Miami Hurricanes positioned to bolster defense in race for 4-star linebacker

Four-star linebacker Jalaythan Mayfield has Miami on his short list.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on before the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on before the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Four-star linebacker Jalaythan Mayfield, one of the top junior prospects in North Carolina, has Miami on his short list after recently trimming his recruitment to five finalists. Mayfield, a Lincolnton High School standout, announced his top group on Feb. 5 and included the Hurricanes along with Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Oregon.

Mayfield's top 10 was Miami, Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, NC State, Ole Miss, Oregon and South Carolina.

4-star linebacker Jalaythan Mayfield includes Miami in final five schools

Mayfield is listed at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. As a sophomore in 2024, Mayfield totaled 109 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. He also logged 36 rushing attempts for 181 yards and three touchdowns.

Mayfield posted 104 total tackles (89 solo), six sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during the 2025 season. He also finished as Lincolnton's top rushing TD threat with 13 rushing touchdowns.

Miami Hurricanes 2027 commits

Miami currently has four commits in its 2027 Class.

  • Demarcus Deroche (ATH), Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 
  • Ah'Mari Stevens (WR), Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 
  • Jaylyn Jones (S), McArthur (Davie, Fla.) 
  • Zaquan Linton (OT), Palm Beach Central (West Palm Beach, Fla.)

Miami Hurricanes 2026 defensive commits

  • Asharri Charles (ATH), Venice (Venice, Fla.)
  • Keshawn Stancil (DL), Clayton (Clayton, N.C.)
  • JJ Dunnigan (S), Manhattan (Manhattan, Kan.)
  • Camdin Portis (CB), Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.)
  • Jaelen Waters (CB), Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
  • Jordan Campbell (EDGE), Miami Northwestern (Miami, Fla.)
  • DeAnthony Lafayette (EDGE), Lake Nona (Orlando, Fla.)
  • Isaac Chukwurah (DL), Caravel Academy (Bear, Del.)
  • Justin Edwards (LB), Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.)
  • Frederic Sainteus (DL), St. John Neumann (Naples, Fla.)
  • Logan Nagle (DL), DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.)
  • Karsten Busch (LB), St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.)
  • Brody Jennings (CB), Mandarin (Jacksonville, Fla.)
  • Cortez Redding (S), Jonesboro (Jonesboro, Ga.)
  • Jontavius Wyman (CB), Jonesboro (Jonesboro, Ga.)
  • Tyson Bacon (DL), Hoover (Hoover, Ala.)

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