Miami adds another big piece as the Hurricanes chase top-5 recruiting class

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Miami‘s appearance in the College Football Playoff national championship in January has generated a massive amount of momentum on the recruiting trail for the Hurricanes.

They finished last cycle with the No. 8 class in the country, their third in four years under Mario Cristobal. That kind of talent acquisition — including finding under-the-radar gems — has paid huge dividends in recent years. Miami’s talent now stacks up with some of college football’s premier programs, particularly when you factor in what they’ve done in the transfer portal.

On top of their elite recruiting class, the ‘Canes transfer haul included five four-star additions. None were bigger than Duke quarterback Darian Mensah and former Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II, both ranked among the top 10 players available in the portal. They’re expected to lead another deep roster next year, but Cristobal and Co. have pivoted from relying quite as heavily on the portal to now prioritizing quality high school classes.

Their start to 2027 is no different.

Miami’s class ranks No. 8 in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings with eight commitments now in the fold. The latest, from Illinois-based quarterback Israel Abrams, is a massive one. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder chose the ‘Canes on Friday over Auburn, Purdue and a host of others. Rivals ranks him as a top-50 prospect nationally and the nation’s No. 3 quarterback.

He helps headline a class where five of the eight commits are ranked as blue-chip prospects, and a sixth— offensive tackle Zaquan Linton — very much fits the bill of a developmental tackle that Cristobal has had success with in the past. After landing elite wideout Nick Lennear, who pushed them into the top 10 ahead of Nebraska, Texas, Alabama, Oregon and more, Cristobal and Co. continue to build what should be another ballyhooed class.

Hurricanes recruiting class breakdown by position

Quarterback
Four-star Israel Abrams, No. 45 NATL. (No. 3 QB)

Wide receiver
Four-star Nick Lennear, No. 26 NATL. (No. 6 WR)
Four-star Ah’Mari Stevens, No. 229 NATL. (No. 30 WR)

Tight end
Four-star Demarcus Deroche, No. 243 NATL. (No. 15 TE)

Offensive tackle
Three-star Zaquan Linton, No. 895 NATL. (No. 65 OT)

Defensive line
Three-star Josh Johnson, No. 871 NATL. (No. 89 DL)

Cornerback
Three-star Sherrod Gourdine, No. 557 NATL. (No. 62 CB)

Safety
Four-star Jaylyn Jones, No. 232 NATL. (No. 23 SAF)

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos