Sizing up UM’s defensive recruits — including an elite cornerback — and analyst feedback

Recruiting is coach Mario Cristobal’s greatest gift, and the Miami Hurricanes are poised to upgrade their defense with four intriguing pass rushers, five linebackers (a need position) and the nation’s top cornerback in the 2023 class.

With prep players permitted to sign with schools as early as next Wednesday, here’s a look at UM’s 12 nonbinding commitments on defense in a recruiting class that’s rated fifth overall by 247 Sports:

▪ Five-star Lakeland-based cornerback Cormani McClain (the No. 1 corner and No. 4 overall prospect):

Alabama continues to woo McClain, who committed to UM on Oct. 27, and there will be some level of suspense at Miami until he signs. Miami would be getting a big-time playmaker; he had 19 interceptions during his sophomore and junior seasons and one this past season.

“Exceptional player,” recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said. “Long, versatile. Plays corner, plays safety. Loose hips, athletic. I’ve been watching him since 10th grade. Extremely talented. Miami hasn’t had anybody like him recently, [though] Tyrique Stevenson is an SEC-level kid. There are things he needs to improve, but he’s ahead of the curve.”

Rivals.com’s Ryan Wright said McClain is “a cover corner that all will expect to start from Day 1. McClain has the speed, height, and wingspan to make life difficult for ACC receivers. The Hurricanes are getting a potential All-American with McClain. Besides being a freak athlete, McClain is just really good at what he does…. There is a dog factor in McClain that gets overlooked.”

▪ Melbourne-based four star cornerback Robert Stafford (the No. 17 cornerback and No. 169 player overall):

Stafford, 5-11, had an interception on defense and 201 yards receiving on offense this past season.

“Versatile kid,” Blustein said. “He plays receiver and can play safety and corner. I saw him play basketball last year. He can leap out of the gym; he has a 38-inch vertical. He reminds me some of [former UM and Dolphins receiver] Lamar Thomas. He’s really good. His coach told me he’s the heart and soul of that team.”

He will have a chance to compete in a cornerback room that loses Stevenson and DJ Ivey.

▪ Fort Lauderdale Dillard four-star cornerback Antione Jackson (the No. 31-ranked safety):

FSU and Clemson are among Jackson’s other offers, and he seems firm in his commitment to UM. Jackson, 6-1, can play cornerback or safety.

“He still has a lot to learn, but a great athlete and long,” Blustein said, with Jackson’s wingspan reportedly approaching 76 inches. “He can make a mistake and has good recovery speed. He’s long enough where he can get back to balls and bat them down. Once he gets more of the [proper] technique under belt, he will be really good.”

▪ IMG Academy edge player Jayden Wayne (No. 8 edge player, No. 62 prospect overall):

He played high school ball in Tacoma, Washington, (where he had 44 tackles and nine sacks in 2021) before transferring this year to IMG.

At 6-5 and 240, he is “quick off the ball and can create havoc in the backfield,” Blustein said. “It’s ironic that he went from a five-star to a four-star when he committed to Miami.”

247 Sports said he’s a second-round NFL-type talent. Wayne has cited his relationship with Cristobal (whom he has known since the eighth grade), UM assistant Rod Wright and UM analyst Jason Taylor as factors in his decision.

▪ Rancho Santa Margaritea (California) defensive lineman Collins Acheampong (No. 14 athlete, No. 221 player overall):

Acheampong (6-7, 254 pounds) flipped from Michigan to Miami on Nov. 29; he had been the Wolverines’ second-highest-rated prospect.

Acheampong, who also plays basketball, is raw — having played in just three football games during the past three seasons — but immensely talented. He had four sacks and four pass breakups before sustaining a season-ending MCL injury in Week 3.

He moved to the United States from Ghana intending to play basketball.

“Acheampong is a great-looking prospect with tons of potential, but right now it’s just that: potential,” Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney said. “He’s very unproven and has not played for any extended period of time against elite competition.

