Miami football assistant Ephraim Banda vaults into top 10 with James Williams commitment

The commitment from five-star athlete James Williams to the Miami football program on Tuesday night vaulted co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Ephraim Banda into the 2021 top 10 recruiting rankings nationally.

Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Ephraim Banda vaulted into 10th place in the recruiter rankings nationally with the commitment of five-star athlete James Williams to the Miami football program on Tuesday night. Williams who is a safety in high school is projected to play a hybrid safety-linebacker in college.

Williams is one of five players commited to Miami in the Class of 2021 that are attributed to Banda. Banda is also credited with the commitments of four-star defensive end, Jabari Ishmael, four-star defensive tackle Savion Collins, four-star safety Kamren Kinchens and three-star LB Tyler Johnson.

Miami is building a special class for 2021. The Hurricanes are close to several other high-level prospects. Five-star DT Leonard Taylor is announcing his college choice on August 6. Four-star safety Corey Collier who is the teammate of Taylor at Miami Palmetto is announcing his collegiate choice August 10.

Landing a commitment from either Collier or Taylor will move Miami into the top 10 for 2021. The 2018 recruiting class Miami was the last one had in the top 10. Three-star DE Thomas Davis is expected to choose the Hurricanes when he makes his announcement on August 24. Banda is involved with Collier and Taylor’s recruitments.

If Miami receives commitments from both Collier and Taylor next month Banda will have a good chance to move into the top five among recruiters nationally in the 2021 cycle. Banda has been a force for Miami on the recruiting trail. He was Miami’s top recruiter in the Class of 2020 and 14th nationally.

Six 2020 Miami signees were attributed to Banda. Four-star Avantae Williams, the nation’s second-ranked safety in 2020, four-star running back Don Chaney Jr, four-star S Jalen Harrell, four-star defensive lineman Elijah Roberts, three-star safety Keshawn Washington and three-star S Brian Balom were credited to Banda.

Banda is establishing himself as one of the best recruiters in the Nation. In his sixth recruiting cycle with the Miami football program, James Williams is the higher-ranked commit credited to Banda. Banda is not alone as Miami tight ends coach Stephen Field is currently the sixth-ranked recruiter for 2021.