Miami football being challenged for 2025 4-star LB commit Elijah Melendez

The commitment from 2025 four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez has become tenuous with several reports emerging the Miami football program will be challenged for the Kissimmee Osceola star. Adam Gorney the Rivals.Com National Recruiting Director reported on Monday all four programs hosting Melendez for official visits are even.

Melendez has taken official visits with Auburn, Mississippi and Oklahoma the last three weekends. Miami will host Melendez on his official visit this weekend. David Johnson of 247Sports reported Mississippi is even with Miami in Melendez's recruitment.

Linebackers coach and recently promoted co-defensive coordinator Derek Nicholson is leading the recruitment of Melendez for Miami. Auburn defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin who was previously the head coach at Maryland is leading the recruitment for the Tigers.

Gorney reported Melendez believes that Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is a LB guru who made him feel like a priority and feel at home in Norman. Melendez still loves Miami, per Gorney. Melendez is the second-longest 2025 Miami commit behind quarterback Luke Nickel.

Melendez is the 81st prospect, 16th player in Florida and second inside LB in the 2025 Rivals rankings. Rivals rank Melendez as the top prospect committed to Miami in the 2025 class. Three-star cornerback Timothy Merritt is the only other defensive player committed to Miami in the 2025 class.

Melendez told Chad Simmons of On3 "After the visit to Miami, I will go home, sit down, take some time, and make my final decision. All four schools are up there." Melendez taking his last official visit to Miami should be viewed as a positive.

Mario Cristobal, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and Nicholson will have an opportunity to counter the pitches from Auburn, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Cristobal, Guidry and Nicholson will be able to reassert their plan for Melendez and how he will be used in the Miami defense in the future.