4-star Miami commit Kenton Dopson III reclassifies to Class of 2026 amid UNC rumors

Elite Miami cornerback commit Kenton Dopson III is moving up his football timeline. The Miami Norland standout has reclassified from the 2027 cycle into 2026, a decision that further deepens the Hurricanes' loaded secondary haul and positions him to arrive in Coral Gables this spring.

"Being able to achieve my goal of playing college football a year earlier, that's too good to pass up," Dopson told Rivals/On3, adding that he’s been stacking online courses to accelerate the process and expects his 3.0 GPA to rise as those credits post. The 6-foot, 180-pound four-star said he remains committed to Miami despite a recent visit to North Carolina and reported interest.

The reclass gives Miami another blue-chip CB in a 2026 defensive back group that already includes Jaelen Waters, Jontavius Wyman, Cortez Redding, Camdin Portis and Brody Jennings. That cluster of corners and safeties has been a backbone of the Hurricanes class through the fall, and Dopson said he has already built connections with Portis and Jennings as he prepares for the jump.

Miami's overall 2026 class sits near the top. On3's Industry Rankings have the Hurricanes at No. 12 nationally and No. 1 in the ACC. The 247Sports Composite team rankings lists Miami at No. 12.

Dopson's recruitment hasn't gone quiet despite his commitment to Miami. He also told Rivals/On3 that Arkansas, Florida State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas and USC remain in contact, with the Longhorns and Trojans "standing out among that group." Even so, the local product emphasized he's focused on finishing his high-school season and preparing for college, not revisiting his commitment.

Reclassifying to 2026 would allow Dopson to sign in December and enroll for spring practice, accelerating his path to the field. Since the initial scare that Dopson was interested in flipping to UNC, there has been a lot of momentum for Miami. WR Malachi Toney was an early enrollee who is dominating as a true freshman.

That may have influenced Dopson into sticking with his commitment after reclassifying. Also, UNC has been in a free fall and there is uncertainty around whether Bill Belichick will stick around for the long-term future. Obviously, there are other programs to look out for, but it appears as though Miami still has a sizable lead.