10 MOST Wanted…

Miami’s 2026 recruiting class currently stands at 23 verbal commitments, ranking #12 in the country and #1 in the ACC. With Miami’s success on the field this season, the Canes are positioned for a red hot finish on the recruiting trail this fall.

Miami would like to land additional 2026 prospects at wide receiver, defensive line, safety, running back, linebacker and tight end. There has been buzz that Miami’s class could reach 30 by the December signing period.

Who are the ten most wanted prospects remaining on Miami’s board at this time?

Most are committed to other schools at this time.

WR Calvin Russell*                         

Hometown:  Miami, FL                      School:  Northwestern
HT: 6'-5"    |   WT:  190     |   Offers:  52   |  Rating:  97   |   Pos. Rank:  5  |   Overall Rank:  51
Status: COMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Syracuse commit

Summary: Multi-sport athlete (basketball and track & field). "Gifted athlete with chance to be special on Saturdays and potentially even Sundays with his tools. Viewed as one of the top overall offensive talents."

DB Justice Fitzpatrick*                     

Hometown:  Fort Lauderdale, FL     School: St. Thomas Aquinas  

HT: 6'-0.5"    |   WT:  185     |   Offers: 43   |   Rating:  98   |   Pos. Rank:  4  ATH  |  Overall Rank:  43
Status: COMMITTED |  Top Tier:  UGA commit
OV: 6/6/25  | UOV: 9/9/23

Summary: Versatile, can play safety or corner | Multi-sport athlete (track); 11.00 (2.6) in the 100, 22.06 (1.2) in the 200 and 53.63 in the 400. |  2023: 13 tackles, 2 INT and 2 PBU  |  Long relationship with Cristobal

RB Derrek Cooper*                      

Hometown:  Hollywood, FL          School:  Chaminade-Madonna

HT: 6'-1"    |   WT:  205     |   Offers:  32  |  Rating:  97   |   Pos. Rank:  4 ATH  |  Overall Rank:  48

Status: COMMITTED.   |  Top Tier: Texas commit

Summary: Will attend ND-Miami game | commitment on July 20th  |  OV - May 30-June 1  Multple UOV to Miami  | Elite two-way player  | In 2024, 905 yards (9.3 YPC), 13 TDs, 9 pass recep for 156 yards and a TD.

EDG Anthony "Tank" Jones*                        

Hometown:  Mobile, AL     School: St. Paul's Episcopal     

HT: 6'-3.5" | WT: 240  |  Offers: 37 |  Rating: 98 |  Pos. Rank: 4 |  Overall Rank: 20

Status:  COMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Oregon commit

OV:  5/30/25         UOV: ---

Summary:  2024: 84 tackles, 18 TFL, and 16 sacks | 247Sports - "...elite get-off, can dip and bend and has great closing speed. Has the athleticism to chase down plays from behind and shows a crazy motor. Natural pass rusher at an early age and knows how to use his hands and can win with multiple counters... ceiling is extremely high and if he stays healthy and continues to develop at his current rate, there’s no reason why he won’t be playing on Sunday.

DT James Johnson*                      

Hometown: North Fort Myers, FL    School:  North Fort Myers 
HT: 6'-2.5"    |   WT:  285   |   Offers:  36  |   Rating:  97   |   Pos. Rank: 7  |  Overall Rank:  60
Status: COMMITTED   |   Top Tier:  Texas commit
UOV 3/22 |  OV 6/6-8
Summary: Quick, versatile lineman; can play multiple position  | 2023: 51 tackles (13 TFL), 13 QBH, 7 sacks and 3 FF  |  Long relationship with Miami DT coach Damione Lewis.   | Tough pull

DL Bryce Perry-Wright*              

Hometown:  Buford, GA             School:  Buford                  

HT: 6'-2" | WT: 250  |  Offers: 42 |  Rating: 97 |  Pos. Rank: 2 |  Overall Rank: 45

Status: COMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Texas A&M commit

OV:  6/6/25         UOV: 4/5/25

Summary:  Project at DT at next level |  Will need to put on mass to be ready for college level. |  In 2023, registered 51 tackles (9 TFL), 13 QBH and 7.5 sacks.

DE Nolan Wilson*                      

Hometown: Picayune, MS      School:  Picayune Memorial

HT: 6'-4" | WT: 240  |  Offers: 25 |  Rating: 97 |  Pos. Rank: 6 |  Overall Rank: 58

Status:  COMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Alabama

OV:  6/20/25         UOV:  4/3/25

Summary: "Long and nimble defensive end that flashes a high level of untapped athleticism off the edge as a pass rusher...Projects as an above average to good starter at the Power Four level that will more than likely need one to two years to develop both from a physical and technical standpoint before making a significant impact on Saturdays." - (247Sports)

WR Milan Parris*                                 

Hometown: Stow, OH        School: Walsh Jesuit                        

HT: 6'-5.5" |  WT: 205  |  Offers: 21  |  Rating: 92  |  Pos. Rank: 37  |  Overall Rank: 220

Status:  COMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Iowa State commit

OV:  ---         UOV: ---

Summary: Jumbo outside receiver with elite catch radius and 6'-9" wing span. Excellent body control and size/speed combination in 2026 class. 2024: Caught 28 passes (21.3 YPR) for 597 yards and 9 TD.

DE/RB Lekhy Thompkins*                  

Hometown:  Bradenton, FL             School: IMG Academy             

HT: 6'-1" | WT: 235  |  Offers: 13 |  Rating: 87 |  Pos. Rank: 54 ATH  |  Overall Rank:  720

Status:  COMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Louisville commit

OV:           UOV:

Summary: Originally from Jackson, Tenn.  | Miami recruiting as JUMBO DL  | Will attend ND-Miami game | 2024: 45 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4 QB hurries, 3 PBUs, and 2 sacks; rushed for 892 yards and 10 TD on 155 carries and caught 20 passes for 342 yards and 3 TD. |  Multi-sport athlete (football, track ,basketball)

LB Karsten Busch*                                

Hometown:  Louisville, KY                     School: St. Xavier 

HT: 6'-3" | WT: 223  |  Offers: 20  |  Rating: 88 |  Pos. Rank: 31 |  Overall Rank: 441

Status:  COMMITTED   |  Top Tier:  Louisville commit

OV:  ---         UOV:  ---

Summary: In 2024, 59 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and seven sacks.

BOTTOM LINE:

Miami’s continued success on the field this fall could result in as many as seven more prospects in Miami’s final 2026 recruiting class this December.

GO CANES!