Previewing Miami football June 21 DB and LB weekend visitors

Linebacker Elijah Melendez who is currently committed to the Hurricanes in the 2025 class, cornerback Ben Hanks and safeties Bryce Fitzgerald and Hylton Stubbs will be in Coral Gables beginning on Friday for the final weekend of June official visits.

Miami is hosting 10 2025 prospects this weekend with nine on defense. After previewing the linemen on Thursday, the visitors in the back seven will be previewed here. Melendez is one of three defensive players committed in the 2025 Miami class. Miami received a commitment from four-star safety Amari Wallace on Thursday.

Three-star CB Timothy Merritt is the third defensive player committed to Miami for 2025. Merritt committed earlier this month at the end of the weekend following his official visit. Miami will find out on June 27 if four-star CB Chris Ewald chooses them or Georgia.

Melendez will take his last official visit of the month with Miami this weekend. Auburn, Mississippi and Oklahoma previously hosted Melendez in the last month. The visit with Oklahoma particularly went well per reports. This is a critical weekend for Miami to re-secure the commitment from Melendez.

Melendez is the 135th prospect, 16th LB and 20th player in Florida out of Kissimmee Osceola. Miami has hosted Melendez six times for unofficial visits. That is the most of any program. Melendez has taken three visits to Auburn, Florida and Penn State. Michigan and Ohio State have hosted Melendez twice.

Stubbs has been committed to USC since March. Stubbs has taken four unofficial visits to Miami. Florida has hosted Stubbs the most often with 10 visits including his official last weekend. USC was the only other official visit Stubbs took during the weekend of May 31. There has been some speculation Stubbs could de-commit with USC losing two five-stars this week.

Hanks is a Florida legacy who previously took official visits to Louisville, the Gators, Florida State and Georgia. There are no 247sports crystal balls logged for Hanks Jr. On3 projects Florida as the leader for Hanks with a 45.6 percent chance for a commitment. Miami is second at 25.7 percent, with everyone else below 10.0 percent.

Miami is the favorite for Fitzgerald with a 59.4 percent chance for a commitment from On3. Other reports have stated that other programs have passed Miami. Fitzgerald is the 215th prospect, 20th safety and 30th prospect in Florida out of Miami Columbus. Fitzgerald has previously taken official visits to Florida and Florida State.

This is a critical weekend for Miami. Closing on Melendez and maintaining his commitment is important. Trying to flip Stubbs and potentially getting commitments from Hanks and Fitzgerald would be huge boosts to the 2025 Miami class. Miami should rise in the recruiting rankings in the next few weeks.