Miami football still recruiting four top unsigned 2023 recruits

The Miami football program is still involved with four of the 2023 top recruits who did not sign last month during the early signing period. Five-star cornerback Cormani McClain remains committed to Miami despite not signing a National Letter of Intent during the Early National Signing Period last month.

Per On3, McClain, five-star athlete Nyckoles Harbor and four-star prospects, cornerback Rodrick Pleasant and wide receiver Taeshaun Lyons are all unsigned recruits still considering Miami. Pleasant is using his last official visit with USC on January 13. The Miami football program remains a long shot for Pleasant.

Pleasant previously took official visits to Boston College, California, Oregon and UCLA. USC is the prohibitive favorite for a commitment from Pleasant per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Some speculation had been that if McClain signed with another program Miami would more strongly recruit Pleasant.

Miami signed CBs Damari Brown, Antione Jackson and Robert Stafford during the early signing period in December. The Hurricanes also added Central Florida transfer Davonte Brown, the brother of Damari. Miami could add another CB through the transfer portal or via a late emerging signee.

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Harbor has taken official visits to Maryland, Michigan and South Carolina. Oregon will host Harbor for an official visit the weekend of January 27. Miami was on the list for Harbor at one point but was not among the five other programs that he took unofficial visits to over the last year and a half.

Lyons committed to Washington on December 16, but as with McClain did not sign during the Early National Signing Period. Miami hosted Lyons in November. Lyons took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame in November and Washington in June. Washington remains the prohibitive favorite per On3.

Mario Cristobal has proven the ability to close late in the recruiting cycle. Miami flipped tight end Jaleel Skinner from Alabama in January 2022 and signed running back Tre’Vonte Citizen when most of the projections had the Louisiana star signing with Florida. Expect more surprises from Cristobal and Miami in 2023.