Canes pick up pledge from coveted four-star cornerback who had been a Gators commitment
The Hurricanes landed a non-binding commitment from one of the nation’s top 2026 cornerback prospects on Friday when Seffner Armwood’s Jaelan Waters announced he will enroll at UM.
On3.com ranks him the No. 15 cornerback and No. 126 prospect in the 2026 class. 247 Sports ranks Waters the No. 15 cornerback and No. 150 player overall in the 2026 class.
Waters, 6-2, originally committed to FSU last April, then committed to UF last June after being recruited by then-Gators assistant Will Harris. But Waters decommitted on Feb. 15, after Harris joined UM’s staff as safeties coach, and Waters will now follow him to Miami.
Waters last season had 20 tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended. He had six pass breakups and a forced fumble as a 10th grader.
He also runs track and posted a 24.29 in the 200-meter dash in 2023.
Coach Mario Cristobal and new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman visited Waters on campus in recent weeks.
Notre Dame, Texas, Oregon, Georgia, Alabama were among his numerous other suitors.
Waters becomes the Canes’ third significant Seffner Armwood commitment in the past year, joining two UM freshmen early enrollees: linebacker Kellen Wiley and running back Girard Pringle.
Waters becomes UM’s fifth 2026 commitment, joining Lakeland-based quarterback Dereon Coleman, four-star Ohio based offensive tackle Ben Congdon, Miami Carol City High linebacker Jordan Campbell and Charlotte-based cornerback Camdin Portis.
The Canes’ class is now ranked 19th by 247 Sports.
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM.
