Feedback, what to know on Hurricanes’ 2027 defensive commitments
The Miami Hurricanes’ 2027 recruiting class received a major jolt over the weekend with the addition of two blue-chip defenders — California-based cornerback Donte Wright (who flipped from Georgia) and Texas-based defensive lineman Ezekiel Ayangbile.
Those additions pushed UM’s class ranking to fifth (on On3/Rivals) and 11th (on 247).
The Canes so far have six players committed on offense and five on defense. A look at who’s committed on defense and some feedback:
Long Beach (Cal.) Poly cornerback Donte Wright
▪ The rating: Wright’s flip from Georgia to UM on Saturday was a monumental coup for the Canes. 247 Sports rates Wright the No. 2 cornerback in the country and the No. 9 prospect overall. ESPN has him 30th on its ranking of the top 300 players in the ‘27 class.
▪ The background: Wright committed to Georgia June 30 and visited the Athens campus at least twice over the last 11 months, while also visiting Oregon and Southern Cal. He suddenly decommitted last Saturday and immediately flipped to UM. He is expected to make an official visit to Miami on June 5.
▪ The stats: He had 25 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups last season.
▪ The feedback: 247 Sports’ scouting director Andrew Ivins said the 6-1 cornerback is a “coverage ace that could be a difference-maker for any Power 4 defense with his speed, twitch and physicality.”
Ivins said he “stays on top of routes with elite footwork” and “explodes out of breaks.” He doesn’t have “a ton of takeaways on the prep resume thus far, but can find the football and swat passes in the deeper third.” Ivins said he “looked the part at annual Battle Miami tournament as he showcased sound technique and went stride-for-stride with various blue-chip wide receivers.”
Houston-based defensive lineman Ezekiel Ayangbile
▪ The rating: The 247.com composite rankings slot him 23rd among all Class of 2027 defensive ends and the No. 227 prospect overall.
▪ The background: Last week, he picked Miami over LSU and Virginia Tech, which was very much in the running in part because both of his parents (including five-time Pro Bowl lineman Duane Brown) played for the Hokies.
▪ The stats: The 6-2, 265-pounder produced 50 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks last season at Langham Creek High in Houston.
“I’m very excited to work with [the UM staff],” he told Rivals. “And I think that they’re going to take me to the next level in my game... They’re going to be able to develop me into a great NFL player within three years, maybe four.”
▪ The feedback: 247 scouting analyst Gabe Brooks said he’s “physically gifted with above-average length and huge hands....- Can get swallowed up by larger blockers, but also displays effective rip-and-dip flexibility from multiple alignments.... Regularly in the right spots, but needs to more frequently finish impact playmaking opportunities.... Projects to the [Power 4] level as a possible high-major D-line piece who could fit a variety of roles/schemes.”
Key West defensive lineman Josh Johnson
▪ The rating: A three-star prospect is rated by 247 Sports as the nation’s No. 102 defensive lineman and 92nd best prospect in Florida. On3.com rates him the 89th defensive lineman and 871st-best prospect overall. All those rankings seem low considering the interest he generated from Power 4 schools in recruiting.
▪ The background: Johnson received a UM offer in January, visited three times since then and committed after a spring practice session, choosing the Canes over the Gators, who were the other finalist.
Johnson (6-5, 260 pounds) told On3.com: “It’s close to home. It’s like a two-and-a-half-hour drive. If you look at where I live, it’s so much closer than any other school — like insanely closer. It’s convenient. Another thing is the staff. Every time I’m up at Miami, they make me feel like I’m a need for them. That’s something I value.”
▪ The stats: He was a state qualifier in the shot put in 2024. He played in just five games last season because of injury.
▪ The feedback: South-Florida based recruiting expert Larry Blustein said: “He’s come on. I saw him last year, and he’s got good upside. Good pass rusher, every-down player. Good size, a straight defensive lineman who will be a work in progress. He’s athletic, so he can do anything; he played some offense.”
Hollywood McArthur defensive back Sherrod Gourdine
▪ The rankings: On3.com rated him the 62nd-best cornerback in the 2027 class and the 557th-best player overall.
▪ The background: Gourdine was offered in October 2024 and committed on March 24 of this year, after UM’s 305 Day for recruits. He chose the Canes over Mississippi, Texas A&M, Florida and Georgia, among others.
▪ The stats: The 5-10 cornerback had four interceptions in 2024, then impressed last season on defense and special teams; he had one kick return touchdown and one punt return touchdown. He also runs track.
▪ The feedback: Blustein said: “He’s a stud. Safety-type guy. He was under the radar for a while. Good ball skills, great tackler. Very athletic. Plays corner, but he’s a safety at the FBS level.”
McArthur safety Jaylyn Jones
▪ The rankings: 247 Sports rates him the No. 21 safety and the No. 225 prospect overall in the 2027 class. On3.com rates him 23rd and 231st.
▪ The background: UM offered him in 2024, and he committed last June, picking Miami over Notre Dame, Georgia, LSU, UF and FSU, among others. He’s scheduled to make his official visit to Miami this weekend. He told On3.com that UM’s coaching staff was the reason for his commitment.
▪ The stats: At 5-11 and 182 pounds, he had 27 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble last season.
▪ The feedback: Blustein said: “He’s been a star since seventh grade, started at Western, made the move to McArthur. I had him on the radio a couple weeks ago; he’s very intelligent, fast, rangy, a ball hawk. A leader, very vocal. He’s got good loose hips, and he’s been playing 7-on-7 at corner. But he’s probably a safety” in college.
Up next: A look at UM’s commitments on offense.
This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM.
