Things are trending in the right direction for the Miami Hurricanes, both on and off the field.
The team is fresh off a 10-3 win over No. 7 Texas A&M in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. As the Canes prepare to face No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31, they were part of a positive development on the recruiting trail as well.
According to On3 recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong, Miami is one of the frontrunners to land one five-star 2027 recruit, and its likely to secure a commitment from another.
“After writing all fall I like Miami’s position for the nation’s No. 1 offensive tackle prospect Mark Matthews, I’ve gone ahead and logged the prediction going into the New Year,” Wiltfong wrote.
“… Cristobal and his staff have gotten Matthews over to campus and games several times. He’s exactly what they’re looking for from a tangibles and intangibles standpoint, and having him in the backyard, it’s hard to imagine this Hurricanes staff losing this recruitment.”
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Matthews is the No. 1-ranked offensive tackle and the No. 2 overall recruit in the class of 2027, according to On3’s industry rankings.
Wiltfong also believes Miami has a solid chance of securing a commitment from five-star defensive end David Jacobs as well. Jacobs is the No. 2-ranked edge-rusher and the No. 10 overall recruit in the class of 2027.
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“A legacy recruit to the Bulldogs, Georgia has always been considered one of the front-runners,” Wiltfong added. “We’ve written a lot about that. But the family also has a close connection with Mark Richt and have spent a lot of time around Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes and Coral Gables.
“I wouldn’t sleep on The U down the stretch for Jacobs as we weighs his options with all of these programs. The family was tuned in to the playoff win at Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon.”
Miami has the No. 8-ranked recruiting class in the country in 2026, and it’s sitting in the same spot for 2027 so far. The Hurricanes have three four-star commits — athlete Demarcus Deroche, wide receiver Ah’Mari Stevens, and safety Jaylyn Jones — plus one three-star — offensive tackle Zaquon Linton.
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