Latest news with #MarioCristobal
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Lands Major 2026 Commitment Over Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas
Miami Lands Major 2026 Commitment Over Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas originally appeared on Athlon Sports. 2026 four-star defensive tackle Anthony Kennedy Jr. has decided to commit to the University of Miami, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett. Kennedy chose the Hurricanes over Georgia, SMU, Missouri, and his home state school, Arkansas. Kennedy initially committed to Missouri in December 2024, but reopened his recruitment in May. He took an official visit to the Hurricanes on May 30th, citing this trip as a primary motivator for his commitment in an interview with Rivals' Marcus Benjamin. Advertisement "Ever since my OV, I feel like my relationship with the Miami staff has gotten stronger," he explained. Kennedy is the first defensive tackle to join the Hurricanes' star-studded 2026 class, which currently ranks sixth in the nation per 247Sports, but is expected to rise after they update the rankings to include Kennedy's commitment. Miami Hurricanes HC Mario Cristobal© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Kennedy stands 6-5 and weighs 330 pounds, with an impressive 35.5-inch wingspan to boot. Miami defensive line coaches Damione Lewis and Jason Taylor told Benjamin they 'believe in [Kennedy's] upside' after watching him practice in the spring. These endorsements are especially inspiring considering the dominance the pair displayed during their time as Hurricanes. Advertisement This commitment is a continuation of the recruiting tear Miami has been on recently, with three four-star commits in the past week alone. Their class now features a top-10 player in the country in five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, along with twelve other four-stars now that Kennedy has joined the group. While recruiting rankings aren't the ultimate measure of team success, they serve as a strong indicator that Miami's impressive 2024 campaign isn't a one-off season, but the beginning of their return to the top tier of college football. Related: Miami Facing Groundbreaking NIL Lawsuit Over Alleged Player Tampering This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Still in Play for No. 1 WR in 2026 Class Despite LSU Commitment
Miami Still in Play for No. 1 WR in 2026 Class Despite LSU Commitment originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Hurricanes are quietly gaining steam in their pursuit of the nation's top wide receiver in the 2026 class. Five-star standout Tristen Keys, currently committed to LSU, just wrapped up a pivotal official visit to Coral Gables, and the buzz coming out of that trip suggests Miami could be positioning itself for a flip. Advertisement Keys, a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the crown jewel of LSU's 2026 recruiting class and widely regarded as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation. He made headlines earlier this cycle with a surprise commitment to the Tigers. At the time, many believed programs like Miami held the edge in his recruitment, but LSU managed to secure a pledge earlier than most expected. Now, the Hurricanes are looking to turn the tide back in their favor. According to several insiders, Keys came away from his visit to Miami seriously impressed with the direction of the program under Mario Cristobal. Sources close to the situation indicate that the Hurricanes made a significant impression both on and off the field, highlighting their offensive vision, NIL opportunities, and player development track record at the wide receiver position. Miami's pitch seems to have resonated. This is the second visit to Miami by Keys in just a month. This latest visit has reopened the door to a recruitment that once looked locked down. Keys himself reportedly hinted that he still has a decision to make, a statement that should raise eyebrows in Baton Rouge. While LSU anticipated that Keys would explore his options with official visits, the level of uncertainty surrounding his commitment has increased following his time in South Florida. Advertisement As Miami continues to host top-tier talent and build momentum on the recruiting trail, the situation with Tristen Keys bears close watching. A flip from LSU would be a massive statement for the Hurricanes and a potential cornerstone for their 2026 class. With more official visits ahead, nothing is final, but Miami is making this recruitment far more interesting than LSU would like to see. Related: Miami Under Fire After Analyst Says Cam Ward Was 'Wasted' in 2024 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
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Hurricanes on Recruiting Hot-Streak as July Commitments Approach
