Where UM stands in competition for numerous prospects planning to announce in next 2 weeks

Miami Herald

19 hours ago

The Miami Hurricanes already have a loaded 2026 recruiting class that is ranked sixth by 247 Sports and includes 18 players, a group led by offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, considered one of the nation's top five prospects.
But Miami isn't done. The Canes are awaiting clarity from well over a dozen players, including several who are planning announcements in the next two weeks.
An update on the players that the Canes have pursued, their announcement dates and where they stand:
▪ Planning to announce Thursday: Four-star safety Devin Jackson, who plays for The First Academy in Orlando. He says he will choose among Miami, Oregon, LSU, Florida and Nebraska. On3.com predicts he will pick Oregon.
He had 80 tackles and two interceptions last season; 247 rates him the No. 22 safety in the country.
▪ July 5: Buford, Georgia-based five-star defensive tackle Bryce-Perry Wright, who will announce a school at 5 p.m. This has turned into an interesting three way battle among Clemson (which has been pegged for weeks as the favorite) and UM and Texas A&M, who are pushing hard for the 6-2, 250-pound lineman.
247 Sports ranks him the 32nd best player overall in the 2026 class and the No. 2 defensive lineman.
▪ July 5: Miami Northwestern five-star receiver Calvin Russell plans an announcement at 5 p.m. Saturday, but the odds seems against UM. Russell said this week that UM is not in his top three.
He told 247 Sports that FSU, Michigan and Oregon are the schools 'I like the most.'
Is there a chance he could pick one of the other schools not in his top five (LSU or UM)? 'Somewhat but not really,' he told 247.
The 6-5 Russell is rated by 247 Sports as No. 3 receiver and No. 21 player overall. The loss of another local receiver, in the wake of former five-star Chaminade Madonna star Jeremiah Smith picking Ohio State two years ago, would sting for UM, which must hope that Russell is trying to fool everyone with his public comments.
▪ July 6: Two prospects - Texas-based four-star receiver Brayden Robinson and Sarasota Booker High five-star cornerback Chauncey Kennon - are due to make their announcements on Sunday.
UM reportedly is no longer in the mix for Kennon. 247 Sports - which ranks second among all cornerbacks and 27th overall - predicts he will pick FSU.
The 5-8 Robinson, ranked 41st among all receivers by 247, is widely expected to select Notre Dame.
▪ July 11: Devonte Anderson, a three-star cornerback who attends West Orange High in Winter Garden, visited UM last month and will pick among Miami, UCF, Auburn, Rutgers, Louisville and Maryland. 247 Sports rates him the 88th best cornerback.
▪ July 12: Duncanville, Texas-based three star tight end Zachary Taylor reportedly is leaning toward SMU over Miami; the Mustangs have gained momentum and Arkansas has also been pursuing him. The Canes landed their first tight end commitment for 2026 when skilled receiver Israel Briggs committed to Miami.
▪ July 12: Brunswick, Georgia-based tight end Heze Kent, a 6-6, 310 pounder who is rated by 247 Sports as the No. 167 player overall in the class.
Different web sites have each identified three different leaders for Kent in the past month: 247 predicts he will pick Miami, while other web sites have called him an FSU lean or a likely future Gator.
Kent also can play offensive tackle.
▪ July 13: Blake Stewart, the three-star Atlanta based safety, has been one of several UM priorities. 247 Sports predicts he will pick Clemson but the Canes have given him something to think about.
Cooper news
Derrek Cooper, the Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna High multi-position star who has been a high priority for UM, this week canceled his plans to announce his school on July 12.
247 Sports is predicting he still will pick the Hurricanes, who would play him at running back. Texas, Ohio State and Georgia remain in the mix.
Per MaxPreps, Cooper ran 124 times for 905 yards (9.3 per carry) and 13 TDs last season while also catching nine passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
247 Sports rates him the No. 3 athlete in the country, the No. 6 player in Florida and the 39th best prospect overall.
Updates on other '26 targets
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes - according to Canesport - have pulled even with Michigan for the services of four-star Jacksonville Mandarrin cornerback Brody Jennings, who remains a Michigan commitment.
Ranked by On3.com as the No. 18 cornerback and the No. 129 overall prospect, Jennings told Canesport this week that Miami and Michigan are 'the same' in his rankings after summer visits to both schools, with Florida and FSU also under consideration.
▪ UM also continues efforts to flip Mississippi-based Tristan Keys, an LSU commit and considered the top receiver in the 2026 class (and a top-five overall prospect). Texas A&M and Tennessee also are in the mix.
▪ UM remains eager to land four-star Mobile, Alabama-based edge player Anthony Jones (who is also considering Alabama and Texas A&M, among others) and Mississippi-based defensive tackle Nolan Wilson, with Alabama, Ole Miss, UF and Auburn among his other options.
Meanwhile, three-star interior guard Breck Kolojay, who plays for IMG Academy in Bradenton, is considering UM, Georgia and Southern California.