Miami and Colorado pushing hard to flip 2026 RB committed to Louisville

Louisville 2026 running back commit Lekhy Thompkins remains a priority flip target for Miami after another weekend in which the IMG Academy senior reaffirmed his pledge while keeping the door cracked for suitors. Thompkins returned to Louisville for the Cardinals' overtime loss to Virginia and feels good about his commitment, even as other programs continue to call.

The Hurricanes are one of two Power Four teams — along with Colorado — pushing the hardest. Miami has been involved since extending an offer over the summer and has remained present in the recruitment as the season has unfolded.

Miami has already hosted Thompkins once this fall. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound back was in the building for the Hurricanes' season-opening win over then-No. 6 Notre Dame at Hard Rock Stadium. That result set the early tone for UM's year and provided an on-campus look at the staff, locker room and game-day environment during a huge win.

On the field, Thompkins has produced like a blue-chip target. Through six games at IMG, he's rushed for 619 yards and nine touchdowns at 8.4 yards per carry, averaging 103.2 yards per game for one of the nation's toughest schedules. In high school he has 3,800-plus career rushing yards and the interest from schools should only continue to grow.

Thompkins committed to Louisville on May 23, returned for an official visit in June, and says he has a strong relationship with Cardinals running backs coach Chris Barclay. At the same time, his recruitment remains competitive, with Miami and Colorado applying consistent pressure heading into the stretch run of his senior season.

Miami has one running back pledged in its 2026 class: West Boca Raton (Fla.) four-star Javian Mallory who committed on March 22 and is rated a national top-300/top-25 RB prospect across the industry. On3 has Thompkins rated as a three-star.