Mario Cristobal and Miami football staff praised for being on fire recruiting
With three days remaining until the Early Signing Period commences on Wednesday. Sam Marsdale of 247 Sports praised Mario Cristobal and the Miami football staff for being on fire on the recruiting trail. Miami received commitments from two of the best players in the 2023 class plus a top transfer this week.
Four-star defensive lineman Rueben Bain began the productive week for the Miami football staff by committing to the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Miami received a commitment from five-star offensive lineman Samson Okulola on Thursday. Alabama transfer OL committed to Miami on Sunday.
The commitments from Bain and Okunlola moved Miami up to the third-ranked class nationally. Following a commitment to Texas, the Longhorns moved to the third-ranked class and Miami dropped to fourth. Cohen was the first transfer to commit to Miami from the 2023 portal.
Okunlola is the third-highest-rated 2023 Miami commit and Bain is fourth. Miami will pair the top-ranked tackle in the 2023 class Francis Mauigoa with Okunlola who is the third-ranked OT. The Hurricanes have 292.08 recruiting points per the 247 Sports composite, Texas has 294.53. Marsdale summarized the 2023 Miami class.
Miami gets a commitment from Alabama starting OG Javion Cohen, who has started 25 games for the Crimson Tide. Cohen and the Canes two five-star OT recruits should provide a massive upgrade for Mario Cristobal's O-line.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 18, 2022
"4. MIAMI HURRICANESCommits: 24“Despite a rough season on the field, Mario Cristobal and staff are on fire on the recruiting trail. The big shocker was prying cornerback Cormani McClain, the No. 9 player from the Class of 2022 (Sic 2023). Many thought McClain was headed for Florida, but Cristobal and company were able to pry him to Coral Gables.Can the Hurricanes translate the success on the recruiting trail to the gridiron?”"
McClain is ninth in the 247 Sports 2023 rankings, but second overall in their composite which takes other sites into account. Miami held off Florida State for Bain and Florida for Okunlola. The addition of Cohen provides Miami with greatly-needed competition and depth on the OL. Miami might not be through.
The Hurricanes are making a late push for cornerback Damari Brown with sites differing on which program he will commit to and running back Mark Fletcher who is trending to Florida. Cristobal has proven his ability to close on recruits late. Miami signed several players late in the 2022 class.
Miami added edge rushers Nyjalik Kelly and Cyrus Moss and tight end Jaleel Skinner late during the 2022 Early Signing Period. Cristobal was able to flip Skinner from Alabama. During the traditional national signing period in February, Miami signed RB Tre’Vonte Citizen when he was projected to go to Florida.
Next. Miami bolsters OL with transfer Javion Cohen commitment. dark
Miami hosted several recruits and transfers this weekend ahead of the Early National Signing Period. Cohen was one of the transfers who visited Miami over the weekend. Bain has said he will help recruit some of the prospects who have not committed yet. It will be a busy week for Cristobal and the Miami football staff.