Metrics guru Evan Miyakawa ranks Miami transfer class fourth nationally

New head coach Jai Lucas has landed four highly ranked transfers for Miami through the portal this spring. As a result, well-known metrics guru Evan Miyakawa, known by his site EvanMiya, ranks the 2025 Miami transfer class fourth nationally.

Miami added former Indiana forward Malik Reneau, who is originally from South Florida, guard Tre Donaldson, who transferred from Michigan via Auburn and is from Tallahassee, center Ernest Udeh Jr., from TCU via Kansas and is from Orlando and former New Mexico guard Tru Washington.

Miyakawa states in the fine print on the X post about the top five classes, "Rankings take into account both the quality and quantity of incoming transfers based on transfer rankings at EvanMiya.Com." Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee are the only three teams ranked ahead of Miami, with UCLA fifth.

Lucas, who was known as a great recruiter as an assistant coach at Texas, Kentucky and Duke, has quickly made an impact in the transfer portal since it opened on March 24. Donaldson, Reneau, Udeh and Washington project as starters for Miami in 2025-26.

Lucas and the Miami staff need a small forward to fill out the starting lineup and then need to continue to add transfers to create depth after losing the entire roster following the 2025-26 season. None of the incoming Miami players are ranked among the top 10 transfers by Miyakawa.

Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee all reached the regional semifinals in the NCAA Tournament. UCLA lost in the second round to Tennessee, who also eliminated Kentucky. Lucas has signed a top transfer class after Miami finished with a program record-tying 24 losses and only seven wins in 2024-25.

Lucas has set the foundation for Miami to have a redemptive season in 2025-26. Miami should be significantly improved with the transfers Lucas has already added. Filling out the remainder of the roster to add depth and continue upgrading the talent on the Miami roster will be critical for success in 2025-26.