“At the camp I saw him at this offseason he looked great, came off the edge well. Probably needs to be more physical to have an early impact on the college level and it’s clear he’s still learning the game. Miami definitely has great coaches in place to make him something special, but I don’t think it happens for at least a couple years down the line.”

▪ Miami Central four-star defensive end Rueben Bain (247’s No. 10 edge prospect and No. 71 overall prospect):

He had an astounding 28 sacks and 37 tackles for loss in his first 10 games this past season, heading into Friday’s state championship against Plantation American Heritage.

“I think he probably will be a defensive tackle,” Blustein said. “He’s a different level kid, strong, agile, quick, versatile. He’s a difference-maker. He’s a lot like Leonard Taylor in the fact that coming out, you say he’s an Alabama [type talent], an Ohio State-type kid.”

▪ Fairburn (Georgia) Langston Hughes defensive lineman Joshua Horton (the No. 115 defensive lineman):

Projected to play defensive tackle for UM, the 6-4, 285-pound Horton had 114 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Andrew Ivins, 247’s Southeast recruiting coordinator, said Horton “has long arms and a wingspan that stretches nearly 6-foot-10…. Can change directions better than most his size… Should be viewed as a developmental interior defensive line prospect that can offer some value as a pass rusher. Will likely need a few years to get his body right, but has some of the tools required to be a multiyear contributor and possible impact player at the Power Five level.”

▪ Orlando Jones High linebacker Malik Bryant (No. 12 linebacker, No. 136 overall prospect):

“Big-time kid; will be in the mix immediately,” Blustein said. “A couple of other schools were toying with putting his hand down [and playing him at defensive end] because he’s growing.”

Blustein sees him as an outside linebacker at Miami. Bryant, 6-2 and 234 pounds, had 73 tackles, including 10 for loss, and six sacks this past season.

▪ Fayetteville, Georgia-based four star linebacker Raul Aguirre (No. 28 linebacker):

“He’s very quick and a tackling machine,” Blustein said. “Everyone wants to cut down [UM linebacker] Corey Flagg, but he [was third on UM in tackles] and he led them last year. I go on productivity. I don’t go on hype. Productivity is going to win you the games. Aguirre has that.”

Aguirre, who’s 6-2 and 220 pounds, had 96 tackles, a sack and an interception this past season.

▪ Miami Palmetto three-star linebacker Bobby Washington (No. 43 linebacker):

Listed at 6-3 and 210 pounds, Washington had 52 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks this season. His twin brother Robby, a receiver, also is committed to UM.

Blustein’s take: “During the spring, [UM linebackers coach] Charlie Strong and I were up in Palm Beach Gardens watching a jamboree and he was playing and I said to Charlie, ‘His instincts, I don’t know. He’s not reading things really well.’ Playing next to Stanquan Clark, I said, ‘there’s a huge difference.’

“But then I watched him during the season and said, ‘Is this the same kid?’ Great instincts. Fast. If anyone is greatly improved, it’s Bobby Washington. He’s not a plug-and-play kid, but over a two-year period, he will mature. He’s got the strength.”

▪ Colonial Heights, Virginia-based three-star linebacker Kaleb Spencer (the No. 44 linebacker): At 6-2 and 215 pounds, he could play safety at UM.

“He will be a playmaker,” Blustein said. “He was committed to Oklahoma” before Miami flipped him Oct. 28.

▪ Tyrone (Georgia) Sandy Creek linebacker Marcellius Pulliam (No. 77 linebacker):

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker had 43 tackles and four sacks in six games this past season.

Ivins said he “isn’t the longest defender out there, but he’s thickly built and can run. More importantly, he has impressed [later in the season], making a high number of stops in the box.”

UM has been attempting to flip Miami Central four-star linebacker Stanquan Clark (a Louisville commitment), Kissimmee Osceola High four-star cornerback Ja’keem Jackson (a UF commit) and Colleyville, Texas-based defensive lineman Enow Etta, a Michigan commitment.

Here’s my piece on UM’s commitments on offense and analysis of each.