Miami football prolific RB target calls Hurricanes visit eye opening

Four-star Elba, Alabama running back Alvin Henderson told Rivals.Com National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney that his visit with the Miami football program this weekend was eye-opening. Henderson is the 25th ranked prospect, fourth RB and second recruit in Alabama in the 2025 class.

In three seasons at Elba, Henderson has rushed for 7,274 yards, 132 touchdowns and has 33 100-yard games. Henderson ran for 3,523 yards and 61 TDs in 2023. That was an improvement over a great 2022 season with 2,636 yards and 47 TDs. The last two seasons have been eye-opening.

Henderson, who also plays baseball and basketball, has one 247Sports crystal ball projecting him to Auburn. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine projects Auburn with an 89.9 percent chance for a commitment from Henderson. Miami is listed with less than a one percent chance for a commitment from Henderson.

Never count out Mario Cristobal when it's a player the Miami football program covets. One thing working against Miami right now in Henderson's recruitment is that the Hurricanes do not currently have a RB coach. Miami has a mostly young RB room with all but Henry Parrish having eligibility beyond 2024.

"The Miami visit over the weekend was an “eye-opener” for Henderson especially as he sat down with coach Mario Cristobal and it clearly laid out that he’s the Hurricanes’ top priority at running back. Miami is definitely making a major move up but Penn State should definitely be watched here, too, as he loved his recent visit there and plans to return to Happy Valley soon. But Alabama and especially Auburn along with Oregon and Georgia are in the mix a lot, too."

- Adam Gorney, Rivals

Mark Fletcher projects to be the starting RB in 2024 and 2025. Fletcher is entering his sophomore season in 2024. Miami has Ajay Allen, Tre'Vonte Citizen, Chris Johnson and Parrish returning at RB in 2024. The Hurricanes signed Jordan Lyle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey at RB in the 2024 class and added Florida State transfer Rodney Hill.

Henderson is listed as one of the two top 2025 Miami RB targets by 247 Sports. Ousmane Kromah from Leesburg Lee County, Georgia, is the other 2025 Miami top RB target per 247 Sports. The willingness of Cristobal and his staff to play freshmen, especially at RB, should help in recruiting.

Miami rotated Allen, Fletcher, Parrish and Don Chaney Jr. who since transferred to Louisville, at RB during the 2023 season. Miami has done an exceptional job recruiting RBs recently. Henderson will continue to be a priority for Miami. The next RB coach for Miami will have to be an elite recruiter.