The Miami football program is strongly recruiting nine of the Rivals.Com top 50 prospects according to the site’s National recruiting director Adam Gorney in an article he posted earlier this week about the “Latest on the top 50 standouts in 2024.” A few of the Rivals’ top 50 players are already committed to other programs.
The top-ranked player Miami is pursuing is wide receiver Jeremiah Smith from Hollywood Chaminade Madonna. Smith is the second-ranked player overall, the top WR and already committed to Ohio State. Miami has yet to hire a new WR coach. Trying to flip Smith from the Buckeyes will be a priority.
The Miami football program is the front-runner for Smith’s teammate Joshisa “JoJo” Trader. Per On3 Trader has taken three unofficial visits to Miami and two to Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and Texas A&M. Gorney stated that Ohio State is close on the recruitment of Trader as playing with Smith in college is a draw.
Five-star prospect David Stone is the 14th ranked player, third defensive tackle and second player in Florida at IMG Academy by Rivals. Originally from Oklahoma, Gorney has the Sooners and Michigan State atop his list. Miami, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Washington are also on Stone’s watch list.
Columbus is expected to become a Miami football pipeline with Mario Cristobal an alum. Five-star Columbus prospect T.J. Capers committed to Louisville last month. Rivals ranks Capers as the 17th-best prospect, second-best linebacker and fourth in Florida in the class of 2023. Expect Miami to continue to be president with Capers.
Building a team that is strong on the line of scrimmage is the priority for Cristobal. Four-star Tampa Catholic offensive guard Eddy Pierre-Louis is favoring Florida per Gorney. Miami is in the mix with Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon behind Florida. Miami is building a special offensive line with the 2023 signees.
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Four-star safety Zaquan Patterson is the third Chaminade-Madonna star Miami is strongly recruiting. Georgia and Miami are the programs most intriguing Patterson per Gorney. The projection from Gorney is that a trip to Ohio State could move the Buckeyes up the ladder and Michigan is also being strongly considered.
Linebacker Dylan Williams out of legendary Long Beach, California Poly is a player who is strongly considering Miami. Gorney stated that trips to Alabama, Miami and Tennessee could be important. Williams was reportedly seen wearing Oregon gear. USC is the prohibitive leader per the projections from On3.Com.
In the two recruiting classes under Cristobal Miami has signed a top 10 tight end each year. Four-star TE Landon Thomas is the top 10 player at the position in 2024. Thomas is committed to Georgia, but Miami was the dream school for Thomas growing up per Gorney. Michigan and Ohio State are also pursuing Thomas.
The last player on Gorney’s list being strongly pursued by Miami is four-star strongside defensive end T.A. Cunningham from Los Alamitos, CA via Johns Creek, GA. Colorado, Miami, Penn State and Tennessee all have visits coming up from Cunningham. Georgia and USC are also programs strongly recruiting Cunningham.