Bruce Feldman reported South Carolina tried to get Neff Giwa, the fast-rising offensive tackle prospect from Ireland, to commit Monday with a large NIL push and skip his trip to Coral Gables. But Giwa still made it to Miami on Tuesday, opting to see Miami for himself.
This is Giwa's first trip to the United States, and he has already seen South Carolina, Michigan State, Clemson, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee before Miami.
South Carolina wanted to give Neff Giwa a huge NIL deal so he’d commit yesterday and cancel his Miami visit. But since Mario Cristobal was the towering OT prospect from Ireland’s first offer, Giwa still wanted to take the trip to UM. He is visiting the Canes right now. https://t.co/d680plXuoq
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) March 24, 2026
Why Miami still has real traction with Neff Giwa
The biggest reason Miami remains in this is relationship. Miami was the first school to offer Giwa, and that mattered enough for him to keep the visit in place even as South Carolina pushed hard to close. Giwa is new to American football recruiting, and when a player is still learning the landscape, the school that jumped in first can carry serious weight.
Miami is opening spring practice Tuesday, and Giwa will now be among the prospects expected on campus for that first day. If Cristobal's staff can turn this relationship into real trust, Miami could gain his commitment.
Neff Giwa is not the standard offensive line recruit
Giwa is an offensive tackle from Dublin, Ireland and comes in at 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds. He has never played organized football, but coaches are buying his athletic traits, size and projection.
Giwa grew up playing rugby and he has 37-inch arms and a 4.88-second 40-yard dash. Giwa is 20 years old and also has a background in soccer and basketball, in addition to rugby.
Miami offered Giwa after Cristobal saw a video of him on social media just last week, and then several Power 4 schools followed almost immediately.
During this recruitment, Giwa will want to take his time to make a decision that is best for him. The choice he makes will change the course of his athletic career regardless of the school. So for him, it is best to weigh all options before committing.