5-star QB Israel Abrams could prove to be Mario Cristobal's biggest recruiting win at Miami

Back in April, the Miami Hurricanes pulled off one of their best recruiting wins of the cycle, landing five-star quarterback Israel Abrams over a crowded field shortly after he took a spring trip to Coral Gables.

Getting Abrams in the class not only filled a major need for the Hurricanes in the 2027 class, but it proved to be a tell-tale sign for the future that will have lasting effects as Miami continues to build a program that will consistently compete for championships. 

READ MORE: Cam Ward got a first-hand look at Miami's bright future with his 5-star successor

But Rivals/On3 recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong explained exactly how big of a win Abrams was for Mario Cristobal and staff during last week's Rivals Summer Signing Special. 

"How about Miami closing on Izzy Abrams, one of the top quarterbacks in the country? They were probably running No. 4 in his recruitment before he took his visit to Coral Gables and instantly jumped in the fold," Wiltfong said.

Jumping from No. 4 to a commitment for a recruit as highly-touted as Abrams is a tall task and an amazing job from Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to present enough to Abrams where he effectively shut down his recruitment immediately. It would've been one thing for Miami to gain ground on the other schools pursuing Abrams, but he loved the trip so much he decided he didn't want to talk to or deal with any other school.

Miami's successful pursuit of 5-star QB Israel Abrams will pay off for a long time

Abrams said during The Opening that the Hurricanes beat out Purdue and Auburn, but the top-10 national prospect and second-highest ranked quarterback in the country had a host of offers that included Indiana, Tennessee, Florida State, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Michigan State and many more. 

The Hurricanes class was already very good before Abrams joined, but his commitment helped take things to the next level. Everyone wants to play with a blue-chip quarterback and not just players on offense. Whether it's the five-star flips of defensive back Donte Wright Jr. and edge rusher Jaiden Bryant or the recent pledge from four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard, it can all be traced back to Abrams' commitment, because the quarterback is generally the centerpiece of the class and the guy that everyone else wants to follow.

READ MORE: Miami lands a 4-star California WR in an undeniable show of recruiting strength

We've often touched on how Abrams' recruitment set up the future for the Hurricanes. A week after he committed, Knox Annis gave the Hurricanes an arm for the 2028 class and in late June, top 2029 signal caller CJ Cypher made his pledge to the Hurricanes, completely restructuring the Miami quarterback room with high school recruits for years to come.

READ MORE: Miami lands elite 2029 QB after his breakout freshman season put the country on notice

Abrans should prove to live up to his billing over the next few years and the hope is that Annis and Cypher will continue the play into the next decade, which should lead to more blue-chip quarterbacks coming through Miami. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow