The Miami football program added their seventh commitment overall and first defensive back in the 2025 class in three-star cornerback Timothy Merritt on Sunday. Merritt is the 451st player, 37th CB and 18th player in Alabama in the 2025 class out of Birmingham Parker.
Merritt provides Miami with excellent length at 6'2 and 180 pounds. Miami beat out Arkansas and Tennessee for a commitment from Merritt. Merritt told Inside the U and CaneSport thar the relationship he built with Miami defensive backs coach Chevis Jackson was the biggest reason he chose the Hurricanes.
Izubee Charles of CaneSport reported Merritt still plans on taking his official visit to Tennessee next weekend and Arkansas in two weeks. The official visit to Coral Gables this weekend was the first time visiting the Miami football program for Merritt. Per On3, Merritt took nine unofficial visits with five other programs.
Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi and Tennessee previously received two unofficial visits each from Merritt and Arkansas hosted him once. On3 projected Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama and Auburn in that order as the favorites before Miami received the commitment from Merritt on Sunday,
BREAKING: Class of 2025 CB Timothy Merritt has Committed to Miami, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 9, 2024
The 6’1 180 CB from Birmingham, AL chose the Hurricanes over Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, & Tennessee
“All glory to the most high! Time to work!”https://t.co/CFDGcJT7fh pic.twitter.com/krWtF265gf
Merritt is the second defensive player committed to Miami in the 2025 class. Four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez has been committed to Miami since December. Merritt was one of two CBs who took official visits to Coral Gables this weekend. Miami also hosted three-star CB Mark Manfred.
Merritt is primarily a CB but can also play safety. The length Merritt will provide for Miami is critical. Miami is accumulating length at CB. Sophomore Damari Brown and 2024 signee Dylan Day are both 6'2. Miami's future length at CB will provide difficult matchups for opposing WRs.
Manfred also provides Miami with excellent length at 6'2. Mario Cristobal, Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and Jackson clearly seek CBs with length. The Miami coaches also presented Merritt with a three-year plan per multiple recruiting outlets.