Time to Pivot…

This week was not a good week for Miami recruiting. The Canes lost major recruiting battles in the trenches on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

There’s no way to sugar coat it. The loss of OT Mark Matthews, DT David Folorunsho and DL Xavier Muhammad really hurt. Perhaps Mario Cristobal and his staff can shift to a long game strategy for the blue chip prospects but it will be a steep uphill climb.

Can Miami pivot to other options? Let's examine the options at this point.

Defensive Tackle:

Miami is excited about the commitments of Ezekiel Ayangbile and Josh Johnson as future interior defensive linemen. So, can the Canes pivot to remaining defensive line talent? Who?

Based on reports, here are a few names to know.

DL Yahzeen Zion (Goodyear, AZ - Desert Edge)

6’-4”/265 | Rated 87 | Ranked #83 DL | Overall: #737

Competition: Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Florida, LSU, Oregon

DL DeMarco Jenkins (Pearland, TX - Pearland)

6’-3”/265 | Rated 89 | Ranked #51 DL | Overall: #438

Competition: SMU, TCU

DT Jamar Thompson (Boca Raton, FL - West Boca Raton)

6’-3”/305 | Rated 93| Ranked #18 DL | Overall: #166

Competition: Auburn

Offensive Tackle:

Miami is thrilled with the talent in their offensive line room, including 2027 commit Tyler Ford. So, can the Canes pivot to remaining offensive tackle talent on the board? Who? Based on reports, here are a few names to know.

OT Joshua Sam-Epelle (Douglasville, GA - (Douglasville County)

6’-8.5”/310 | Rated 94 | Ranked #12 OT | Overall: #127

Competition: Georgia Tech, Georgia, South Carolina

OT Conner Rutherford (Chillicothe, OH - (Chillicothe)

6’-6”/300 | Rated 88 | Ranked #62 OT | Overall: na

Competition: Indiana, NC State, Minnesota

NOTE: Miami may also consider versatile IOL commit Sean Tatum as a swing man at OG and OT.

BOTTOM LINE:

It hurt, but Miami can still pivot in the tenches in 2027 recruiting. The next month will be critical.

GO CANES!