Miami football finalist, building relationship with 4-star S Bryce Thornton

Four-star 2023 safety Bryce Thornton is building a relationship with Miami football analyst DeMarcus Van Dyke. Thornton has the Miami football program as a finalist with Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU. Miami. Miami is tied with four teams for the best chance to sign Thornton per On3.Com.

Florida is projected with the best chance to sign Thornton at 24.3 per On3, Georgia is 11.1 and Clemson 9.6. Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU and Miami are all listed with an 8.0 percent per On3. Four-star linebacker Robby Washington is the only one of the five Miami 2023 commits on defense.

Miami has to start adding safeties on the roster for the future. Avantae Williams is eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft and Kamren Kinchens and James Williams will be a year later. Thornton is the 401st ranked player, 40th safety and 38th in Georgia in the Class of 2023 according to the On3 consensus rankings.

Van Dyke was an elite recruiter for the Miami football program as the cornerbacks’ coach before moving back into an analyst role when Mario Cristobal was hired. Newly hired defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae who was previously at Georgia will likely play a big role in the recruitment of Thornton. Thornton spoke to On3.Com.

"MIAMI: “I have a great relationship with coach Van Dyke and he is really heavy into me. He was the second coach to offer me, so our relationship started early. The way he recruits me played a big part in Miami making the list. I have not visited yet, but I feel good about my connection with him and Miami as a school.”"

Miami has offered 17 uncommitted safeties in the 2023 class. The Hurricanes are the only one of the five finalists that Thornton has yet to visit. Thornton was originally offered by over 30 schools before narrowing the list to five. Former Miami defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson is leading Thornton’s recruitment for Alabama.

Thornton told Simmons he wants to be committed before his senior year. Simmons was also told by Thornton that each official visit will be important in determining which school he commits to. Education, player development, people around campus and campus life are all important factors for Thornton on his official visits.