Mario Cristobal discussed the importance of being an elite recruiter working for him during his Early National Signing Period meeting with reporters on Wednesday. Several Miami assistant coaches ranked among the best recruiters in the ACC in the 2025 class.
Offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, wide receivers coach Kevin Beard and defensive line coach Jason Taylor all finished in the top 10 in the ACC during the 2025 recruiting cycle. Miami signed the top class in the ACC for the third consecutive year and the 15th-ranked class nationally in 2025.
Seven Miami coaches finished in the top 100 recruiters in the ACC. After Mirabal, Beard and Taylor, tight ends coach Cody Woodley was 30th, linebackers coach Derek Nicholson, 39th running backs coach Matt Merritt 65th and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawsons 67th.
Miami led the ACC with 15 four-star players. Georgia Tech is trending to sign the only five-star prospect in the ACC in offensive tackle Josh Petty. Petty had not signed as of late Thursday afternoon. Prospects have until Friday to sign during the Early Signing Period or wait until February.
Coach | Position | Points | Average | ACC ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alex Mirabal | Offensive line | 58.27 | 89.47 | 2 |
Kevin Beard | Wide receivers | 53.51 | 91.07 | 5 |
Jason Taylor | Defensive line | 53.24 | 90.84 | 6 |
Cody Woodiel | Tight ends | 39.17 | 90.78 | 30 |
Derek Nicholson | Linebackers | 36.68 | 89.44 | 39 |
Matt Merritt | Running backs | 24.03 | 94.03 | 65 |
Shannon Dawson | Offensive coordinator | 21.23 | 91.23 | 67 |
Mirabal was the lead recruiter for Miami signing four-star interior offensive lineman Seuseu Alofaituli who is projected to be a center in college. Miami also signed three-star prospects, IOL Max Buchanan and offensive tackles Demetrius Campbell and Jaden Wilkerson.
Beard was the lead recruiter for Miami signing four-star WRs Joshua Moore and Malachi Toney and three-star Daylyn Upshaw. Beard was the second-highest-ranked WR coach in the ACC during the 2025 recruiting cycle behind Fontel Mines of Clemson. Beard has been elite since returning to Miami under Cristobal.
Taylor is credited as the primary recruiter for four-star edge rusher signees Hayden Lowe and Herbert Scroggins and three-star Mykah Newton. Lowe is the top-ranked signee in the 2025 Miami class. Taylor has quickly become one of the best DL recruiters nationally in his second full cycle as a collegiate assistant coach.
Woodiel was the lead recruiter for four-star 2025 TEs Brock Schott and Luka Gilbert. Gilbert and Schott are projected to join Jackson Carver, Elija Lofton and Riley Wiliams to continue Miami having an elite TE room. Elijah Arroyo is expected to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
Nicholson was the lead Miami recruiter for four-star 2025 LB Kellan Wiley and three-star Ezekiel Marcelin signing with the Hurricanes in the 2025 class. Miami needed to build depth at LB for 2025. Continuing to develop LBs will be critical with Francisco Mauigoa graduating.
Merritt was the lead recruiter for Miami signing four-star RB Girard Pringle Jr. Pringle Jr. is a huge addition to the Miami RB room. Miami is expected to return Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle as their top RBs in 2025. Damian Martinez who led Miami in rushing in 2024 is expected to enter the NFL Draft.
Dawson was the primary recruiter for four-star quarterback Luke Nickel. Nickel immediately becomes the highest-rated QB on the 2025 Miami roster. Miami could pursue a transfer QB in the 2025 portal cycle. Rising redshirt sophomore Emory Williams would be the favorite to start in 2025 if Miami doesn't add a transfer QB.