Cristobal’s hiring increases UM’s chance to lure several top recruits. What they’re saying
Mario Cristobal’s hiring helped Miami land its only three top 100 players in 247 Sports’ Class of 2022 recruiting rankings: defensive ends Cyrus Moss (63) and Nyjalik Kelly (84) and tight end Jaleel Skinner (98).
And multiple high school underclassmen told The Miami Herald this past weekend that Cristobal’s move from Oregon to UM makes them more likely to give serious consideration to the Canes.
Four-star Hollywood Chaminade Madonna receiver Jeremiah Smith, a Class of 2024 prospect, said Cristobal’s hiring by UM “for sure” increases the Canes’ chances of luring him.
Why?
“I hear he stays in touch with the players, each and every day, even with a text every day to the parents and recruits. That’s all I need, interest like that,” said Smith, who’s also considering Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma, among others.
Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas four-star receiver Chance Robinson, another Class of 2024 player, said: “I’ve always loved Miami as a kid. [But Cristobal’s hiring] makes [UM] more of a consideration, knowing he’s as good a coach as he is. I haven’t met him yet but I heard about [UM’s] junior elite day [Jan. 22] and I’m going to attend that.”
Pittsburgh and Georgia are among other schools of interest to him.
Robby Washington, a four-star Class of 2023 athlete from Miami Killian, said “I really liked Oregon and the fact that he’s bringing a whole bunch of Oregon coaches down it’s like, ‘Dang, they’re all at Miami now, so that changes a better point of view of it.’”
Washington said his father - Bobby, who was a star running back at Killian - “told me he’s a good coach, but he’s not going to let up off of you. If he knows you can [have] good potential, he’s going to try to push you until you reach that potential.”
Cristobal’s hiring also could put UM in play for Miami Edison’s Nathaniel Joseph, a four-star Class of 2023 receiver who’s a Clemson non-binding commitment.
“I love the steps that they made,” Joseph said. “It’s the right step in the right direction. I didn’t talk to the wide receivers coach on the previous staff. I really had no type of relationship or communication, so just by me getting on the phone [on Jan. 7] with the receivers coach [Bryan McClendon] made a big difference. I grew up a UM fan and I’m a big UM fan. I’m glad they made the right step.”
“[McClendon] was saying he wants to keep me home, put on for your hometown. He was saying all the right stuff.”
Four-star St. Thomas Aquinas Class of 2024 quarterback Tyler Aronson also is intrigued with Miami amid Cristobal’s hiring.
“It’s pretty cool,” Aronson said. “He’s a big-time head coach. He did really good at Oregon this past year. They beat Ohio State. It’s intriguing to see. I feel like he’s already doing a pretty good job. I feel like he’s a really good recruiter and all that stuff. I know they don’t have an offensive coordinator yet, but I think they’re going to hire one soon. I’m really excited to see what they can do this upcoming season.”
One key, naturally, will be Cristobal’s ability to lure the type of five-star athletes that often have instead chosen Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma. (Leonard Taylor and James Williams were the two notable exceptions in the Manny Diaz era.)
One priority target - five-star Lakeland-based Class of 2023 cornerback Cormani McClain - said “Miami is up there” among schools that interest him:
“Miami stands out. Great coaching staff. Have a great communication with the coaching staff. [Cristobal and I] talked here and there. We’re going to have a couple more conversations. I would like to meet him for sure.”
McClain - who also is considering Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan and BYU - will visit UM on Jan. 22 and said he has a “great relationship with [cornerbacks coach DeMarcus] Van Dyke. He’s like a best friend, not like a regular coaching staff.”
McClain said Van Dyke indicated to him that he will be retained.
The aforementioned players made their comments during tryouts at Ives Estates Park for the South Florida Express, the Brett Goetz-founded 7 on 7 team.
NOTABLE
Kevin Smith will be the Hurricanes’ new running backs coach, per multiple sources.
He was Mississippi’s running backs coach last season and the team was 12th in the country in rushing yards per game. The former Miami Southridge High standpoint had a five-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions.
▪ Per Canesport’s Matt Shodell, three former Oregon commits and Class of 2022 prospects will visit UM this weekend: Washington-based guard Dave Iuli, San Diego-based defensive lineman Gracen Halton and San Diego-based cornerback Jahlil Florence. All are four-star prospects and all would be big gets for this UM recruiting class.
And per 247Sports’ Gaby Urrutia, two starters in the transfer portal visited UM on Tuesday: UAB defensive lineman Antonio Moultre (62 tackles, two sacks last season) and Oregon cornerback DJ James, who had two interceptions last season.
▪ The sports information director at Bethune Cookman told our friends at @FBSschedules.com that Bethune will be UM’s first opponent in the Mario Cristobal era, on Sept. 3 at Hard Rock Stadium.
But a UM spokesman said the Canes’ football opener hasn’t been determined.
This story was originally published January 11, 2022 at 3:31 PM.
