Miami Recruiting: 2025 commit breakdown
After logging a top-five recruiting class last cycle, Miami is once again on the hunt to compile another elite pledge list.
Thus far, Mario Cristobal and the staff in Coral Gables have laid the foundation for one of the top classes in its conference. As of April 27, the Hurricanes’ class ranks No. 15 in the nation and No. 3 in the ACC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.
Headlined by a key in-state defender and a wave of offensive blue-chippers, seven prospects are currently in the mix.
Miami Class Breakdown
Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez is the top-ranked pledge in the class for the Canes, checking in just outside of the On3 Industry Ranking top-150. Also a top-20 player at his position, Melendez is one of four in-state commits.
April brought a pair of tight end commitments for Miami. Cincinnati Lakota West four-star TE Luka Gilbert pledged on April 8 and was followed by Leo (Ind.) four-star TE Brock Schott less than a week later. Both are top-250 recruits and top-15 players at the position.
Tampa Armwood four-star running back Girard Pringle announced his commitment at the end of March, choosing the in-state school over the likes of Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton four-star quarterback Luke Nickel was the first pledge in the 2025 class and he’s now the No. 24 signal-caller in the cycle.
Another pair of in-state pledges currently round out the class in Boynton Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Central four-star wide receiver Waden Charles and Quincy (Fla.) Gadsden County three-star offensive tackle Lamar Williams.
Top Offensive Commit: TE Brock Schott
Standing at 6-foot-3.5 and 215 pounds, Schott is the latest commitment for Cristobal and Co. The No. 4 player in Indiana is also the No. 198 prospect overall and the No. 11 TE in the On3 Industry Ranking. The Canes beat out Ohio State for his pledge.
Schott broke down his commitment to Miami with On3’s Chad Simmons:
“Miami’s been a school that’s been on me since very early in my recruitment. They were on me since day one. Mario Cristobal, he’s really shown how much they want me. They showed me that I’m their No. 1 guy at tight end and they were willing to do as much as they could recruiting-wise to get me.
…They were making sure I got all the information, making sure I met everybody and making sure I saw how well they can use me in the offense. They’ve done a very great job of showing how much I mean to them and how much they can use me. I think coach Cristobal is doing a great job recruiting over there and they’re going to be building something great. I think Miami’s going to be pretty good in the next few years.”
Top Defensive Commit: LB Elijah Melendez
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Melendez has continued to work through his recruitment, but remains pledged to the Hurricanes. His decision came back in December, and he’s now the No. 112 recruit and No. 9 LB in the updated 2025 On300.
“They tell me that I’m the No. 1 linebacker in the country, and they don’t want anyone how they want me,” Melendez previously told CaneSport. “It makes me feel good. Having a coach who believes in me like that is someone I definitely want to play for.”
“I feel like I’ve been everywhere I need to be this fall, and I found my home,” Melendez said. “I talk to my mom a lot, and I talk to her, and she agrees. My mentors and people around me agree as well, and I think this is what’s best for me, and I don’t plan on flipping or de-committing.”