After a successful summer filled with official visits and camp events, the Canes went out with one final bang at their Jun. 17 Prospect Camp.
And as head coach Mario Cristobal put it, it was the “best group of campers [Miami’s] had” with a lengthy list of five stars and standout performers from 2027 to 2031 — yes a rising eighth grader, but more on that later.
Thoughts on Miami’s 2027 commits:
With Jaiden Bryant the strength is as advertised, his hand power is silly but what caught my eye was his ability to be technical in the one-on-one drills. He could’ve easily overpowered most of his opponents, but focused on his pass rush packages, showing an impressive ****nal that varies depending on leverage.
I also left the camp extremely impressed by defensive tackle commit Demarco Jenkins. Many were shocked to see him listed north of 300 pounds following his official visit in May, and I was interested to see how it would vary from his Junior film. Any worries were quickly washed away watching his burst off the LOS, maintaining his quick first step on film while adding wrecking ball strength in the backfield. On multiple occasions he drove his opposing o-lineman into the quarterback and projects to develop quite nicely at the next level.
Even with all the standouts on the D-line, the most “stock up” player in my opinion was Santaluces EDGE/LB Jayvon Dawson. I’ve mentioned how much I love his traits as a potential stud as a backer, but his speed rush package opened plenty of eyes. He flew off the edge and also used his wingspan when needed to create separation. It wasn’t perfect but the vision is clear with the potential he has.
On the offensive end, QB Izzy Abrams stood out with his advanced feel for windows. He had the touch to place the ball in spots only his receivers could get to, throwing his receivers open. Moreover, running back Ty Keys demonstrated his ability to pass catch out of the backfield, with deadly cuts on option routes.
All the commits set the tone and the relationship they share is special. They aren't exploring other options — all they want to do is be at Miami and be around the program as much as possible.
Thoughts on top 2028 targets and standouts:
Miami hosted three elite prospects from Utah — OT Maui Tonata, OL Mataio Fano and EDGE Major Stokes.
Tonata was arguably the best offensive lineman out there, all of 6-foot-5 and north of 300 pounds. When he sets his hands on a pass rusher, Tonata was fully in control of the rep with impressive strength and technique at this stage.
“I love the coaching staff, I love the facilities and all the players here, the atmosphere, the people here especially,” Tonata said.
“Miami is definitely one of my top picks. It's the relationships in Miami that got my attention, so I really like them.”
Brother of top-10 draft pick OT Spencer Fano, Mataio showed advanced footwork on the line but needs to grow into his frame. At the moment he is quite light which resulted in being driven backwards in a lot of reps. Worth noting that his brother was also “light” at the same stage in development so it’s something to monitor there.
Rounding out the Utah trio, Stokes really shined with his pass rush strength. He had an impressive one-handed bull rush which got the whole camp fired up. Stokes mentioned he plans to come back on an unofficial visit during the fall season.
Two 2028 prospects who caught my eye and picked up offers were ATH Jaxon Flowers and WR Tony Brown III.
Flowers is listed as a quarterback for Bolles, but worked in the secondary and picked up an offer from Will Harris, plenty of traits and physical tools there. With Brown, he was the most impressive wideout I saw in one-on-one drills with his shiftiness and separation. Both are unranked at this time but I expect that to change as they pick up more and more offers.
And while he didn't participate in camp, five-star WR Brysen Wright looked physically impressive and spent his time around freshman WR Somourian Wingo.
Beyond the 2028 class:
2029 and 2031 offensive lineman Carson Campbell and Bully Mahuka-Kaawa did more than just hold their own against top 27 and 28 pass rushers.
A rising eighth grader, Mahuka-Kaawa didn’t look out of place whatsoever and will only develop technically with his entire high school career ahead of him. He was even brought back into the line for “best on best” work, which feels ridiculous to say for a seventh grader.
More thoughts below:
And as head coach Mario Cristobal put it, it was the “best group of campers [Miami’s] had” with a lengthy list of five stars and standout performers from 2027 to 2031 — yes a rising eighth grader, but more on that later.
Thoughts on Miami’s 2027 commits:
With Jaiden Bryant the strength is as advertised, his hand power is silly but what caught my eye was his ability to be technical in the one-on-one drills. He could’ve easily overpowered most of his opponents, but focused on his pass rush packages, showing an impressive ****nal that varies depending on leverage.
I also left the camp extremely impressed by defensive tackle commit Demarco Jenkins. Many were shocked to see him listed north of 300 pounds following his official visit in May, and I was interested to see how it would vary from his Junior film. Any worries were quickly washed away watching his burst off the LOS, maintaining his quick first step on film while adding wrecking ball strength in the backfield. On multiple occasions he drove his opposing o-lineman into the quarterback and projects to develop quite nicely at the next level.
Even with all the standouts on the D-line, the most “stock up” player in my opinion was Santaluces EDGE/LB Jayvon Dawson. I’ve mentioned how much I love his traits as a potential stud as a backer, but his speed rush package opened plenty of eyes. He flew off the edge and also used his wingspan when needed to create separation. It wasn’t perfect but the vision is clear with the potential he has.
On the offensive end, QB Izzy Abrams stood out with his advanced feel for windows. He had the touch to place the ball in spots only his receivers could get to, throwing his receivers open. Moreover, running back Ty Keys demonstrated his ability to pass catch out of the backfield, with deadly cuts on option routes.
All the commits set the tone and the relationship they share is special. They aren't exploring other options — all they want to do is be at Miami and be around the program as much as possible.
Thoughts on top 2028 targets and standouts:
Miami hosted three elite prospects from Utah — OT Maui Tonata, OL Mataio Fano and EDGE Major Stokes.
Tonata was arguably the best offensive lineman out there, all of 6-foot-5 and north of 300 pounds. When he sets his hands on a pass rusher, Tonata was fully in control of the rep with impressive strength and technique at this stage.
“I love the coaching staff, I love the facilities and all the players here, the atmosphere, the people here especially,” Tonata said.
“Miami is definitely one of my top picks. It's the relationships in Miami that got my attention, so I really like them.”
Brother of top-10 draft pick OT Spencer Fano, Mataio showed advanced footwork on the line but needs to grow into his frame. At the moment he is quite light which resulted in being driven backwards in a lot of reps. Worth noting that his brother was also “light” at the same stage in development so it’s something to monitor there.
Rounding out the Utah trio, Stokes really shined with his pass rush strength. He had an impressive one-handed bull rush which got the whole camp fired up. Stokes mentioned he plans to come back on an unofficial visit during the fall season.
Two 2028 prospects who caught my eye and picked up offers were ATH Jaxon Flowers and WR Tony Brown III.
Flowers is listed as a quarterback for Bolles, but worked in the secondary and picked up an offer from Will Harris, plenty of traits and physical tools there. With Brown, he was the most impressive wideout I saw in one-on-one drills with his shiftiness and separation. Both are unranked at this time but I expect that to change as they pick up more and more offers.
And while he didn't participate in camp, five-star WR Brysen Wright looked physically impressive and spent his time around freshman WR Somourian Wingo.
Beyond the 2028 class:
2029 and 2031 offensive lineman Carson Campbell and Bully Mahuka-Kaawa did more than just hold their own against top 27 and 28 pass rushers.
A rising eighth grader, Mahuka-Kaawa didn’t look out of place whatsoever and will only develop technically with his entire high school career ahead of him. He was even brought back into the line for “best on best” work, which feels ridiculous to say for a seventh grader.
More thoughts below:
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