Parris (Akron, OH). He's 6'5+ with excellent testing numbers, a basketball background and outstanding film. He's committed to Iowa State but Miami is being aggressive here. Keep an eye on this one:
Another 6'5+ hooper with real upside is Marquez Daniel (Tuskegee, AL). Florida doesn't have that many commits worth pursuing, but Daniel is one of them. He visited for Notre Dame and remains in contact. The popular name will always be Calvin Russell (Northwestern). If anybody tells you they know where that one is going, they're lying. From talking to Russell's people, I do think his interest is rising. Syracuse is a dump and Russell's best friend Malachi Toney is starring as a true freshman. But a lot of things need to come together, and the process is still ongoing.
Vance Spafford (Orange County, CA) is dealing with injuries but looks good when he plays. He remains committed. One name to keep on the radar is Jasen Lopez (Chaminade). We're still in contact with the FSU commit, and his senior film is excellent.
Tight end
Izzy Briggs (Visalia, CA) is committed and having a big senior year. Luke Brewer (Des Moines, IA) just reclassified and is a name Miami loves. Iowa and Iowa State are pushing, but the Canes have a great shot here. Florida commit Heze Kent (Brunswick, GA) remains in communication and is a +1. We would take all three if Kent wants in.
Offensive line
The Canes feel they have a special OL class, and the early senior film on our commits is outstanding. The only bad news is the knee injury to Canon Pickett (Tampa). He will remain in the class as he works back to 100%. This class is pretty complete. The only way I see it changing is if an elite name wants in, which is possible.
Defensive end
The Canes are after big fish. Oregon commit Anthony Jones (Mobile, AL), Texas A&M commit Bryce Perry-Wright (Atlanta, GA), LSU commit DeAnthony LaFayette (Orlando), and recent Clemson decommit Dre Quinn (Atlanta, GA) are all in the mix. Asharri Charles (Venice, FL) is committed.
Defensive line
The staff is ecstatic about Frederic Sainteus (Naples, FL). They were aggressive in securing his commitment and they expect him to blow up. Tyson Bacon was having a great senior year before hurting his knee. He remains committed, as is Anthony Kennedy (Little Rock, AR). Nolan Wilson (Picayune, MS) and Isaiah Broughton (Houston, TX) visited for the Notre Dame game and remain in the mix.
The name to monitor is Pitt commit Logan Nagle (North Jersey/NYC Metro). The staff absolutely loved him, and he aced the in-person evaluation. I expect Miami to push hard here. He is big (6'5, 270) and plays like an animal.
Linebacker
JJ Edwards (Orlando) and Jordan Campbell (Northwestern) are committed and solid. Miami is continuing to evaluate senior film to potentially add another name.
Cornerback
Jaelen Waters (Tampa), Brody Jennings (Jacksonville), Jontavius Wyman (Atlanta, GA) and Camdin Portis (Charlotte, NC) are all committed. Nothing imminent here but Miami continues to evaluate senior film.
Safety
Cortez Redding (Atlanta, GA) is committed. I'm not sensing a ton of movement at the moment with Clemson commit Blake Stewart (Atlanta, GA) and Ayden Pouncey (Orlando). This is a spot where I could see new names emerge over the course of the season.
♂
if he’s got short speed he would fit in here good. I like those bruisers