Miami football can move into rare company with 2nd 5-star commitment

The Miami football program is currently one of 13 nationally with a five-star player committed to its 2023 Class. Miami would join Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Texas and USC with a second 2023 five-star commit, Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa is the sole five-star commit to Miami in the Class of 2023 per On3.

No 2023 recruiting class currently has more than two five-star players committed to their program. Edge rusher Jayden Wayne is the 35th ranked player nationally in the 2023 class and the third highest rated four-star commit per On3. Wayne is the second highest-rated 2023 Miami commit behind Mauigoa.

The other programs with one five-star commit for 2023 are Iowa, Louisville, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Notre Dame and Tennessee. On3 lists 13 2023 five-star prospects as uncommitted. Miami is among the finalists for several of those 13. Five-star OT Samson Okunlola is trending to Miami.

Commitments from Mauigoa and Okunlola would provide Miami with two five-star signees for the second time in the last three classes. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safety James Williams were five-star signees with Miami in 2021. Miami has not had at least three five-star signees in the same class since 2008.

Cornerback Cormani McClain, edge rushers Nyckoles Harbor and Samuel M’Pemba and wide receiver Hykeem Williams are all prospects Miami is strongly recruiting. Harbor and M’Pemba are the two to watch that Miami has the best chance of receiving commitments from of those five.

Miami currently has the seventh-ranked recruiting class per On3. The 247 Sports team rankings place Miami 10th. Miami is 12th in the 2023 rivals recruiting rankings. Mario Cristobal and the Miami football staff is on pace to sign the best class in Miami history by the 247 Sports recruiting rankings.

The 2008 Miami football class finished first nationally but did not sign a class that had a cumulative score that would be as high as the 2023 class is projected to record. Miami has a big week coming up with several four-star prospects scheduled to announce their commitments between Wednesday and Sunday.

Safety Jayden Bonsu is scheduled to announce his commitment on Wednesday. Offensive tackle Olaus Alinen is announcing on Thursday. Linebacker Malik Bryant, OT Peyton Kirkland and safety Joenel Aguero are all announcing their commitments on Saturday. Miami is primarily trending for Bonsu and Bryant.

Miami was trending for Alinen until projections from 247 Sports and On3 were logged on Tuesday that the Finnish native will commit to Alabama. Miami is projected to have an elite 2023 OL class with or without Alinen. Commitmentments from Bonsu and Bryant would move the 2023 Miami recruiting class to fourth nationally.