4-star RB Xander Edwards could be the key to a Miami recruiting pipeline in Jacksonville

We often talk about the success that Mario Cristobal has had in recruiting local talent to play for the Miami Hurricanes — the top prospects from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. But the Hurricanes' footprint is all over the state and Jacksonville is going to be a target area for the 2028 class.

The Hurricanes are already leaders for top edge rusher Asher Ghioto and the staff is also targeting one of his teammates at the Bolles School, four-star running back Xander Edwards. 

READ MORE: 247Sports crystal ball prediction has Miami trending well for 2028 5-star edge rusher

Edwards was incredible as a sophomore, rushing for nearly 2,629 yards and 44 touchdowns. His game log is impressive, and it was highlighted by a 522-yard, eight-touchdown game against Baldwin. That number broke Derrick Henry's single-game rushing touchdown record. 

4-star RB Xander Edwards has Miami at the top of his list

Edwards comes from very good stock. His father, Marc, played fullback at Notre Dame and was a second-round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers in 1997. Marc Edwards had an eight-year career in the NFL with the 49ers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.

The younger Edwards has lived up to his father's name in the backfield. He was named to MaxPreps' sophomore All-American team for his amazing season and the offers have been rolling in. Miami was early on board, offering Edwards in October, but this summer many of the top programs jumped on board with Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and Tennessee among those offering in the past month.

Miami's early persistence might pay off as Edwards attended the Legends Camp in June and told CanesInSight that the Hurricanes are high on his list. He added that he plans to attend a game at Hard Rock Stadium this fall.

"Miami is definitely up there on my list, just by the relationship I have with the coaches, and how they are telling me I'm their top guy," Edwards told Trinton Breeze from the website.

Edwards is a four-star prospect on both 247Sports and Rivals/On3. His composite ranking puts him among the top ten running backs in the country and a top-20 player in Florida. 

Miami's running back situation for the future is still fluid

The Hurricanes currently have one running back committed in the 2027 class, Ty Keys. With few spots remaining in the class, it's expected that Cristobal and staff will be on the hunt for two backs in the 2028 class. 

But that could change depending on the status of former top target Myson Johnson-Cook. Miami lost out on Johnson-Cook's recruitment when he committed to Auburn, but Cristobal has given up the possibility of a flip. If that happens, then they may opt to take just one back in the 2028 class.

READ MORE: Mario Cristobal and Miami haven't given up on chase for 4-star RB Myson Johnson-Cook

None of that should worry Edwards, because he's at the top of the Hurricanes' board. Now the Miami staff just has to hope that the feeling is mutual. 

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