Miami football standing in 4-star RB Alvin Henderson Top 5

The Miami football program is reportedly in good position after being named in the top five for four-star running back Alvin Henderson. Auburn, Florida State, Oregon and Penn State are the other four in the top five for Henderson. New RBs coach Matt Merritt is leading the Henderson recruitment for Miami.

The early projections for Henderson favor Auburn. Several other reports project Florida State and Miami as a more likely destination for Henderson. Henderson told Chad Simmons of On3 last month he wants to go "somewhere where the coaching staff and my position coach will be stable."

Merritt is the third RBs coach for Miami in as many years under Mario Cristobal. Cristobal is clearly stable. Miami will likely have to convince Henderson that Merritt will be with Miami for the foreseeable future. Henderson is the 94th overall prospect, eighth RB and 10th player in Alabama in the 2025 class per 247Sports.

Henderson has taken unofficial visits to nine programs. Auburn, Florida State and Miami are the only programs in Henderson's top five to receive visits. Oregon and Penn State have not received visits. Miami is will receive an official visit from Henderson the weekend of June 21 per On3.

"Miami: “I went to Miami when they played Virginia Tech and I liked it then, and I went back again a few months ago. The thing about Miami is, Miami is like nine hours away, and they let me know before...When Sept. 1 hit, Miami was actually like one of the hardest schools to stay on me. Coach (Mario) Cristobal’s really the main reason — actually, the whole staff. We have a group chat called ‘A-Train to The U.’ Every time I’m talking to them, I’m face-timing like once a week, they’re letting me know ‘you’re our guy.’ I feel like the thing that separates Miami the most from any other school — they run that pro-style type of offense and Coach Cristobal is always going to get the best O-linemen no matter where he’s at. I feel like if I were to go to Miami I would produce early and make an early impact and would be surrounded by great coaches.”"

- Alvin Henderson via On3

Henderson has 7,274 rushing yards and 132 touchdowns in three high school seasons. Henderson has been named the Alabama 1A RB of the Year in the last two seasons. In each of his three seasons, Henderson has improved. Henderson ran for 1,115 yards as a freshman, 2,636 as a sophomore and 3,523 as a senior.

Henderson is expected to take official visits with all of the programs in his Top Five. Miami is reportedly the only one with a potential date locked in. The Hurricanes will receive the last official visit from Henderson. Hosting Henderson for his last official visit could be an advantage for Miami to gain a commitment.