Miami Hurricanes make top 4 in race for fast-rising local safety with decision ahead

Loia Valade, a three-star safety from West Boca Raton High in Boca Raton, Florida, has trimmed his recruitment to four schools: Miami, Florida, Texas A&M and Auburn. Valade is 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, and he cut several other Power Four programs from consideration, including Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.

Miami makes top 4 for 2027 safety Loia Valade

Valade is set to visit Miami on May 29, followed by Florida on June 4, Texas A&M on June 12 and Auburn on June 19. He has already taken previous trips to Miami, Florida, Kentucky and Ole Miss.

The Rivals/On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine currently gives Florida a heavy lead at 93.9%, with Auburn and Texas A&M behind.

Valade played defensive back and wide receiver at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, before transferring to West Boca Raton for his senior season.

As a junior at McCallie, Valade finished with 21 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups. On offense, he put up 456 receiving yards in 12 games. He has 664 receiving yards across his sophomore and junior varsity seasons.

The 247Sports Composite ranks him No. 505 nationally, No. 48 among safeties and No. 44 in Florida. The Rivals Industry Ranking has him No. 774 nationally, No. 83 at his position and No. 85 in Florida.

Valade's transfer to West Boca Raton gives Miami and the staff a chance to really connect with McCallie while he is playing football in South Florida. Considering he will be on campus for Miami later this month, the Hurricanes have a chance here, even if the decision predictions are going the other way.

West Boca Raton has won back-to-back FHSAA Class 6A state championships. The Bulls beat West Broward 31-0 in the 2025 title game after winning the program's first state championship in 2024.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow