BIG GAME HUNTING…

July 6, 2026 - Miami currently has the No. 4 recruiting class for 2027, despite a projected smaller class size than in recent years. There has been much said and written about Miami’s closing strategy with five months until the early signing period in December.

What is Miami’s strategy? What do we definitively know?

• Miami’s head coach Mario Cristobal is one of thee best and most relentless college football recruiters. And his staff mirrors his intensity.

• Miami is well financed to compete in the NIL era.

• Miami now has an elite “proof of concept” to sell to prospects.

• We know of three potential “big game” targets.

What we don’t know are the tactical details behind Miami’s recruiting plan over the next five months. So, let’s identify the targets.

Mario Cristobal and his staff are famous for building from the inside out, the front lines. That’s where we will begin.

OT Mark Matthews*

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

HT: 6’-5.5" | WT:  300 |  Offers: 41 |  Rating: 99 |  Pos. Rank: 1 |  Overall Rank: 5

Status: COMMITTED   |  Top Tier: Texas A&M

OV:           UOV: 4/4/26, 9/25/25, 8/31/25, 3/18/25,

EVALUATION: 247Sports - Andrew ivins (1/3/26)

Athletic offensive tackle with the quickness and mobility to eventually man the hot corner at the game’s highest levels. Still far from a complete product after starting prep career off as a defensive lineman, but has put extremely encouraging stretches on tape while facing stiff competition. Fires out of his stance and initiates contact. Moves with excellent balance and posture. Extends the arc in pass sets with an elite kick slide. Will unlock the hips on angle/move blocks and get his head around. Darts into space when asked to climb and looks to finish. Must continue to improve technique and work on the hand placement, but is a natural knee-bender with rare big-man twitch that’s very young for the grade. Likely to face an initial adjustment period, but projects as a multi-year starter for a College Football Playoff contender with early-round of the NFL Draft upside.

SUMMARY: 

Elite OT in 2027 class. All indicators point to a strong and growing bond to the Aggies. This recruitment will be a very hard pull for Miami despite having a very strong “flip” record under Cristobal. Can he keep this elite young man home?

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EDGE DJ Jacobs* 


Hometown: Roswell, GA School: Blessed Trinity Catholic

HT: 6'-5" | WT: 235 | Offers: 38 | Rating: 99 | Position Rank: 1 | Overall Rank: 4

Status: Status: COMMITTED | Top Tier: Georgia commit

OV: UOV: 4/3-4

EVALUATION: 247Sports (Andrew Ivins) 12/27/2025

"Cast-iron edge defender with the size, speed and strength to wreak havoc on Saturdays and then Sundays. Constantly destroys blocks with violent hands and a powerful lower half. Can shoot right past protection with his quick-twitch athleticism and impressive snap anticipation. Balanced through contact and has an excellent understanding of how to create leverage with his feet. Fills holes on the inside with a flat back and will release for tackles near his gap. Closes in pursuit with elite burst and has the lateral movement skills to track running backs across the field. Needs to keep tinkering with pass-rush technique, but effort and energy is already there, which is extremely encouraging. Could fit into an odd or even front at the next level and should offer no shortage of alignment possibilities as he can attack from both a two and three-point stance. Might not have the longest of arms, but has plenty of room to add mass to a budding 6-foot-5 frame. Projects as a future difference-maker for a College Football Playoff contender that can set the edge and get after the quarterback."

SUMMARY:

Elite pass rushing prospect. Multi-sport athlete (football, basketball). Brings size potential, power and a ton of physicality. In 2025, 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. In 2024, 112 tackles (35 TFLs) and 12 sack. Projects as a multi-year high-major starter with NFL upside down the road.

Committed but still open. Miami keeps chipping away. Might be a bad “Day” for the Buckeyes.

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​TE Jaxon Dollar*

Hometown: Denver, NC School: East Lincoln

HT: 6’-3.5" | WT: 222 | Offers: 37 | Rating: 98 | Pos. Rank: 2 | Overall Rank: 29

Status: COMMITTED | Top Tier: Georgia commit

OV: UOV: 4/5/26, 9/20/25 (UF game), 9/25/25

EVALUATION: 247Sports - Andrew Ivins (2/16/26)

"Modern slot tight end that should command targets in any offense with his win rate. Turns jump balls into easy rebounds with his above-the-rim athleticism, but is far from a one-tricky pony as he can stress the seam with his speed and produce chunks of YAC with his agility. Not the tallest of targets, but owns a monster catch radius. Powers through contact and can easily release from a jam. Understands body positioning and how to snap open. Heats up after the catch and will run through arm tackles. Limited experience to date as an in-line blocker, but combative tendencies suggest that he will eventually never need to leave the field, especially as he adds weight. Projects as a matchup weapon for a College Football Playoff hopeful that’s likely going to find the most success in a motion-heavy system.

In 2025, caught 54 passes for 1,190 yards (22.0 YPC) and 20 TD in 12 games as a junior. Also totaled 38 tackles (13 TFL), 5 sacks, 4 PBU, 2 FF and 1 FR on defense.

SUMMARY:

Miami making a hard, late push for this elite talent. Will it be enough to capture this elite pass receiving threat?

BOTTOM LINE:

Mario & Co. are the best in the business. Hold your breath for some more “Mario Magic.”

GO CANES!