*all stars and rankings mentioned in this article are according to the On3 Sports Industry Ranking
This weekend is set to be one of the most important in Mario Cristobal’s time as head coach of the Hurricanes. 14 recruits, four of whom are rated as five-star prospects, are expected to make the trip down to Coral Gables for their respective official visits to Miami.
A chunk of the talent is on the defensive line, a position that UM’s coaching staff is recruiting heavily for this cycle. IMG (Fla.) Academy’s TJ Lindsey and David Stone have the size (both players are roughly 6-foot-4) and explosiveness off the line of scrimmage to become elite interior pass rushers at the collegiate level. Stone also has an official visit lined up to Oklahoma on June 16, which appears to be Miami’s main competitor for the five-star defensive tackle.
Also visiting from the defensive line, Aydin Breland and LJ McCray have the potential to take on double teams at the next level because of their size and length. McCray, at 6-foot-6.5, is one of the most athletically and physically gifted defenders in his class and has positional versatility across the defensive line. At 260 pounds, he has room to fill out his frame and reach his full physical potential.
At the edge position, Miami is welcoming a duo of five-star prospects in Colin Simmons and Dylan Stewart. Both players are remarkably explosive and have an argument for being the top pass-rushers in the class of 2024. Simmons is a tad shorter at 6-foot-3 than some of the other elite edge rushers, but his extraordinary length and incredible bend set him apart. Stewart stands at 6-foot-5 and could also play outside linebacker when he gets to college.
On the second level of the defense, the Hurricanes are hosting three-star linebackers Keyshawn Flowers and Cameron Pruitt. Flowers has the size (6-foot-2 and 215 pounds) and instincts to play middle linebacker in college. He’s a tremendous gap-filler, and his film is littered with explosive tackles for loss in opposing teams’ backfields. Pruitt is a linebacker/safety hybrid that could be an outside linebacker or box safety at the next level. He is a heavy hitter that draws some comparisons to UM freshman linebacker Bobby Washington, who impressed in spring football.
Georgia commit Ellis Robinson IV, the No. 1-ranked cornerback in the nation, is also set to visit Miami. He pledged to the Bulldogs in February, but the Hurricanes have remained persistent in their recruitment. JUCO prospect Sione Laulea has also announced his UM visit. At 6-foot-4, Laulea has incredible length that compares to some of the NFL’s best young cornerbacks, like Sauce Gardner and Tariq Woolen. Laulea is also the JUCO teammate of ‘Canes defensive back target Demetrius Freeney, who visited Miami last weekend.
The number of official visitors on offense isn’t quite as large, but that doesn’t mean the offensive recruits who are visiting are lacking talent.
Miami will welcome offensive lineman Tye Hylton. He projects as an offensive tackle in college. His film shows that he moves very well in space, but at 6-foot-4 and 272 pounds, he needs to fill out his frame a little bit more to reach a more playable collegiate weight.
Four-star prospects Braylon Staley and Elija Lofton are the two visiting pass-catchers. Staley is a very complete 6-foot wide receiver who can do a bit of everything. He has tremendous ball skills and can take the top off opposing defenses. Lofton is a 6-foot-2 tight end out of Bishop Gorman (Nev.) High School. He’s been compared to former Bishop Gorman and Miami tight end Brevin Jordan. Like Jordan, Lofton is a tad shorter than most other elite tight-end prospects but can play multiple positions on offense, can block really well and is a yards-after-catch threat.
Finally, at running back, IMG Academy’s Jerrick Gibson is visiting the ‘Canes. He is arguably the best at his position in this class and has featured-back potential at the collegiate level. Texas appears to be the biggest threat to Miami for his commitment.
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