Blount is an early enrollee who also re-classified from the 2025 class. Miami gains a versatile player who can be an edge rusher or tackle on the defensive line. At 6'3.5 and 250 pounds, Blount likely needs to add bulk to his frame before gaining consistent snaps at defensive tackle. This will be an important spring for Blount.
Marquise Lightfoot was a late bloomer in the 2024 Class. Lightfoot did not gain his fifth star until the final 2024 rankings were released. Some projections value Lightfoot as a situational pass rusher as a freshman. With Rueben Bain and others in front of him, Lightfoot should be able to develop at his own pace as a true freshman.
John Garcia of Rivals called Patterson one of the best pure football players in the 2024 class and said it would be a surprise if it took the freshman safety long to make a splash. Miami added transfer safeties Mishael Powell, Savion Riley and Isaiah Taylor as transfers. Expect Patterson to challenge them for first-team snaps this spring.
Hayes has ideal size at linebacker. Miami flipped Hayes from Florida late in the 2024 cycle. Miami is unproven at LB behind Bissainthe. Expect Hayes to challenge sophomores Raul Aguirre, Malike Bryant, Marcellius Pulliam and Bobby Washington for snaps. Hayes is higher rated than any of the Miami sophomore LBs.