Miami football signs previously uncommitted DE Nyjalik Kelly and CB Jaden Harris

The Miami football program gained National Letters of Intent from previously uncommitted four-star defensive end Nyjalik Kelly and three-star cornerback Jaden Harris. Kelly is the highest-ranked player Miami received an NLI from on Early National Signing Day. Miami’s 2022 class moves from 69th to 57th with Kelly.

Kelly is the 84th ranked player, 13th rated defensive linemen and 12th in Florida in the Class of 2022. Signing Kelly is a big addition to a Miami defensive line that signed five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor in 2022. Harris was a late addition to Miami. New head coach Mario Cristobal has to be credited with Miami signing Harris.

Harris is the 926th ranked player, 84th ranked CB and 91st in Georgia in the Class of 2022. Kelly joins a deep Miami group of CBs in the Class of 2022. The Miami football program signed four-stars Chris Graves and Khamauri Rogers in the Class of 2022 earlier in the Day. The Hurricanes needed to add depth at CB.

Kelly is a key signee for Miami. In addition to Kelly, Miami also signed four-star linebacker Wesley Bissainthe as the only players in the Class of 2022 from South Florida. Kelly, Rogers and Bissainthe are the top three ranked players in the Miami Class of 2022. Miami has a bright future on defense.

Harris is more of a project who played basketball and ran track in high school. Miami beat out Georgia Tech, Kansas State and Missouri for Harris. Cristobal is expected to be busy through the traditional National Signing Day on February 2. Miami will be busy in the transfer portal and adding high signees in the next seven weeks.

Kelly is an important signee for Cristobal and Miami. The Hurricanes were able to sign an elite player in their own territory. Kelly was considering Oregon before Cristobal returned home. Cristobal jokes with Kelly he had to return to Miami in order to gain the National Letter of Intent from the elite defensive lineman.