Mario Cristobal setting foundation for Miami football being best recruiters in ACC
The Miami football program is on pace to sign their third consecutive top-ranked class in as many full recruiting cycles under Mario Cristobal. Miami signed the seventh-ranked class nationally in 2023 in the first full recruiting cycle under Mario Cristobal. Miami followed that up with the fourth-ranked class in 2024.
Commitments from four-star prospects, linebacker Gavin Nix, safety Hylton Stubbs and center Seuseu Alofaituli, this week moved Miami into the top 10 2025 classes per the 247Sports composite rankings. After moving up to as high as the seventh-ranked 2025 class, Miami is currently ninth.
Cristobal and the Miami staff is signing the talent Hurricanes need to set the foundation to become a perennial contender in the ACC and for the College Football Playoff. Under Cristobal and without a full staff, Miami scrambled and signed the 16th-best 2022 2022 class. Cristobal was hired two weeks before the Early Signing period for the 2022 class.
Miami has continually signed elite talent under Cristobal. The 2022 class finished third in the ACC. Clemson was first and North Carolina second. Ten of the 15 2022 Miami signees were four-star prospects. Miami signed two five-star prospects and 14 four-stars in the 2023 class.
The 2024 Miami class included three five-star signees and 11 four-star stars. Twelve of the 17 commits in the 2025 Miami class are four-star prospects. All three of the 2026 Miami commits are four-star prospects. The 2026 Miami class is currently fifth in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Cristobal and his staff have done an exceptional job identifying positions of need and signing those players. Miami targeted the offensive line and added five-star tackles Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola in the 2023 class. Five-star defensive linemen Armando Blount, Marquise Lightfoot and Justin Scott were 2024 Miami signees.
Next. Hot week recruiting moves Miami into top 10 2025 class. Hot week recruiting moves Miami into top 10 2025 class. dark
Miami is making the secondary a key priority in the 2025 class. Four-star cornerback Chris Ewald and safeties Amari Wallace and Stubbs were recent 2025 Miami commits. Expect Cristobal and the Miami staff to close late on some 2025 five-star prospects, especially if they challenge for ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff berths.