Mario Cristobal details long history with Jacob Lichtenstein

In December, Jacob Lichtenstein made the decision to leave USC and head back home to Florida to play his last season at Miami. Wednesday, Mario Cristobal opened up about his relationship with the star defensive lineman.

Cristobal’s connection to Lichtenstein goes back before they were in the Pac-12 together — Lichtenstein as a USC defensive lineman and Cristobal as Oregon’s head coach. They crossed paths on the recruiting trail when Cristobal worked at Alabama, which likely helped the recruiting process to Miami.

“Played against him, actually, when I was at the other place,” Cristobal said. “He was a starter at USC at defensive line — defensive tackle and defensive end. Big guy, 6-6, 280 pounds. … Really good football player.

“I recruited him at the University of Alabama when I was there before he went to USC. Plays strong, stout, explosive power, quick twitch, athletic ability, good pass rusher. Going to be a great player for us here.”

Lichtenstein was the No. 24 defensive lineman in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. This season, he had 28 tackles and four sacks for USC. He started eight games for the Trojans and entered the transfer portal on Dec. 6.

Cristobal is getting ready for his first season as head coach at his alma mater after four years as Oregon’s head coach. The Hurricanes have the No. 11 recruiting class in the nation this year, according to the On3 Consensus Team Rankings.

Mario Cristobal is fired up about January enrollees Cyrus Moss and Jaleel Skinner

To say Mario Cristobal was excited to talk about Cyrus Moss and Jaleel Skinner would be an understatement. The new Miami coach had nothing but good things to — finally — say about his highly touted early enrollees.

Moss and Skinner both committed to Miami after the Early Signing Period and Cristobal couldn’t talk about them with reporters. Wednesday, he got his chance, and he broke down what each player brings to the roster.

“[Moss] is here now, so he is training with our team,” Cristobal said. “Dynamic EDGE rusher, dynamic athlete at 6-foot-6. You’ll see him pop out of different events playing corner covering receivers. Rushing the passer but also taking on block-setting edges, and we need edge defenders. A big pickup for us there, tremendous human being, awesome family. Absolutely thrilled that he is here with us. Came across the country to be part of this.

“Jaleel is also on campus. These guys, they almost look like twin towers. … He’s been in the program now training for a couple weeks. He did play in the Polynesian Bowl along with Cyrus. Those guys missed the first All-Star Game due to minor health stuff but played up in the Poly Bowl. They’re both here now.”