Miami football top 4 for 4-star athlete Chris Graves ahead of July 9 commitment

The Miami football program landed in the top four for four-star athlete Chris Graves who the Hurricanes project as a cornerback. Graves will announce his commitment on Friday. Miami is competing with Florida, LSU and South Carolina to receive a commitment from Graves. The Hurricanes are the favorite.

All six crystal balls from 247 Sports project Graves to commit to the Miami football program. After missing out on a pair of prospects on July 4, gaining a commitment from Graves would be some needed momentum for the Hurricanes. Graves could be the second commitment Miami receives this week.

Four-star Orlando linebacker Demario Tolan will announce his decision on Thursday. Both crystal balls project Tolan to commit to LSU. Miami currently only has three players committed for 2022 with the 76th ranked class. Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz is not concerned with their slow start in the 2022 class.

Graves is the 288th ranked player nationally, the 15th ranked athlete and 34th in Florida for 2022 out of Bishop Verot in Fort Myers. Miami 2021 signee Malik Curtis, Graves’ cousin also played at Bishop Verot. One of the 2022 Miami commit is four-star CB Khamauri Rogers from Mississippi.

When the 14 month plus dead period for recruiting was lifted on June 1 Graves took official visits to LSU, Miami and South Carolina. Ganes also took two unofficial visits to Miami and one to Florida. The Hurricanes are in a good position to receive a commitment from the versatile prospect.

On defense, Graves had 23 tackles and one interception in 2020 during his junior season. Graves added 27 receptions for 500 yards and four touchdowns on offense. At 6’1, 175 pounds, Graves would provide Miami with the length head coach Manny Diaz likes in the secondary. Graves would potentially tie for Miami’s tallest CB.

Depending on who returns for the 2022 season, Isaiah Dunson is the only Miami CB on the roster not eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft who is 6’1. Rogers is 5’11.5, 155 pounds. The hiring of Travaris Robinson as defensive backs coach and promotion of DeMarcus Van Dyke to CB coach is helping Miami in recruiting.

A commitment from Graves would move Miami up to the 69th ranked 2022 class slotted between Brigham Young and Arkansas State. There has been a lot of questioning of the approach Miami is taking with their 2022 Class. Diaz has stated that he is not concerned with where the class is currently.