Miami has the latest recruiting momentum for four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard. But the Canes still need to overcome one big advantage that Cal holds.
Woodard will choose between Miami, Cal and UCLA on June 30 after a month of official visits. According to On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine, Miami sits at the top at 97.4% for the 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver from Temecula, California. That is in part because six recruiting insiders have picked the Hurricanes to land Woodard.
But there is one factor that is keeping Cal in the running, outside of being close to home.
Woodard's Chaparral quarterback, Dane Weber, committed to Cal in May. The two already have years of chemistry, and Woodard has said that connection is a meaningful bullet point in the decision.
Weber is a four-star 2027 prospect ranked No. 426 nationally, No. 29 among quarterbacks and No. 34 in California in the Rivals Industry Ranking. Weber completed 218 of 311 passes for 3,645 yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior in 2025, while adding 688 rushing yards for Chaparral.
Eli Woodard's recruitment journey
The Rivals Industry Ranking ranks him No. 156 nationally, No. 23 among wide receivers and No. 16 in California. The 247Sports Composite places him No. 164 nationally and No. 24 at the position. Woodard caught 51 passes for 1,070 yards and 17 touchdowns at Chaparral in 2025.
Woodard opened his official-visit schedule at Miami on May 29, and then visited Cal on June 5 and UCLA on June 19.
Miami cornerback commit Donte Wright Jr. was on campus with Woodard during the official visit and the two California prospects have become close.
Woodard also cited the atmosphere around the program, calling Miami's "family vibe" one of the aspects that stood out. Miami quarterback commit Israel Abrams has also been in contact with Woodard.
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