Miami football still in best spot for 4-star LB Malik Bryant
A column from Rivals.Com national recruiting director Adam Gorney on Tuesday projects that the Miami football program is still in the best spot for a commitment from four-star linebacker Malik Bryant. Bryant delayed a commitment that was supposed to be announced on Saturday. Miami is still leads for a Bryant commitment.
The Rivals future cast gives Miami a 75 percent chance for a commitment from Bryant. Bryant is listed as the 26th best player, top outside LB and eighth in Florida in the Class of 2023. The 2023 Miami recruiting class currently ranks 13th in the Rivals rankings. Miami is 11th in the 247 Sports 2023 rankings and eighth by On3.Com.
All five crystal balls from 247 Sports project Bryant to commit to Miami. Bryant’s recruitment is down to Florida and Miami. The On3 projection gives Miami a 57.9 projection for a Bryant commitment with Florida at 38.4 percent. The postponement of Bryant committing could mean Florida is gaining ground with Miami.
A commitment from Bryant would move Miami into seventh ahead of Tennessee in the 247 Sports 2023 recruiting rankings pending other commitments. Miami currently has commitments from two LBs. Three-star LB Bobby Washington committed to Miami in March and four-star Raul Aguirre earlier this month.
"“Four-star Malik Bryant was supposed to commit this past weekend, with Florida and Miami as his top schools, but he decided to postpone. I don’t have a good read on which school that helps or hurts, but I still think the Hurricanes are in the best spot there.”"
Upgrading their play at LB has been a position of need for the Miami football program for the last two seasons. Miami signed four-star prospect Wesley Bissainthe in the Class of 2022 and UCLA transfer Caleb Johnson this year. Johnson is projected to be the starting middle LB for Miami in 2022.
Next. Florida gaining on Miami for 4-star LB Malik Bryant. dark
Johnson is entering his last season of eligibility. Aguirre, Bissainthe and potentially Bryant would all have a chance to compete to be a starting LB for Miami in 2023. Miami is clearly looking for bigger and more physical LBs under Mario Cristobal. The previous staff liked speedy, but undersized LBs.