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National recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong discusses potential Miami DB flips

On3 Vice President of National College Football Recruiting and Transfer Portal Steve Wiltfong extensively discussed potential prospects Miami could flip in the 2025 class including defensive backs on his podcast last week.

By Alan Rubenstein

Sep 28, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes cheerleader runs across the field with a 'U" flag during the first half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes cheerleader runs across the field with a 'U" flag during the first half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images / Kim Klement-Imagn Images
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Steve Wilftong Vice President of National College Football Recruiting and Transfer Portal for On3 discussed potential flips for Miami in the 2025 class on his eponymous podcast the Wiltfong Whiparound last week. Defensive back might be the toughest position for Miami to flip prospects in the 2025 class.

Miami currently has the ninth-ranked 2025 class nationally and first in the ACC per the On3 Industry Rankings. Five four-star and one three-star defensive back are committed to Miami in the 2025 class. Flipping a potential five-star prospect in the secondary could give Miami the best 2024 DB class.

Miami already flipped four-star Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna cornerback Chris Ewald already flipped from Michigan to Miami in the 2025 class. New Iberia, Louisiana Westgate prospect Jaboree Antoine who was previously committed to LSU. Miami loses DBs Darryl Porter Jr. and Mishael Powell after the 2024 season.

Miami was among the leaders for five-star DB D.J. Pickett who committed to LSU and Florida four-star commit CB Ben Hanks before they announced their college intentions. Wiltfong specifically discussed the chances of Miami flipping Hanks or Pickett on the Whiparound last week.

"There's a time in the beginning of the Season where we thought DJ Pickett a flip might be imminent. You know he showed up at that game and Gainesville where the Hurricanes dominated the Gators, in person he witnessed that then he makes a return trip to Miami...Ben Hanks Jr is another Florida commit that Miami will continue to chop wood on. Another Florida Legacy recruit his dad played for the Gators. Miami's had him in for a couple games this year. They're going to keep recruiting Ben Hanks Jr. "

- Steve Wiltfong, On3

Pickett is the cousin of Miami true freshman defensive lineman Booker Pickett Jr. Hanks as Wiltfong mentioned is a Florida legacy, but plays for Miami Booker T. Washington. With 16 days until the Early National Signing Period commences, expect Miami to continue recruiting Hanks Jr. and Pickett Jr. hard to facilitate a flip.

Florida beat LSU 27-16 on Saturday. The Gators improved to 5-5 with the win and LSU dropped to 6-4 with the loss. With Miami 9-1 heading into the final two games of the 2024 regular season that is a strong selling point for Mario Cristobal, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and CBs coach Chevis Jackson to Hanks and Pickett.

Jackson is credited by 247Sports as the recruiter that led to Miami gaining commitments from Antoine, Ewald, CB Timothy Merritt and safety Bryce Fitzgerald in the 2025 class and CB Camdin Portis in the 2026 class.

Based on the ratings points of the above Miami commits, Jackson should be the second-best recruiter in the ACC in the 2025 class. Miami will significantly elevate the talent in the secondary when the 2025 class arrives. The secondary has been a weakness for Miami in 2024.

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