Miami Hurricanes make it to next round for elite 4-star safety in Florida

Four-star safety Zayden Gamble has trimmed his recruitment to 10 schools, and Miami is in the running.

Gamble, a 2027 defensive back from Fort Lauderdale's St. Thomas Aquinas, is down to a final group that includes Miami, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Oregon, Ohio State, Auburn, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.

Four-star safety Zayden Gamble includes Miami in final ten schools

St. Thomas Aquinas is one of the state's most talent-rich programs year after year, and Gamble has been on the radar early.

Miami and Florida are the two in-state powers on the board, while the rest of the finalists are national recruiting heavyweights. Five of the schools on his updated list made it to the 2025 CFP.

Gamble is considered a top-three safety in Florida, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. On3's industry ranking places him as the No. 206 overall prospect nationally, the No. 24 safety and the No. 21 recruit in Florida for the 2027 cycle.

Gamble posted 65 total tackles (50 solo), three interceptions, one forced fumble and five passes defended during the 2025 season. As a sophomore in 2024, he logged 21 tackles and four interceptions, plus 133 interception return yards and a touchdown.

Gamble had multiple unofficial visits to Miami during the 2025 season, including trips in late August, September and November. Miami defensive backs coach Will Harris is his primary recruiter, with Zac Etheridge as the secondary recruiter.

If Gamble wants to stay close to home with a familiar environment, Miami and Florida are the obvious choices, and both have stayed heavily involved in the race. If that isn't what he's looking for, the SEC options (Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn) and national brands (Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon) offer plenty of visibility. Georgia Tech is also a solid choice as they had plenty of success last year.