Miami football prospect 4-star LB Malik Bryant committing Wednesday
Four-star linebacker Malik Bryant, one of the top prospects on the Miami football board, is announcing his commitment at noon on Wednesday. Bryant made the announcement via social media on Tuesday night. Bryant postponed his commitment announcement that was initially supposed to occur on Saturday.
Bryant is the 61st-ranked player, fourth-ranked LB and 15th in Florida in the Class of 2023 out of Orlando Jones. Miami currently has commitments at LB from three-star prospect Bobby Washington and four-star Raul Aguirre. Miami currently has the 11th ranked 2023 recruiting class per the 247 Sports composite rankings.
A commitment from Bryant would move the 2023 Miami recruiting class to eighth nationally. All five crystal ball projections from 247 Sports still project Bryant to commit to Miami as of Tuesday night. The On3 projections give Miami a 62.3 percent chance for a commitment from Bryant and has Florida 34.0 percent.
Rivals has the Miami football program with an 83 percent chance for a commitment from Bryant. That is up from 75 percent earlier on Tuesday. A commitment from Bryant on Wednesday would be the first for Miami since Aguirre on July 12. Aguirre was the seventh player to commit to Miami between June 26 and July 12.
Several reports came out after Bryant delayed his commitment announcement that he wanted more time to decide where he was going to decide to play college football. Miami co-defensive coordinator and LBs coach Charlie Strong is leading the Miami recruitment for Bryant. Strong also led the recruitment for Aguirre.
Bryant is returning to Jones where he played as a freshman after competing the last two seasons at national powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton. Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports projects Bryant as an eventual power five starter and second to third round NFL draft pick. Bryant has thrived in coverage and as a pass rusher.
Ivins projects Bryant as fitting best in a 3-4 defense but that he could find a role in a 4-3. Under new co-defensive coordinators Kevin Steele and Strong, Miami will play a 4-3 as they did under the previous Miami staff. Miami will have opportunties to start at LB when Bryant is a freshman in 2023.