4-star LB Raul Aguirre believes Mario Cristobal will bring Miami back

Over the last week, Raul Aguirre went back and forth between Alabama and Miami. He thought about playing for Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa, but he decided he wanted to go home and play for Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.

At the age of 10, the No. 131 prospect in the On3 Consensus moved to Atlanta from Miami. Aguirre and his family grew up Miami fans, so having the opportunity to play for his dream school means something to the four-star linebacker.

“It is like a dream coming true,” Aguirre told On3. “I know about the history at Miami. I watched them all my life. This is the school I have always wanted to play for, so this is special.”

It may be special for the 6-foot-1, 220-pound playmaker out of Fayetteville (Ga.) Whitewater, but it wasn’t easy. He went on vacation with his family last week. During that trip, he thought long and hard about this decision.

“Alabama is a great program with great players, so it was not easy, but Miami is where I want to be. I have the opportunity to go to Miami, show my talents in the ACC, and help get my dream school to the top.

“Alabama is there and it has won back-to-back champions. That is what I want to help Miami do.”

Mario Cristobal was the X-Factor for Aguirre

Before heading home to south Florida, Cristobal was the head coach at Oregon. Aguirre was never looking to go too far from home because he is a family guy. He is one of eight children and he wanted to stay close to his parents and his siblings.

Oregon was on his radar though – because of Cristobal. Aguirre is playing for a coach he believes in.

“Coach Cristobal played a really big part in this commitment,” Aguirre said. “He is a great coach and a great guy. He is about winning and we have that same mindset.

“Coach Cristobal is getting top players and he is going to win at Miami. We want to win at everything we do, so being able to play for him is a dream coming true.”

Cristobal has the support of many former Miami greats.

“I have been talking to Ed Reed and other players that went to Miami and all say coach Cristobal is going to bring it back. Everyone thinks he is the right coach for the job.

“The energy is back and it is because of coach Cristobal. He is the coach I want to play for.”

Aguirre sees Miami quickly rising to the top

Miami is on fire. Five-star offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa committed to the Hurricanes on July 4. Elite EDGE Jayden Wayne added his name to the list over the weekend. Jaden Rashada, Riley Williams, and Nathaniel Joseph are three other high-profile recruits Cristobal added commitments from this summer.

Miami is No. 7 in the On3 Team Rankings.

Who’s next?

“Everyone better hop on while you still can because Miami is about to be hot,” Aguirre said. “Like coach Cristobal says all of the time, ‘When Miami is on, it is like no other,’ and he is going to bring it back.

“He has a plan, he is executing that plan, and he coach, Strong, coach Mirabal, and his staff are getting top players. With him as the head coach, Miami is going to get the talent there. We will be winning again soon.

“It is about to get wild at Miami.”

Aguirre’s father attended Miami Columbus High School like Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal. Mirabal coached Aguirre’s father on the baseball team.