According to CaneSport, New Miami Hurricanes defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge visited with 2026 Alabama four-star cornerback commit Zyan Gibson this week. Miami recently hired Etheridge, while Gibson has been committed to Alabama since Dec. 24.
Gibson is the No. 72 ranked prospect nationally, No. 7 CB and No. 4 player in Alabama out of Gadsden City per the 247Sports composite rankings. Miami officially offered Gibson last May under previous defensive backs coach Chevis Jackson, who recently left to take the same position at Wake Forest.
Miami signed three CBs in the 2025 class, added four transfers at the position for the upcoming season and has a commitment from legacy Camdin Portis to add to the room in 2026. With CB clearly a priority in the 2025 class and transfer portal, Miami can be more selective at the position in 2026.
Michigan State transfer Charles Brantley is the only CB Miami brought in through the portal for 2025 who has only one season of eligibility with the Hurricanes. Miami projects to have a deep CB unit for the next few seasons. The Hurricanes are attempting to flip Gibson from a position of strength.
Miami Hurricanes new DB coach hire Zac Etheridge visits four-star Alabama commit Zyan Gibson: "It was great to meet him" - https://t.co/0Zk4pErQ7x pic.twitter.com/2WtX7uwLHg
— CaneSport Miami Hurricanes (@CaneSport) January 31, 2025
Miami is working to flip 4-star Alabama commit Zyan Gibson
Alabama and Auburn have hosted Gibson the most frequently with five visits each. Gibson has taken two visits to Mississippi and one to Georgia. Miami hosted Gibson for his only visit to Coral Gables on Dec. 22. Gibson does not currently have any future visits scheduled per his On3 page.
Gibson is one of 39 CBs Miami has offered in the 2025 class per 247Sports, with On3 posting the Hurricanes have offered 24 players at the position. Miami is also favored to sign J'Vari Flowers at CB. Flowers is listed by On3 in the 2026 class, but he recently reclassified to 2025.
Cornerback seemed to be the last position Mario Cristobal and his staff prioritized in building the Miami roster. Cristobal has frequently stated the priority should be building a roster from the lines out. The roster should be more balanced in the future as Miami has acquired a lot of CB talent beginning with the 2025 roster.