Miami transfer class moves into top 5 with spring portal additions

The additions of linebacker Kamal Bonner from North Carolina State, kicker Bert Auburn from Texas, and wide receivers Keelan Marion from BYU and Tony Johnson from Cincinnati through the portal this spring have elevated the 2025 Miami transfer class to fourth nationally in the 247Sports rankings.

Auburn, Bonner, Johnson and Marion should all at the very least challenge to be 2025 starters for Miami. Auburn provides Miami a veteran kicker to replace Andres Borregales, Bonner gives Miami an experienced and productive LB at a position the Hurricanes need depth and Johnson and Marion bring proven WRs.

Auburn had 373 points for Texas in the last three seasons combined. In three seasons as the primary kicker for Texas, Auburn is 22 out of 24 on field goal attempts from 20 to 29 yards, 20 out of 23 from 30 to 39 yards, 22 out of 33 from 40 to 49 yards and two out of six on field goals of 50 yards plus.

Auburn left Texas as the Longhorns' all-time leader with 66 made field goals and 376 points in a program that produced Justin Tucker, who is the NFL's all-time leader in field goal percentage. Struggles at the end of last season preceded Auburn's transfer. Auburn made eight of 14 FG attempts in the last five 2024 games.

Bonner became a starter for North Carolina State in 2024 because of an injury and had 56 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and one sack as a redshirt freshman. With three seasons of eligibility remaining, Bonner is a player Miami can potentially build around at LB for the future.

Johnson has 108 career receptions for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns in three seasons at Florida Atlantic and one with Cincinnati. All of those numbers were from the last three years. Johnson played in one game without a reception during the 2021 season at FAU.

Marion spent his first two seasons at Connecticut and became an All-American kick returner at BYU last season. In his four-season collegiate career, Marion has 38 kickoff returns for 881 yards and two TDs that were both scored last season and 10 punt returns for 124 yards.

Marion has 76 career receptions for 1,125 yards and seven TDs with 30 carries for 136 yards and five scores. Miami will expect Marion to have a much bigger role in their offense than he did at BYU or UConn. Marion will provide Miami with a versatile player who can impact the game receiving, rushing and returning.

The fourth-ranked 2025 Miami transfer class joins the 13th-ranked recruiting class. LSU, Texas Tech and Mississippi are the only transfer classes ranked ahead of Miami. Miami has the third-highest average grade at 90.36 per transfer. Oregon is first with a 91.60 average transfer grade and LSU is second at 90.56.