When the University of Miami lost out on nationally rated 5-star cornerback recruit D.J. Pickett from Zephyrhills, it hurt. But if you are a fan and take a step back and look at the entire picture, there is simply nothing to be upset about.
Recruiting the past two years with a 13-13 record as a calling card, what head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff have done is nothing short of amazing.
Think about it. Outside of south Florida and throughout the state of Florida, the Hurricanes are truly a non-factor. Since 2014, this program has a 73-53 record, which is not what the fans of the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s are used to.
Since 2008, they are 1-10 in bowl games and have finished in the Top 20 just three times.
The negatives could go on, but that points out what has happened in Coral Gables. When Cristobal arrived, he didn’t look back one time. What was done – is something you can never get back. It was all about moving forward.
Any other coach, who had a less than spectacular program to sell would certainly be mired in the same old thing. Fighting for a .500 record and wishing to play in a bowl game.
With a top five recruiting class last year, and so far, a top 10 in this 2025 cycle, the average fans need to pinch themselves that they are winning battles against FSU, Ohio State, Alabama and several other top programs across the country.
No longer are they battling against low-end programs to get prospects that will keep them below .500. The ‘Canes are recruiting with the big boys and add to the fact that they are killing it in the transfer portal and the competitive world of NIL, it only increases the expectations for this year and into the future.
THE 2025 CLASS IS FILLING NEEDS
While the portal and NIL fill immediate needs, there also must be athletes that you are going to develop and mold into your style of football player.
This 2025 class has it all, and they are not finished.
On offense, they have high “star” rankings such as lineman Seuseu Alofaituli (6-3, 280, Las Vegas Bishop Gorman), tight end Brock Schott (6-3, 215, Leo, Indiana), running back Gerard Pringle Jr. (5-10, 182, Seffner Armwood), tight end Luka Gilbert (6-7, 233, West Chester Lakota West, Ohio), quarterback Luke Nickel (QB, 6-2, 215, Alpharetta, Georgia), receiver Daylyn Upshaw (5-11, 180, Phenix City Central, Alabama), linemen Max Buchanan (6-4, 275, Sanford Seminole), Demetrius Campbell (6-6, 300, Orlando Christian Prep), Takaylen Muex (6-3, 340, Neptune Beach Fletcher) and Jaden Wilkerson (6-6, 330, Orlando Edgewater).
Defensively, there are loading up a well with linebacker Gavin Nix (6-0, 225, Bradenton IMG Academy), defensive back Hylton Stubbs (6-1, 190, Jacksonville Mandarin), cornerback Amari Wallace (5-10, 172, Miami Central), cornerback Chris Ewald (6-0, 165, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), linebackers Ezekiel Marcelin (Miami Central) and Elijah Melendez (Kissimmee Osceola), and Edge Herbert Scroggins (6-3, 235, Savannah Benedictine Military).
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