The Miami Hurricanes wrapped up their second top-10 recruiting class in the last three years, signing all of the prospects who had previously committed on the first day of the annual Early Signing Period.
Led by five-star offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell, the Hurricanes’ class was No. 1 in the ACC and No. 10 overall, according to 247Sports’ rankings. Miami was four spots ahead of its nearest ACC rival, Florida State.
Blue-chip prospects made up the majority of Miami’s class. Nineteen of the 29 prospects in the class were rated a four-star prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings, and Cantwell was the sole five-star prospect in the class.
Miami was reportedly making a late push for two more prospects to join the class: four-star linebacker Karsten Busch, who was previously committed to Louisville, and four-star running back Amari Latimer, who is committed to Wisconsin.
Five early-impact freshmen
Jackson Cantwell, offensive line, Nixa (Missouri)
The massive 6-foot-7, 325-pound Cantwell is the anchor of Miami’s class, and he could be the anchor of the Hurricanes’ offensive line immediately. Like Francis Mauigoa before him, Cantwell has the chance to be a plug-and-play tackle from Day 1. At least one tackle spot will open this coming season, with Mauigoa headed to the NFL, and Markel Bell could also vacate the left-tackle spot.
Javian Mallory, running back, West Boca Raton
The Hurricanes have not been afraid to throw freshman running backs into the mix quickly. Mark Fletcher Jr., Jordan Lyle and Girard Pringle Jr. have all received significant snaps in their first year on campus. Mallory is in a similar mold as Fletcher, though he is a little smaller; the West Boca star brings a blend of speed and power that the Hurricanes like.
“I’m really excited,” Mallory said Wednesday. “I go down there in January, and I fit right into the running back room. They like big, physical downhill backs who’ve also got speed with them.”
Milan Parris, wide receiver, Walsh Jesuit (Stow, Ohio)
Parris brings a unique frame to Miami’s receiver room. At nearly 6-6, he towers over every other receiver on the roster (the next tallest on the team is 6-foot-4 Josh Moore). Parris is not just big; he has speed, as well — he has been clocked with a 4.54 40-yard dash time, according to 247Sports.
Joel Ervin, offensive line, Fort Myers
Like Cantwell, Ervin could get an early opportunity because so many UM offensive linemen will likely be departing after this season. In addition to Mauigoa and Bell, center James Brockermeyer and right guard Anez Cooper will also be NFL-bound. Ervin was one of the highest risers in the class after his senior year; he is now a four-star prospect and a top-300 player. With an impressive preseason, Ervin could battle for an interior lineman spot.
Asharri Charles, defensive end, Venice
The Hurricanes’ defensive line will also have a lot of attrition this offseason. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are both going to turn pro this year and could be the first two edge rushers in the draft. Miami does have depth at the position, with defensive linemen Armondo Blount, Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett Jr. and Malik Bryant among the edge rushers who are returning. But UM has not been afraid to mix in freshman linemen — Hayden Lowe was poised to play this year before an injury ended this season. Charles could make a similar impact.
The rest
DL Tyson Bacon, Hoover (Alabama)
TE Israel Briggs, Clovis (California)
DL/LB Jordan Campbell, Miami Northwestern
DL Isaac Chukwurah, Caravel Academy (Bear, Delaware)
QB Dereon Coleman, Jones (Orlando)
OL Ben Congdon, Tuscarawas Valley (Mineral City, Ohio)
DB JJ Dunnigan, Manhattan (Kansas)
LB Justin Edwards, Edgewater (Orlando)
WR Tyran Evans, Hough (Cornelius, North Carolina)
DB Brody Jennings, Mandarin (Jacksonville)
DL DeAnthony Lafayette, Lake Nona (Orlando)
TE Gavin Mueller, South Elgin (Illinois)
DL Logan Nagle, DePaul Catholic (Wayne, New Jersey)
OL Canon Pickett, Tampa Bay Tech
DB Camdin Portis, Myers Park (Charlotte, North Carolina)
DB Cortez Redding, Jonesboro (Georgia)
DL Frederic Sainteus, St. John Neumann (Naples)
WR Vance Spafford, Mission Viejo (California)
OL JJ Sparks, Bolles (Jacksonville)
DL Keshawn Stancil, Clayton (North Carolina)
DB Jaelan Waters, Armwood (Seffner)
WR Somourian Wingo, St. Augustine
OL Rhys Woodrow, Boone (Orlando)
DB Jontavius Wyman, Jonesboro (Georgia)
