It's safe to say that Miami and Mario Cristobal are going all-in to make this a monster recruiting month.
The Hurricanes have been working overtime in bringing in top talent for unofficial visits during spring ball and even more big news has arrived. That's because there's a loaded group on campus as of this writing, with the huge list including 5-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews.
Miami in a recruiting battle with Florida State and Georgia for 4-star OL
For a while now, Matthews has been a top target for the Canes, as he's a total stud for St. Thomas Aquinas High in nearby Fort Lauderdale. Cristobal is doing everything he can to keep top talent at home and he wants this to be the case with Matthews. Could he end up committing in the near future?
5-star OL Mark Matthews is back in Coral Gables. https://t.co/W3XrPrbmMs https://t.co/P21taog4q7 pic.twitter.com/WJNvanXwZS
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) April 2, 2026
5-star OT Mark Matthews on a Miami visit should have Canes fans thinking of the future
Miami insider Gaby Urrutia shared quite the photo of Matthews on campus. Speaking of Urrutia, he put in a Crystal Ball pick for Miami to land the big-bodied lineman earlier this month as well, which of course had the UM faithful buzzing.
Now, Cristobal and Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal are working to get this over the line. That's of course not going to be easy, as just about every powerhouse in the country is wanting Matthews. Throughout his recruitment, the 6-5, 300-pounder has picked up 41 total offers.
Some schools have separated themselves, though, as Miami, Ohio State and Texas A&M and considered the favorites for him. According to the 247Sports Composite, Matthews is ranked five stars, the No. 1 OT in the land and No. 3 prospect overall for the 2027 class.
The proximity to home is something the Canes must work to their advantage, as it's something Matthews sure likes about The U. Miami's 2027 haul is off to a strong start, with seven pledges on board. That number is going to keep growing this spring and it's clear that Matthews is a top priority. Nothing is locked in there, but Miami no question is in a great spot.