Miami Hurricanes top 8 for two-sport athlete Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge

The Miami Hurricanes have been named as one of the top eight schools for two-sport athlete and four-star defensive end Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge. Rawlins-Kibonge is a power forward currently committed to Washington State for basketball.

Four-star defensive end Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge who is a nationally ranked power forward in basketball named the Miami Hurricanes as one of eight schools he is considering. Rawlins-Kibonge who is from Portland is committed to playing basketball at Washington State but apparently keeping his options open.

Miami is the only school east of the Mississippi River that Rawlings-Kibonge is considering. The other seven schools that Rawlins-Kibonge listed in his top eight are Arizona State, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, USC, Washington and Washington State. Washington State is still considered to be the favorite to sign Rawlins-Kibonge.

The 6’7, 240 pound strongside DE is the 303rd ranked player nationally, the 19th ranked SDE and second-ranked player in Oregon in the 2021 recruiting cycle according to 247 Sports. Rawlins-Kibonge told 247 in March that he will sign a National Letter of Intent in December to play football in college.

In the same interview, Rawlins-Kibonge mentioned he might pursue both sports in college. Rawlins-Kibonge has spoken with both Washington State coaches about that possibility. There has been no indication if Rawlins-Kibonge has brought up the possibility of playing basketball and football at Miami.

Miami has yet to receive a commitment from a defensive end in the 2021 recruiting cycle. Defensive tackles Savion Collins and Allan Haye are committed to the Hurricanes for 2021. Collins’ commitment is tenuous with many believing he will flip to Florida. Miami likely needs to add at least two DEs for 2021.

Rising redshirt sophomore Greg Rousseau, rising redshirt junior Jaelan Phillips and graduate transfer Quincy Roche can all leave Miami after the 2021 season. Miami will return Jahfari Harvey, Cameron Williams, Chantz Williams and Jason Blisset, who switched from DT, at DE in 2021. Depth will be critical.

Miami will have to add DEs in the 2020 recruiting class and could add another through the transfer portal for the third straight year. Before the Hurricanes added Roche for 2020, Trevon Hill transferred to Miami from ACC Coastal Divison rival Virginia Tech for the 2019 season. Rawlins-Kibonge would add length and depth.