Miami football closing in on top 5 2023 class with projected commitments

The 2023 Miami football recruiting class currently ranks seventh overall. If Miami gains commitments from five players they are currently trending for, the Hurricanes will likely challenge for a top five 2023 recruiting class. Miami has not finished with a top 10 class since 2018. Mario Cristobal is quickly upgrading the Miami roster.

The 2023 Miami football class has 247 Sports crystal balls for offensive linemen, five-star prospect Samson Okunlola, four-star Olaus Alinen, three-star Tommy Kinsler, four-star defensive lineman Rueben Bain and four-star safety Jayden Bonsu. The Hurricanes are also strongly in the mix for four-star linebacker Malik Bryant.

Commitments from the first five prospects listed would currently elevate the 2023 Miami class to third nationally. Adding in those five would give Miami 19 commits for 2023. Miami would have an accumulative recruiting score of 279.26. That would have ranked sixth in the 2022 recruiting rankings.

Miami has time to add to those players and potentially finish with a top-five class. The Hurricanes have not signed a top-five class since finishing first in 2008. Okunlola would provide Miami with two five-star signees. Miami received a commitment from fellow five-star OT Francis Mauigoa on July 4.

Expect Miami to continue being active in the transfer portal. After the first season of Mario Cristobal as head coach, the Hurricanes are likely to lose several players. Other players will leave early for the NFL. Cristobal is likely to search the transfer portal for experienced, productive players.

Cristobal and his staff are quickly building a roster of elite talent. The trend should continue. Cristobal has been an elite recruiter as an assistant and head coach throughout his career. Oregon signed an average class of 10.5 nationally during the four seasons that Cristobal was the head coach in Eugene.

Being stationed in South Florida gives Cristobal closer proximity to the best high school football talent. Mauigoa is currently the sole five-star commit for 2023 with seven four-stars Hurricane commits. Miami had 10 four-star signees in the Class of 2022 without any five-stars. The Hurricanes also added 11 2022 transfers.

Miami is still looking for a defensive tackle, running back and safety in the Class of 2023. Bain is projected to move inside in college after primarily being an edge rusher as a junior in high school. Running back still seems open for Miami and Bonsu would fill one safety spot as Miami pursues five-star safety, Joenel Aguero.