Miami football moves into 2023 top 20 with Robert Stafford commitment
A commitment from four-star athlete Robert Stafford who is projected to play cornerback in college has moved the 2023 Miami football class into the top 20 nationally. Stafford chose Miami over Arkansas, Georgia, Oregon, and Kentucky. Stafford is the first projected defensive back committed to Miami for 2023.
The 247 Sports composite rankings have Stafford as the 163rd ranked player, 12th athlete and 34th in Florida in the Class of 2023. Stafford is the third-highest-ranked commit to Miami for 2023. The Hurricanes move up to the 20th-ranked class nationally. Stafford has been an impact player on offense and defense.
Stafford had 42 receptions for 605 yards and five touchdowns and 19 tackles, five pass breakups a 45 yards interception return and a tackle for loss as a junior for Melbourne Eau Gallie in 2021. Miami DB coach Jahmile Addae gets credit for Stafford committing to Miami. Addae was the second-ranked recruiter nationally in 2022.
In addition to Addae, Stafford has a relationship with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal when he was the head coach at Oregon. The opportunity to stay instate and the history of the Miami football program played a large role in the decision for Stafford to commit to the Hurricanes on Thursday.
Miami should continue to rise in the 2023 recruiting rankings. Riley Williams who is the fourth-ranked tight end in 2023 is expected to commit to Miami on Friday. Williams begins a weekend of several prospects highly considering Miami who will announce their commits from Friday through Monday.
Stafford is only the second prospect projected to play defense in the 2023 Miami recruiting class. Three-star linebacker Bobby Washington is the other. Stafford took his official visit to Miami last week after visits to Kentucky and Oregon earlier in June. Stafford’s final visit was to Arkansas last weekend.
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Stafford was quoted by On3 that the difference in his decision to commit to Miami was how well the official visit went and his confidence in being able to play early with the Hurricanes. Arkansas and Oregon were the programs Stafford was leaning toward until he took his official visit to Coral Gables.