Podcast: Most important recruit? Most underrated? Superlatives for Miami’s 2023 class
Wednesday was Mario Cristobal’s best day yet as coach of the Miami Hurricanes.
Above all else, the coach was hired to recruit and he certainly did in the Class of 2023.
Miami finished the first day of the early signing period with a top-five recruiting class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and it will almost certainly wind up being the Hurricanes’ best class since at least 2008.
It didn’t happen without some drama, though.
On a new episode of the Eye on the U podcast, David Wilson and Susan Miller Degnan, the Miami Herald’s Hurricanes beat writer, analyze the 2023 recruiting class, examine some of the trends and throughlines Cristobal prioritized, and, of course, break down the Cormani McClain situation as the five-star cornerback remained unsigned -- albeit still orally committed -- through Thursday.
Although the early signing period ends Friday, a loophole could let the elite defensive back wait until next month to actually make a final decision by simply enrolling at the school of his choice, whether it’s Miami or elsewhere.
Even without McClain, this would be a spectacular haul for the Hurricanes, with 25 players signed Wednesday, including five top-100 prospects and 17 blue-chip recruits. Wilson and Degnan wrap up by handing out some superlatives to these 25, including five-star tackle Francis Mauigoa as the most important addition, four-star defensive lineman Collins Acheampong as the player with the highest ceiling and three-star defensive lineman Joshua Horton as the most underrated signing.
There are also four transfers to discuss, as Cristobal tried to fill some needs through the transfer portal and might have found three potential starters, including offensive lineman Javion Cohen and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa.
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This story was originally published December 23, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
