Miami Hurricanes host accomplished linebacker, await word from others. UM portal updates
Some Thursday updates on the Miami Hurricanes’ portal pursuits:
▪ The Hurricanes on Thursday were set to host Rutgers linebacker Mohamed Toure, who was excellent in 2023 but missed last season with a torn ACL.
Toure, who visited Penn State earlier this week, had 93 tackles (10 for loss) and five sacks in 2023, playing on a unit coached by new UM defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman.
In Rutgers’ bowl win against UM that year, he had eight tackles (two for loss) and a sack. But he tore his ACL in an August 2024 practice, his second torn ACL in three years.
At 6-2 and 236 pounds, he’s a natural weak-side linebacker and one of the most accomplished defenders remaining in the portal.
Toure has 23 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 37 games at Rutgers, having played in four seasons and missing two others with the ACL injuries. Indiana also has been linked to Toure.
UM added North Carolina State linebacker Kamal Bonner on Saturday, but Toure would be a front-runner to start (opposite Wesley Bissainthe) if he signs with Miami.
Adding Toure would give UM a very good linebacker room; Raul Aguirre, Jaylin Alderman, Chase Smith and Bobby Pruitt all had good moments during spring practice.
▪ The Hurricanes continue to await word from several defensive backs who visited in recent days.
Houston All-Big 12 safety AJ Haulcy, who spent time with rapper Rick Ross and was driven around Miami and South Beach on his visit this week, is reportedly considering UM and LSU.
Per On3.com’s Pete Nakos, “sources have said that Haulcy’s deal will likely be in the $700,000 to $800,000 range, but that his asking price is more.”
If Haulcy signs with UM, he would give the Canes an impact safety to pair with Jacksonville State transfer Zechariah Poyser.
Haulcy had 74 tackles, five interceptions and eight passes defended for the Cougars last season and was named first-team All-Big 12.
He spent two seasons at Houston after playing his freshman season at New Mexico, where he was named second-team All-Mountain West in 2022. The native of Missouri City, Texas, was a three-star recruit coming out of high school.
▪ Meanwhile, Colorado cornerback Colton Hood told recruiting websites that he enjoyed his midweek Miami visit but hasn’t made a decision. He had two interceptions and 24 tackles last season and quarterbacks mustered just a 49.0 passer rating in his coverage area, in part because he didn’t allow a TD. He played a limited role as a freshman for Auburn in 2023. He’s also visiting Tennessee.
▪ Former Tennessee safety Jakobe Thomas also visited UM on Thursday. Thomas, 6-2, had 22 tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss and two passes defended in 263 defensive snaps last season, allowing six completions in eight targets for 103 yards, a 116.7 passer rating against. Previously, he had 13 starts in three years at Middle Tennessee State. He had four interceptions in 2022, his only picks in four college seasons.
On3.com’s Nakos reports “the Hurricanes have the momentum and are trending to land” Thomas.
UM also hosted UCF cornerback Brent Austin earlier this week, but isn’t the favorite for him.
▪ The Canes remain very much in the mix for former Auburn corner Keionte Scott, who started four games last season. He transferred to Houston this offseason but entered the portal again in April.
UM has hosted two other safeties: UF’s Gregory Smith (who visited UM and North Carolina and now will visit Purdue) and Kansas State’s Noah King, who committed to Colorado on Wednesday.
▪ UM remains in search of a veteran defensive tackle. Miami pursued Braxton Feely (who opted to stay at Boise State) and Bernard Gooden, who picked LSU.
The Canes have added five players since spring practice ended: North Dakota State running back CharMar Brown, North Carolina State linebacker Kamal Bonner, Texas kicker Bert Auburn and wide receivers Keelan Marion (BYU) and Tony Johnson (Cincinnati).
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 12:01 PM.
