The Hurricanes have locked in their remaining wideout target with four-star Eli Woodard who made his long-awaited commitment this afternoon.
A former USC pledge who decommitted in May, Miami surged up his recruitment with both an unofficial visit to his high school in California as well as an official visit last month
The 6-foot, 190-pound wide receiver brings ability both inside and outside — having the speed to burn defenders deep as well as the agility to make cuts in the slot.
“They see me playing slot and outside, being very versatile in their offense,” Woodard said during his OV in May.
This past season Woodard racked up 51 catches for 1078 yards, totaling 17 touchdowns and 21.1 YPC.
Miami beat out in-state sides in Cal and UCLA who were seen as legitimate contenders in this recruitment, especially as Woodard’s Chaparral quarterback Dane Weber committed to the Golden Bears recently.
“What stood out to me was really the people and the culture around here, the players, everything — I loved everything about [Miami] ,” Woodard said.
The Temecula native becomes Miami’s second cross-country Cane this cycle, teaming up with good friend Donte Wright.
Woodard’s playmaking ability was on full display at Nike’s The Opening, where the Chaparral product was named one of the top performers of the event industry wide, with some having him as the MVP.
He shined against some of the country’s best defensive backs with deadly cuts, safe hands and instincts to understand soft spots in coverage.
The four-star wideout joins local five-star Nick Lennear as the Hurricanes haul at the position this cycle, driving Miami up to 20 commitments so far.
In many ways Woodard is considered the “finishing piece” when it comes to Miami’s 2027 class this summer — but it does not mean the class is wrapped up. The Canes will continue to monitor risers during their senior year and remain in the fight for flip targets such as five-star DJ Jacobs.