A huge reason Mario Cristobal was hired by Miami was to significantly improve recruiting. Four-star edge rusher Hayden Lowe flipping to Miami on Wednesday moved the Hurricanes back into the top 10 in the 247Sports composite rankings. Miami is poised to sign a third-consecutive top 10 class.
Miami signed the seventh-ranked 2023 class in the first full cycle under Cristobal. Defensive lineman Rueben Bain was named the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bain and right tackle Francis Mauigoa were named true freshmen All-Americans and several other 2023 Miami signees were impactful in their first seasons.
Miami signed the fourth-ranked 2024 class. Cornerback O.J. Frederique has been maybe the best signee of the Cristobal era. Frederique has significantly exceeded expectations and has been the best player in coverage for Miami in 2024. Cristobal has given freshmen who have earned a chance to play significant snaps.
Lowe is the latest elite DL recruited to Miami by position coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. Taylor is the eighth-ranked recruiter in the ACC in the 2025 cycle. Miami wide receiver coach Kevin Beard is seventh in the 2024 ACC recruiter rankings.
Fewest Yards Allowed in Coverage This Season🔒 pic.twitter.com/Yk2cFY0OP7
— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 13, 2024
Cristobal and his staff are assembling a roster that should make Miami an elite team in the ACC for the foreseeable future and a nearly perennial contender for the College Football Playoff. Miami has the 14th-best roster nationally and is third in third in the ACC in the 2024 247Sports Team Talent Composite rankings.
Miami did an exceptional job accentuating the players they have signed in the past three classes with high-level transfers. Expect Cristobal to continue to prioritize recruiting and fill in the gaps in the rosters with transfers. Miami is poised to sign the top class in the ACC for the third recruiting consecutive cycle.