Miami football 2024 signees get big boosts in final recruiting rankings
The 2024 Miami football class finished fourth in the 247 Sports composite rankings. Several 2024 Miami signees received a boost in their rankings in the finalization of the class. Adam Gorney of Rivals praised several 2024 Miami signees in his column "Tuesdays with Gorney: Final 2024 Rivals250 released."
The biggest riser for Miami in the rankings was edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot. Rivals elevated Lightfoot to five-stars. Lightfoot is the 34th-ranked player in the 247Sports rankings. That is two spots below being a five-star prospect. Three Miami signees are ranked as five-star prospects by Rivals.
In addition to Lightfoot, defensive tackles Armondo Blount and Justin Scott received five-star rankings from Rivals. Safety Zaquan Patterson is the 36th overall player nationally by Rivals. Rivals has 31 five-star players in the 2024 class. Rivals ranks Miami's 2024 class fifth nationally.
Lightfoot and Booker Pickett Jr. had dominant performances in the postseason all-star games. Lightfoot was one of the biggest risers in the 247 Sports final rankings. After previously being ranked 60th overall by 247Sports, Lightfoot moved up 24 spots. Lightfoot is 53rd in the 247Sports composite rankings.
"Miami signee Marquise Lightfoot moved up to five-star status because he was unstoppable off the edge. No one had the speed to get into their set and block him...Miami signee Booker Pickett is another one who was so productive during Under Armour week...Miami signee Justin Scott was more athletic at the All-American Bowl than he gets credit for and he has tons of potential, too."
- Adam Gorney Rivals
Hudson Standish of 247Sports also called Lightfoot nearly unblockable during practices and the game at the All-American Bowl. Standish stated that Lightfoot has one of the quickest first steps in the 2024 class but needs to add body mass. Standish expects Lightfoot to contribute as a situational pass rusher as a freshman.
Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U wrote "It's official: Miami signed the best defensive line class in the 2024 recruiting cycle." In addition to Blount, Lightfoot, Pickett and Scott, Miami also signed four-star edge rusher Elias Rudolph and four-star defensive tackle Artavius Jones. Miami should be able to control the line of scrimmage defensively in the next few seasons.
Rivals has four-star Miami signee Jordan Lyle ranked as the third-best RB. Miami has an exceptional class offensively and defensively. Miami also signed four-star wide receivers Ny Carr, Chance Robinson and Joshisa Trader in the 2024 class. Expect one of the freshman WRs to contribute in 2024.
Lyle will have a more difficult time breaking into the rotation. Running back is the deepest position on the 2024 Miami roster. Miami signed a top 10 class for the second straight year. The Hurricanes had the seventh-ranked 2023 class per the 247Sports composite rankings.