The Miami Hurricanes have advanced in the recruitment of Mark Bowman, the nation's top-ranked tight end for the class of 2026. Bowman, a standout from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, has narrowed his college choices to seven programs: Miami, Georgia, Texas, USC, Oregon, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. He just recently wrapped up an official visit to Ole Miss.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 230 pounds, Bowman the size for the next level. His performance at Mater Dei, a school renowned for producing NFL talent, has solidified his status as one of the best prospects in the 2026 class. Bowman is ranked as the No. 1 TE in 2026, according to On3.
Miami's inclusion in Bowman's final list could allow the program's reputation as "Tight End U" to continue. The Hurricanes have a history of developing elite tight ends, with Elijah Arroyo being the most recent to make the jump to the NFL in the 2025 draft. Prior to Arroyo, names like Greg Olsen, Jeremy Shockey, Jimmy Graham, and David Njoku represented Miami in the NFL. That is in addition to many TE's who were also drafted and provided good depth to teams.
Head coach Mario Cristobal's deep ties to the West Coast, stemming from his tenure at Oregon, may play a pivotal role in Bowman's recruitment. Cristobal's familiarity with the region and established relationships could provide Miami with a competitive edge.
Bowman's official visit schedule includes a trip to Miami on May 30, followed by visits to Texas, Georgia, USC, and Oregon in June.
The Hurricanes 2026 recruiting class is already shaping up to be formidable, with commitments from top prospects like offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell. Adding Bowman to the mix would further put the nation on notice of Miami being one of the best programs in the nation.