Life is good!
Miami is undefeated (7-0) going into the BIG game against arch-rival FSU this weekend. Almost 100 recruiting prospect will be at the “ROCK” on Saturday. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked #12 in the nation and poised for another Top 10 finish.
Among the visitors this weekend, there will be eight key 2025 recruiting targets in the stands. Where do the Canes stand with these talented high school seniors?
Let’s go whale hunting!
DB DJ Pickett* COMMITTED - LSU
Hometown: Tampa, FL School: Zephyrhills
Rating: 99 | Position Rank: 2 S | Overall Rank: 8
HT: 6'-4" | WT: 178 | Offers: 41
Top Tier: LSU commit
Scouting Notes: Versatile athlete at WR and DB. Multi-sport athlete (track, baseball and basketball) | 10.62 in the 100, 21.66 in the 200, 50.35 in the 400 |. Caught 52 passes for 1,033 yards and 15 TD on offense while totaling 31 tackles and an INT on defense. Power Four all-conference upside and NFL potential. Multiple family ties to Miami.
Assessment: DJ has multiple ties to Miami’s program but he decided to verbally commit to LSU this past summer. However, Miami has played the long game here and has DJ at the top of their big board. Cristobal and company is relentless and has kept chopping wood. Will it be enough to “flip” this talented 5-star defensive back?
PROBABILITY: Our guess is GOOD but not excellent.
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LB Kellen Wiley UNCOMMITTED
Hometown: Seffner, FL School: Armwood
Rating: 89 | Position Rank: 42 | Overall Rank: 375
HT: 6'-4" | WT: 225 | Offers: 14
Top Tier: Miami
Scouting Notes: Fast ,big and athletic. | Versatile, could wind up at Edge. In 2023: 82 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 INT. | UOV - 9/7/24
Assessment: Kellen has been a fast riser since spring. Miami really likes him and has been aggressive in their recruiting this summer. So far his season, he has totaled 37 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, and blocked a punt. Is he a “take” for the Canes? We believe he is. Louisville, Alabama, and USC are a few others competing for his signature.
PROBABILITY: Our guess is EXCELLENT.
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Edge Hayden Lowe* COMMITTED - USC
Hometown: Westlake Village, CA School: Oaks Christian
Rating: 92 | Position Rank: 17 | Overall Rank: 197
HT: 6'-4" | WT: 242 | Offers: 29
Top Tier: USC commit
Scouting Notes: One of the top edge rushers in the ’25 class. Long arms, athletic and versatile. Explosive first step with a dip to turn the corner. Naturally strong prospect. Frame for growth potential. | UOVs: 1/27/24
Assessment: Hayden is an USC commit that Miami really has coveted for a long time. Again, the Canes have played the long game. Hayden will be in he stands for the Miami-FSU game. USC is giving him reasons to reconsider. He IS traveling across the country, a good sign he is serious about Miami. Enough to flip? We’ll see.
PROBABILITY: Our guess is FAIR to GOOD.
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CB Ben Hanks Jr.* COMMITTED - Florida
Hometown: Miami, FL School: Booker T. Washington
Rating: 95 | Position Rank: 11 | Overall Rank: 93
HT: 6'-1" | WT: 170 | Offers: 24
Top Tier: UF commit
Scouting Notes: Cover corner; good wing span; a potential multi-year starter. Multi-sport athlete track and baseball | All-Dade 2M-1M selection | Florida legacy | In 2023: 6 INTs (3 TDs), 38 tackles
Assessment: One of the best corners in Florida. The Canes have been recruiting him for a long time, despite his commitment to the Gators (he’s a legacy.) But again, Miami is relentless. He will be in the stands this weekend. Florida is giving him reasons to reconsider. Enough to flip?
PROBABILITY: Our guess is FAIR to POOR.
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LB Tarvos Alford* COMMITTED - OSU
Hometown: Vero Beach, FL School: Vero Beach
Rating: 95 | Position Rank: 9 | Overall Rank: 100
HT: 6'-2" | WT: 210 | Offers: 34
Top Tier: Ohio State commit
Scouting Notes: Tackling machine; projects as a potential multi-year starter and possible impact player at the Power Four level. Gap-closing speed and overall physicality could lead to plenty of success on Saturdays after a developmental year or two. In 2023, totaled 114 tackles (12 TFL), 6 PBU, 4 sacks, 3 QBH and one INT.
Assessment: Miami has coveted his athleticism, speed and physicality. He is a Buckeye commit however. That hasn’t stopped Miami. It will be a tough “flip” for the Canes. Can Mario again steal a bluechip late from Ohio State?
PROBABILITY: Our guess is POOR.
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CB Shamar Arnoux* COMMITTED - USC
Hometown: Carrollton, GA School: Carrollton
Rating: 89 | Position Rank: 35 | Overall Rank: 374
HT: 6'-2" | WT: 175 | Offers: 34
Top Tier: USC commit
Scouting Notes: Long (6’/2”) and athletic corner to match up with bigger wide receivers. Originally a south Florida native | Multi-sport athlete (track).
Assessment: Shamar is originally a south Florida native, still with family in the area. He lives now outside of Atlanta. Both of those factors question why he would go to college all the way across the country. Shamar has expressed strong interest in Miami and will be in the stands this weekend.
PROBABILITY: Our guess is EXCELLENT.
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DT Jarquez Carter * COMMITTED - Ohio State
Hometown: Newberry, FL School: Newberry
Rating: 90 | Position Rank: 28 | Overall Rank: 285
HT: 6'-2" | WT: 285 | Offers: 37
Top Tier: Ohio State commit
Scouting Notes: Young for grade. Quick first step with impressive power at point of attack. Projects as 3-technique in a 4-3 front in a Power Four rotation after development period. In 2023- 67 tackles (37 TFL), 15 QBH and 9 sacks.
Assessment: Miami has coveted Jarquez for a long time despite his commitment to the Buckeyes. He’s a local bluechip talent and Mario wants to keep the best Florida talent at home. Will Jarquez be the latest late cycle flip from Ohio State?
PROBABILITY: Our guess is POOR.
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ATH Bradley Gompers* COMMITTED - Duke
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA School: Central Catholic
Rating: 89 | Position Rank: 22 ATH | Overall Rank: 391
HT: 6'-5" | WT: 215 | Offers: 23
Top Tier: Duke commitment
Scouting Notes: Brad is Duke commitment but has recently left the door open. He’s long, versatile and plays with bad intentions. A talented multi-sport athlete who also plays both ways. Can play LB, TE, or Edge at next level. He has the frame to grow.
Assessment: Brad a very late riser on Miami’s board. Why? Size, versatility and a bad attitude. He plans to be in the stands this Saturday. Penn State and Michigan are also hot on Brad’s trail.
PROBABILITY: Our guess is FAIR.
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BOTTOM LINE:
Miami is in a very good position to add quality bluechip talent this weekend. We know how Mario loves stacking elite talent.
GO CANES!
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