It’s happy hour down in Coral Gables this evening for the University of Miami football program after landing their second addition of the day via the transfer portal. Marshall defensive end Elijah Alston announced his commitment to Miami on Thursday night after decommitting from Texas A&M on Tuesday, having been committed for less than 24 hours to the Aggies.
It’s been quite a whirlwind of a recruitment, but the Miami coaching staff was determined to get Alston in their pass-rushing attack for the 2024 season. They fought off other contenders in Colorado and Georgia, just to name a few other programs involved.
Alston will join a stout group of edge rushers returning to Miami next season, including fifth-year redshirt junior Akheem Mesidor, redshirt sophomore Nyjalik Kelly, and sophomore Rueben Bain Jr., the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Additionally, there are other talented pass rushers like sophomore Jayden Wayne and an incoming freshman class arriving with five-star Armondo Blount and four-stars Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett Jr., Cole McConathy III, and Elias Rudolph.
A 6-foot-2, 256-pound redshirt senior, Elijah Alston has produced 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and one interception for an 85-yard touchdown in 20 career starts during his time with the Thundering Herd. A team captain during the 2023 season at Marshall, Alston will be reuniting with his former defensive coordinator in Miami, Lance Guidry, whom Alston played for during the 2021 and 2022 collegiate football seasons.
Miami’s coaching staff decided to go all in on Alston in the transfer portal after reviewing his game film. They absolutely love his ability to get after the quarterback, and with his motor, they confidently believe he can be a double-digit sack performer next season for the Hurricanes.
Keep your eyes peeled, as Miami is still scouring the transfer portal and junior college ranks for a couple more additions on the offensive side of the ball before spring practices begin in March.