Miami football blue chip ratio stronger with 2022 class

The Miami football program has a blue-chip (four and five-star players) of 71 percent in the Class of 2022 with 10 of their 14 signees being four-stars.  Having a roster of at least 50 percent blue-chip players is the standard that is set for teams to have a chance to earn a college football playoff berth.

The 2022 Miami class is led by top 100 signees, defensive linemen Cyrus Moss and Nyjalik Kelly. Tight end Jaleel Skinner and running back Trevonte Citizen are less than 10 spots outside the 100 signees for 2022. Mario Cristobal and his staff have done an exceptional job improving the Miami class in less than two months.

Cristobal signed the highest-ranked class the Miami football program has had in a transition year. Finishing 15th after being ranked in the seventies in December is remarkable. Miami is also 15th in the class rankings that include transfers. The Hurricanes have added five transfers to their roster.

Cristobal went after highly ranked players in the 2022 Miami class and quality over quantity. With 14 signees Miami has one of the smallest classes nationally. Only TCU who signed the 47th ranked class is the only other program in the top 50 with as few as 14 signees. Bud Elliott of 247 Sports summarized the Miami class.

"Miami: 71% (No. 15 recruiting class)The Hurricanes signed 14 prospects, 10 of which are four- or five-stars. That’s a strong ratio, and it’s worth noting the Hurricanes did not choose to load up on high school prospects in the short time that new coach Mario Cristobal has been on campus.My research, based on limited data, is that large, highly-rated classes signed by coaches who have been on campus for just a few weeks in the Early Signing Period era (2018-current) are often fool’s gold. Saving scholarships for the 2023 class makes a lot of sense.Cyrus Moss and Nyjalik Kelly are potential difference-makers along the defensive line."

By keeping the class at 14, Cristobal has left open the Miami roster to add transfers in the offseason and players in 2023. College football programs can exceed the 25 signee limit in a given year up to seven signees for every transfer they lose. Miami has created needed roster flexibility.

After less than two months to assemble a top 15 class, the 2023 Miami class will have high expectations. Cristobal has been praised as an exceptional recruiter throughout his coaching career. The Miami roster has the potential to improve its blue-chip ratio in the future with Cristobal and his staff.