After a slow start to recruiting, the Canes have recently had a string of commitments join their 2024 class. Like last year, coach Cristobal is being methodical, going through his process in building relationships and identifying talented players who will solidly commit to the program. This approach resulted in a slew of commitments that brought Miami’s class from the mid-sixties in recruiting to inside the top 25 at 23 in the 247Sports recruiting rankings. A priority position of need for Miami this cycle is the cornerback position. Miami has cast a wide net when it comes to the cornerback position and as coaches continue to evaluate some of the names will change. As of today, here are seven of the top targets that the Canes are recruiting heavily.
Ellis Robinson IV
Miami is targeting Ellis Robinson IV, an exceptional cornerback prospect with impressive athleticism. Robinson has a 4.5-second laser-timed 40, a 36-inch vertical leap, and long arms, making him a shut-down cornerback who can dominate one side of the field. He is the type of elite cornerback that Miami has struggled to recruit in the past decade. However, Miami faces an uphill battle as Robinson is committed to the defending champs Georgia Bulldogs. Miami has not given up on Robinson and will recruit him until the end.
Dylan Day (Miami Commit)
The Louisiana standout was targeted by Coach Guidry from the get-go. He is a versatile corner back who is fundamentally sound and has a knack for making plays. He is always around the ball and has fantastic instincts. Coach Guidry likes him as a nickel cornerback. Among his notable offers were Baylor, ASU, WVU and Ole Miss.
Chalil Cummings
Chalil Cummings 4-star athlete from Bradford High School in Florida, and is a top defensive back target for the Canes. Standing at 6’0 and weighing 190lbs, he has proven his ability to excel as both a wide receiver and defensive back, making him a versatile player that college coaches are eager to have on their teams. Although he has been scouted by multiple teams, the Miami Hurricanes are recruiting him specifically as a DB. Cummings’ impressive stats from the 2022 season show his prowess on the field, with 71 tackles and 3 interceptions. His talent doesn’t stop there; he also recorded 19 passes for 472 yards and 7 touchdowns while adding 64 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles to his name. Cummings is currently ranked #39 among ATH in 2024, and it seems that Miami and South Carolina are leading the race to sign him.
Ricky Knight
Ricky Knight is a talented athlete with excellent instincts and physicality, particularly as a corner with excellent closing speed and fluid hips. With his speed and versatility, he can excel in both zone and man coverage, making him a valuable asset for any team. Several in state schools, such as USF, UCF, and FSU, are competing with the Canes to sign him. The Miami Hurricanes are in a great position in his recruitment and are in a great spot to sign him as of today.
Kevin Leavy
Kevin Leavy is a top priority for the Miami Hurricanes, as they seek to bolster their secondary with his impressive speed. As a 3-star corner, he boasts a blazing 10.66, 100m sprint time, adding a dimension of pace that has been lacking in Miami’s defense. The Cardinal Newman High School standout from Palm Beach has received 20 offers from various schools, including the University of Florida, who is believed to be leading in the recruitment race.
Jamari Howard
Jamari Howard, one of the top players in Miami-Dade County is a prototypical corner with impressive speed that makes him a dominant presence on the field. At 6’3″ and 180lbs, he has a commanding stature that complements his remarkable agility and quickness, as evidenced by his impressive 4.45 40-yard dash time, which showcases his exceptional speed and explosiveness. Despite being committed to Michigan State, the Miami Hurricanes have continued to heavily recruit him. He is a highly-regarded prospect, ranked as the 101st best player in the nation in the 247Sports composite, and has received 29 offers from various schools, including top programs like Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Penn State.
Jon Mitchell
Jon Mitchell, a talented player from Mandarin High, has committed to Penn State. However, the Miami Hurricanes are still actively pursuing Mitchell, as he possesses great speed, having run the 100m in 11.06 seconds. With his versatility and ability to play multiple positions in the secondary, Mitchell is a highly sought-after prospect, having received offers from 35 schools. As with other top prospects such as Robinson and Howard, the Canes will continue to recruit Mitchell until the very end.
Other prospects to keep an eye on are Josh Philostin and Zabien Brown from California. Canes are high on Brown but the distance might hurt the Canes’ chances here. As previously stated in the safeties article, Canes are recruiting Zavien Mincey as both a safety prospect or cornerback prospect. It is important to note that both Josiah Trader and Lawayne McCoy both have the capabilities to play cornerback, although Miami is recruiting them as wide receivers. If we can say something about the Canes approach to their defensive back recruiting for the 2024 class, it is that both coach Cristobal and coach Addae are putting a premium on talented, versatile athletes that can play multiple positions.
