Elite 2027 Miami Hurricanes safety target sets commitment date

Four-star Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.) standout safety KJ Caldwell announced he will make his college decision April 3, narrowing his recruitment to Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, NC State and Vanderbilt.

Caldwell is listed at 6-foot, 176 pounds, and the 247Sports composite rankings peg him as the No. 84 overall prospect, the No. 7 safety in the class and the No. 12 player in Georgia.

4-star Safety KJ Caldwell sets commitment date for April 3

Caldwell has already spent time around Miami, having visited Coral Gables last summer.

Caldwell contributed in all three phases of the game for Parkview last season. He logged 38 tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery on defense, plus 37 carries for 264 yards and six touchdowns and 10 catches for 71 yards on offense. He also has big kick-return impact, averaging 42.8 yards per kick return and taking one back for a touchdown.

Miami has a long history of successful safeties

Miami has seen plenty of legends at the safety position over the years. It will be important to mention them in their pitch to any high school recruit.

Ed Reed is the gold standard. He set a school record with 21 career interceptions and picked off nine passes in 11 games as a senior in 2001. He carried that reputation to the NFL, where he was a nine-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro selection and the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Sean Taylor is still one of the most feared athletes UM has ever had in the secondary. In 2002, as a first-year starter, Taylor logged 85 tackles, four interceptions, and a 78-yard punt-return TD. He continued his success the following year before becoming a first round selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Bennie Blades, Brandon Meriweather, Kenny Phillips, Jaquan Johnson, Kamren Kinchens and Deon Bush are also names that should come up in a recruiting pitch for any safety that is interested in Miami.