Miami Columbus two-way player A’Mir Sears throws up The U after committing to the University of Miami on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Dick’s House of Sport at Dadeland Mall in Miami, Florida.
Jordan McPherson
jmcpherson@miamiherald.com
After he put on his hat, after he announced his commitment to his hometown Miami Hurricanes, Miami Columbus two-way star A’Mir Sears sent a message.
“Mali and Nick, we’re on the way,” Sears said on Friday at his announcement ceremony at Dick’s House of Sport at Miami’s Dadeland Mall, just miles down the road from the University of Miami’s campus. “Let’s do it.”
“Mali” is Malachi Toney, the Hurricanes’ superstar receiver who is entering his sophomore season at Miami and was a prep star at Plantation American Heritage.
“Nick” is Nick Lennear, a fellow five-star prospect in Miami’s Class of 2027 who is entering his senior season at Miami Carol City.
As for what exactly they plan to do? That’s two-fold.
First and foremost, it’s win championships with the Hurricanes, something Toney will attempt to do this year before Sears, Lennear and a 2027 recruiting class currently ranked No. 2 nationally joins him in Coral Gables next season.
Secondly, it’s continue to ensure that South Florida’s top high school prospects stay home for their college careers.
As the Hurricanes continue their ascent back into national relevance under coach Mario Cristobal, top players from Miami-Dade and Broward counties are showing a desire to be part of the next generation of Hurricanes.
“We’re really trying to tell everybody that home is where it’s at,” Sears said. “For you to be able to [win] at the crib is big. Putting on for your city and your state, it’s a huge blessing to do that.”
Sears and Lennear headline a group of six players from Dade and Broward who are committed to Miami’s 2027 class. Sears is the No. 11 overall prospect in the class, according to the 247Sports composite ranking. Lennear is the No. 12 prospect. Should both stick to their commitments, it’ll be the first time Miami has a pair of five-star signees from South Florida since 2021 when Miami signed Palmetto defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III and American Heritage safety James Williams.
Jaylyn Jones, McArthur Courtesy of Jaylyn Jones’ X page
That class also includes three four-star prospects in North Miami Beach safety Andre Hyppolite, Hollywood McArthur safety Jaylyn Jones and Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons tight end/edge rusher DeMarcus DeRoche as well as three-star McArthur cornerback Sherrod Gourdine. Additionally, UM has pledges from Lantana Santaluces three-star edge rusher Jayvon Dawson and Key West three-star defensive lineman Josh Johnson.
“The best in South Florida stay home,” Jones said. “That’s what A1 [Sears] really showed. If the best in South Florida really want to stay home, they can.”
Cardinal Gibbons two-way player DeMarcus DeRoche photographed at XPE Sports Performance, for the 2026 High School Football Season Preview, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, August 1, 2026. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Jones and DeRoche also credited the turnaround coach Mario Cristobal has accomplished in making the decision to choose Miami easier. The Hurricanes have won 10 games in back-to-back seasons and reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last season. They are expected to be national title contenders again this season.
This wave of South Florida players hopes to keep that momentum going.
“We had been down a little bit,” Jones said of the Hurricanes, who went six consecutive years with no more than seven wins before this going 23-6 over the past two years. “But us coming back last year and making the playoff appearance and playing in the natty at our home field showed that the program is going in the right direction.”
Added DeRoche: “Miami has always been the program. Players have to want to come to Miami. … Miami has always been here. It’s the place for South Florida players.”
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Miami Herald
Jordan McPherson covers the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and covered the Gators athletic program for five years before joining the Herald staff in December 2017.