The Miami football program has its first defensive tackle commit in the 2023 recruiting class after flipping three-star Joshua Horton from North Carolina on Sunday. Horton told On3 that the communication with UNC slowed down recently and it picked up with Miami. Mario Cristobal continues to be an elite recruiting closer.
The commitment from Horton is the third for Miami this week and the second flip. Miami flipped edge rusher Collins Acheampong from Michigan earlier this week and received a commitment from three-star LB Marcellius Pulliam on Saturday. Interior defensive line coach Joe Salave’a led the recruitment for Horton.
Horton is listed as the 892nd ranked player, 100th defensive lineman and 89th in Georgia out of out Fairburn Langston Hughes High School. In 2022, Horton had 114 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
Horton is the third DL committed to Miami for 2023 joining Acheampong and four-star prospect Jayden Wayne. Miami remains the eighth-ranked 2023 class with the flip of Horton. Oklahoma is slightly ahead of Miami in the 2023 rankings. The Sooners have 278.92 points in the 247 Sports composite rankings and Miami has 278.31.
The Miami football program is up to 22 commits with Horton. The Early National Signing Period is December 21-23. Expect Cristobal to pull a few surprises. Miami will also be very active in the transfer portal. College football programs can begin contacting transfers on Monday when their entry into the portal becomes official.
Miami had to add depth on the DL with five players lost off the 2022 team. Mitchell Agude, Jacob Lichtenstein and Antonio Moultrie are seniors and Allan Haye and Elijah Roberts announced their entry in the transfer portal. Expect Miami to try and add a few more DL for their 2023 roster. Cristobal and his staff will be busy.
Horton took official visits to Auburn, Central Florida and North Carolina in June. Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U reported that Horton took an unofficial visit to Miami for the Duke game in October. In the interview with On3 Horton stated he believes that Cristobal will win at Miami despite the Hurricanes’ finishing 5-7 in 2022.