Miami football 2024 class 7th after flipping LB Adarius Hayes from Florida

The Miami football program is the seventh-ranked 2024 recruiting class after flipping four-star linebacker Adarius Hayes from Florida. Hayes' signing with Miami was preceded by five-star safety K.J. Bolden flipping from Florida State to Georgia. Miami fell from fourth to seventh after losing running back Kevin Riley to Alabama.

Hayes is the 73rd prospect, seventh LB and 12th player in Florida out of Largo. Miami adds Hayes and Cameron Pruitt to a LB corps that had four 2023 signees and the projected return of Wesley Bissainthe, K.J. Cloyd and Francisco Mauigoa at the position in 2024. At 6'4, 210 pounds, Hayes will be the tallest LB on the 2024 Miami roster.

Miami LB coach Derek Nicholson gets the credit for Hayes flipping to the Hurricanes. Nicholson was reportedly relentless in the recruitment of Hayes per head coach Mario Cristobal. When Nicholson was hired in February, Hayes was already committed to Florida. As expected, Nicholson is also credited with Miami signing Pruitt.

Hayes flips to the Miami football program after taking his official visit with the Hurricanes this past weekend. Hayes is the third recent flip for Miami. Miami previously flipped five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott and four-star running back Jordan Lyle. Miami could have one more big flip coming later on Wednesday.

Miami is projected to flip five-star defensive lineman Armondo Blount from Florida State on Wednesday evening. The signing announcement for Blount will take place at 6 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday night. Mario Cristobal has lived up to his reputation as an elite recruiter. Miami would move up to third with a Blount commitment.

Hayes will join an elite defensive class that Miami is building. Miami has three top 100 players in their 2024 class per the 247 Sports Composite rankings. Scott is seventh overall, four-star safety Zaquan Patterson is 47th and edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot is 60th. Miami has significantly upgraded at LB in the last two classes.