Hurricanes on Recruiting Hot-Streak as July Commitments Approach originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Hurricanes have done it again. In a story by Justice Sandle of Miami flipped a former SEC recruit, changing his commitment from the Tennessee Volunteers to the Miami Hurricanes. Advertisement 3-star wide receiver Tyran Evans has decided that sunny Florida is a better place to play college football than Knoxville, TN. This latest recruiting win for Miami bolsters their already Top 10 recruiting class, currently No. 6 by 247Sports. Evans also took visits to North Carolina State and Kentucky, At 6-foot 3, 200 pounds, Evans presents the coveted mismatch that taller receivers present against smaller defenders, going up and high point the ball with ease in tight coverage. Last season at Hough High School in Cornelius, NC, Evans caught 36 passes for 980 yards and 14 touchdowns. Evans received 22 offers from such schools NC State, Kentucky, Florida, Florida State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Temple, Virginia Tech and the spurned Tennessee Volunteers, among others. Advertisement Evans believes that head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff will help him develop into a better football player. The Hurricanes 2026 class now has 18 commitments and is the top recruiting class in the Atlantic Coast Conference, according to 247Sports. Related: Miami Still in Play for No. 1 WR in 2026 Class Despite LSU Commitment This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida Loses Out on Four-Star Safety to In-State Rival
Florida Loses Out on Four-Star Safety to In-State Rival originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Florida head coach Billy Napier has been on his game in the recruiting prowl since the calendar turned to June, including an incredible last week that saw the Gators secure a number of blue-chip athletes. Advertisement However, UF got dealt some difficult news on Monday, as four-star 2027 safety Jaylyn Jones committed to the Miami Hurricanes over Florida, first reported by Hayes Fawcett of On3. With this announcement, Jones becomes the third commit of the class for Mario Cristobal's team. Jones' final three schools he was considering were Miami, Florida and Auburn, as he ultimately decided to stay in his home of south Florida with the Hurricanes. The Hollywood, Florida native and McArthur High School defensive back is the No. 9 player at his position, per 247Sports. He had a very productive sophomore season at Davie, Florida's Western High School, recording 82 tackles, 14 pass breakups, three interceptions and three sacks, according to On3. Advertisement Jones was in Gainesville this past weekend at the Gators' final recruiting event before the start of this year's summer dead period. Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier.© Melina Myers-Imagn Images Despite losing out on Jones, Napier and Florida have been very active in recruiting as of late and have a promising outlook on the future. UF got its first commitment of the 2027 recruiting class on Saturday with four-star athlete Tramond Collins. In the near future, Florida ranks No. 14 in On3's 2026 Industry Rankings and hopes to add to its 13 total commits in that recruiting class before the end of the summer. Jones will have the opportunity to watch the Hurricanes take on the Gators in Miami Gardens in week four this September, one year removed from UM's 41-17 rout of Florida in the opening game of the 2024 season. Advertisement Related: Florida Lands Recruit Who Can Play 4 Positions This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Hurricanes Potential Playoff Berth in 2025 Hinges on Just one Player
Miami Hurricanes Potential Playoff Berth in 2025 Hinges on Just one Player originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Hurricanes defense, specifically their pass defense, failed not only coach Mario Cristobal, but they also failed the fans by missing a chance to win the ACC title and earn a berth in the expanded college football playoff in 2024. Advertisement But Cristobal addressed that issue in this offseason by raiding the transfer portal for talented players that can defend against the pass. According to Carter Bahns of the one player that is the x-factor for the Hurricanes to make the playoffs this season is, surprisingly, transfer cornerback Xavier Lucas. Lucas recorded just one INT to go with 18 tackles and two pass breakups at Wisconsin a season ago. Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) celebrates with cornerback Max Lofy (12) following an Hanisch-USA TODAY Sport With that said, the x-factor is not Lucas at all. That moniker should fall squarely on the shoulders (and the surgically repaired throwing elbow) of former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. Advertisement Beck passed for over 3,400-yards a season ago. He also threw 12 interceptions, eight of which were thrown over three consecutive games. Beck transferred after suffering the season-ending elbow injury. Then, Miami swooped in with millions and lured Beck to Florida. After an offseason of injury rehab and way-too-many distractions, Beck must step up and show what he can do at the most important position on the field during fall camp and during the season. Anything less than a conference championship and a playoff berth in 2025 will be a bust for the Hurricanes. Related: For Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes, Trouble Could Be Ahead in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
