Mario Cristobal sizes up Hurricanes’ 14 new additions on offense
UM worked to solidify its future on Wednesday with a 30-player signing class that was ranked in the top 10 by all major recruiting services.
Here’s how Mario Cristobal sized up the team’s offensive additions:
Quarterback
▪ Dereon Coleman, Orlando Jones: ESPN rates him the nation’s 160th best prospect and the No. 12 quarterback in this class.
“We had in camp, in seven on sevens,” Cristobal said. “He reminded us a lot of Cam Ward because of the different arm angles he can get the ball out in. He always wins.
You never find him getting trapped or sacked...He can improvise; he can extend. The off script stuff is excellent. He has all the intangibles of what you want for a quarterback.”
Coleman threw 69 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in 42 high school games.
This past season, he threw 25 touchdowns and one interception and ran for 503 yards in guiding Jones High to an 11-2 record and a Florida 4A state semifinal berth.
Running back
▪ Javian Mallory, Boca Raton West Boca High: Rated 279th in ESPN’s top 300 and the No. 12 running back. Mallory averaged an absurd 9.5 yards per rush this season and scored 18 touchdowns (14 on the ground).
“A guy we expect to come in and compete right away for playing time,” Cristobal said. “Speed and power. My nephew coaches at one of the local high schools and I had a chance to watch him live. He’s special. He’s got that extra gear. Great out of the backfield in the screen game. Advanced in protection detail as well.”
Wide receiver
▪ Tyran Evans, Cornelius (North Carolina) Hough: The former Tennessee commitment is “another big, strong, physical athlete,” Cristobal said. “As you look at our roster, that’s the biggest change the last four years – length, size, speed, bodies that are a little more mature, developed that give you a chance to be a more physical team.”
▪ Milan Parris, Stow (Ohio) Walsh Jesuit: Parris, who is rated the No. 47 overall prospect by 247 but 235th by ESPN, was previously committed to Iowa State. Among receivers now on the roster, he’s UM tallest at 6-6.
“He’s a guy we saw early,” Cristobal said. “Exactly what you want in an outside receiver. He’s so athletic they put him on kickoffs and he housed one 95 yards. Fast, explosive, makes the contested catch. Two sport athlete. [Averaged] 15 points a game in basketball.”
▪ Vince Spafford, Mission Viejo (California): ESPN rated him Miami’s second-best prospect (130th overall), behind only offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, whom ESPN tabbed as the nation’s No. 3 prospect.
He had 140 receptions for 2647 yards and 36 touchdowns as a sophomore and junior but battled an injury last season.
It was a “minor injury that he’s completely healthy from now,” Cristobal said. “He was the top ranked slot receiver in the country. One of the fastest receivers in the country. He came to Miami and fell in love with it and fit perfectly.”
▪ Somourian Wingo, St. Augustine: Like with Parris, there’s a big gap in evaluation. 247 Sports calls him the 50th best player in the country; ESPN rates him the No. 159th best. Either way, he’s a top prospect.
He had 46 catches for 827 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
“He was probably the biggest riser in the entire country, worked himself into a top 25 player,” Cristobal said. “We recruited him when he was not even a 4-star guy. It was easy to see. He had all the tools and all the intangibles. He wanted to be a Miami Hurricane. He took it to another level this season. He’ll probably end up a being a five-star guy.”
Tight end
▪ Israel Briggs, Clovis (California): ESPN’s No. 253 overall prospect had seven touchdowns and 535 receiving yards as a senior this year. 247 Sports ranks him as the No. 15 tight end in the class.
These tight ends “can stretch the field,” Cristobal said. ”They’re big bodies. They’re twitching, explosive guys, fearless.”
▪ Gavin Mueller, South Elgin (Illinois): A multi-purpose weapon, he had 30 touchdowns as a quarterback, running back and tight end. 247 Sports ranks him the No. 7 tight end and the No. 114 prospect overall.
Offensive line
▪ Jackson Cantwell, Nixa, Missouri: He was the No. 4 overall player in the Class of 2026 according to the 247Sports composite rankings. The 6-7, 328-pounder won Gatorade Player of the Year honors in both football and track.
“He had 400 pancakes in his high school career,” Cristobal said. “Beyond his years in terms of football IQ and regular IQ. When you look at big guys, you look at balance and body control. He has it and then some.
“His wing span is in the range of 83, 84 inches, which is elite. His numbers now are that of an NFL Combine offensive linemen at a young age. He’s playing for a state title, eager to get right to it” at Miami.
▪ Ben Congdon, Mineral City (Ohio) Tuscarawaas Valley: The 6-7, 285-pounder is a natural tackle. 247 ranks him the No. 18 offensive tackle and the 161st best prospect overall.
▪ Joel Ervin, Fort Myers: At 6-6, 305 pounds, he could compete for an interior line job right away. 247 Sports rates him the No. 11 interior lineman and No. 211 prospect overall.
▪ Canon Pickett, Tampa Bay Tech: He’s the younger brother of UM edge rusher Booker Pickett. 247 ranks him No. 66 among Class of 2026 interior line prospects.
▪ JJ Sparks, Jacksonville The Bolles School: At 6-4 and 300-pounds, Sparks will compete for a spot in the interior of the offensive line. 247 Sports ranks him as the 96th interior lineman.
▪ Rhys Woodrow, Orlando Boone: He’s a 6-3, 310-pound interior lineman. He’s 247 Sports’ No. 85 interior lineman in the class.
“This is as excited as I’ve ever been about a group of offensive linemen,” Cristobal said. “More talented or as talented as any class we’ve had. They’re all legitimate workers, grinders.”
Here’s how Cristobal assessed UM’s 16 additions on defense.
This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM.
