The Miami football program leads with a July 9 commitment date from five-star edge rusher Jayden Wayne. Wayne is projected by the major recruiting websites to commit to Miami. All six crystal balls from 247 Sports with five of them logged in the last week project Wayne to commit to Miami.
The On3 prediction machine projects Miami with a 77.8 percent chance for a commitment from Wayne. Alabama is second at 11.5 percent. Rivals.Com lists Miami with a 100 percent chance for a commitment from Wayne. Wayne is ranked as the 30th player, fifth edge rusher and ninth in Washington for 2023 by 247 Sports.
Wayne took official visits to Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan State and Oregon in June. Miami could have a big July of commitments. Wayne would be the first five-star player committed to the Miami football program since defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safety James Williams in the Hurricanes’ Class of 2021.
Mario Cristobal has emphasized upgrading the talent on the Miami defensive line. Four-star edge rusher Collins Acheampong pushed back his commitment date on Friday. The decision by Acheampong to push back his commitment date could benefit Miami. Acheampong has not announced a new commitment date.
I WILL BE COMMITTING ON JULY 9th, MY SISTERS 1️⃣6️⃣th BIRTHDAY! pic.twitter.com/OhQKdLjXu2
— ☆Jayden Wayne☆ (@JaydenWayne8) July 1, 2022
Wayne includes Alabama in his six finalists despite not taking an official visit there. Wayne took an unofficial visit to Alabama in April. Miami has not signed a five-star edge rusher since Chad Thomas in 2014. Thomas was the 25th ranked player in 2014, the third-ranked weakside defensive end and third in Florida.
Chris Singletary of 247 Sports projects Wayne as an eventual second-round NFL Draft pick. Wayne had 44 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 13 hurries and nine sacks at Tacoma, Washington, Lincoln High School as a junior in 2021. Wayne also had 18 receptions for 269 yards and five touchdowns on offense.
Wayne possesses unique athleticism as an edge rusher. If Miami gains a commitment from Wayne they would have three top 15 edge rushers in the past two classes. Miami signed four-star edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Cyrus Moss in the Class of 2022. Under Cristobal expect Miami to continue to sign elite linemen.