Note: LifeWalletSport’s Geo Millian contributed to this article
The Miami Hurricanes are putting a premium on the safety position for the 2024 class. As Kam Kinchens and James Williams enter their junior year, the Canes need quality talent at a position where they are currently thin. Mario Cristobal looks to be aggressive here and is willing to add up to three safeties in this class. Here are six of the major targets that Miami has been zeroing in on this cycle:
Zaquan Patterson
Patterson is a hard-hitting safety that can play close to the line of scrimmage but also possess good coverage skills. He can cover and hit in space and will continue to improve his senior season. Physical, strong and unafraid of contact, Patterson is the complete package at safety. The Canes have made Patterson a high priority target and are recruiting him extremely hard. They are hoping that Patterson can become a class ambassador for the defensive side of the ball like Chance Robinson for the offensive side. Patterson for his part also loves Miami despite receiving 28 offers with the likes of UGA, Bama, OSU, Texas, Texas A& M, Michigan and LSU among the most notable teams to offer. Despite heavy interest from big time programs, I like where Miami is sitting here in this recruitment.
Isaiah Thomas (Miami Commit)
Isaiah Thomas committed to Miami on Tuesday becoming the first safety to commit from the 2024 targets. Thomas originally hails from Toronto and has transferred to Clearwater Academy for his senior year. Thomas has good size for a safety at 6’2 205 lbs. and holds offers from Auburn, FSU, UF, PSU and Wisconsin, among others. He is a four star rated player on Rivals who has elite closing speed and length. He is physical and loves to hit and will fit in perfectly in a Guidry defense. Thomas will probably be a composite four star in the next couple of months as the recruiting services evaluate him. The Miami coaching staff did a great job in evaluating him early and treating him as a priority target. Expect more major offers to come in the following months from big time programs.
Brandon Jacob
One of the best safeties in the nation, Jacob hails from Evans High School in Orlando. He currently has 36 offers with programs such as Bama, Michigan , UF, Auburn, PSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M throwing their hat into the ring. Jacob has great ball skills and elite speed, something that has been lacking at Miami for years. Miami has also prioritized Jacob, and he is trending in the right direction for the Canes.
Jaylen Heyward
Jaylen Heyward is an absolute beast of a player. Hailing from Rockledge, Florida, he is ranked the #42 player in the nation and a composite top three safety nationwide. He currently has 35 offers and is a Georgia commit. Despite this, Miami has continued to make up a lot of ground on Heyward. Canes Defensive Backs coach Jahmile Addae has been putting in the work and has established a strong relationship with Heyward. Heyward is a playmaker with a knack for the ball and elite speed. He is strong and powerful, has world class range and can even cover corners one on one. Heyward is the complete package at safety. Canes fans should keep a close eye on this one.
Zavier Mincey
Another stud safety from Daytona Beach, Zavier Mincey is considered a top 20 player in Florida and is ranked 132nd in the 247Sports Composite. Mincey is a multi-sport athlete, as he plays football, runs track and plays basketball. He is very versatile with good cover skills and can play both corner and safety. The Canes coaching staff can take Mincey to play either safety or cornerback as he has the capability to do both. It is more than possible that the staff takes more than three names and use them in different positions on the field. Mincey would be one of these names as he gives the staff the flexibility to use him where he is needed the most.
Cameron Pruitt
Pruitt is another hybrid and versatile safety that the Canes staff covets. Pruitt currently has 23 offers including from programs such as Alabama, Florida, LSU Michigan State and Texas A&M. At 6’3 187 lbs, Pruitt is projected to continue to fill out and grow well past 200 lbs. This is another player that could end up as part of the class with the “safety” designation but could probably play another position. Because of his size, Pruitt projects well as a linebacker at the next level.
