Miami Recruiting: 2025 commit breakdown

After wrangling a top-five recruiting class last cycle, Miami is once again pushing for one of the top pledge lists in the nation.

With the summer beginning to near, Miami is making hay on the in-state recruiting trail and beyond. The Hurricanes’ class checks in at No. 15 in the nation and No. 3 in the ACC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Mario Cristobal and Co. have landed six commitments, as of April 12. Five of those commits are four stars and four hail inside the state of Florida.

Miami Class Breakdown

Miami has added two commits since March. Tampa Armwood four-star running back Girard Pringle pledged last month and is a top-100 recruit and the No. 6 RB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On300. Earlier this week, Cincinnati Lakota West four-star tight end Luka Gilbert joined the class as a top-300 recruit and top-15 TE.

Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola four-star linebacker Elijah Melendez headlines as the No. 156 prospect and the No. 19 LB in the On3 Industry Ranking. He committed to the Hurricanes on Dec. 16.

Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton four-star quarterback Luke Nickel was a riser in the updated 2025 On300 and is now is a top-25 signal-caller in the Industry Rankings. On3 ranks him as the No. 152 recruit, overall.

Boynton Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Central four-star wide receiver Waden Charles and Quincy (Fla.) Gadsden County three-star offensive tackle Lamar Williams round out the class.

Top Offensive Commit: RB Girard Pringle

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Pringle is a major outlier in the 2025 On300, checking in as the No. 93 prospect and No. 6 tailback. His March 23 commitment came quick for the Canes and he’s set to help highlight Cristobal’s pledge list for the entirety of the cycle.

Miami recruiting insider Stephen Wagner analyzed what the Hurricanes are getting in the in-state burner:

“Pringle’s speed fuels his power, and his power complements his speed. And while he may not yet be the most physically imposing back at 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds (although I believe he will continue to grow and should have no problem adding weight at the college level), he plays with an aggression and force well beyond his size and age.

Pringle is a high-caliber prospect with strong floor and an encouraging amount of room to develop at the college level. I don’t believe he’s close to his ceiling and should be able to continue developing under Miami running backs coach Matt Merritt in Coral Gables.”

Top Defensive Commit: LB Elijah Melendez

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Melendez continues to field interest from multiple top programs, but he remains pledges to the Hurricanes. He committed at the end of 2023 and sits atop the Miami class, as of April 12.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this of Melendez as a prospect:

“Physical, athletic linebacker who erases angles with his high-end play speed. Measured in at 6-foot-1.5 and around 220 pounds prior to his junior season. Looks to have good length. Registers as a plus athlete in the combine setting. Seamlessly transfers his athleticism onto the field. Lines up as an inside linebacker for one of the better talent-producing high school programs in Central Florida. Runs sideline-to-sideline. Hawks down ball carriers in an emphatic fashion. Closing speed jumps off the film. Also shows the encouraging play strength and physicality as a run defender. Takes on blocks and shows the ability to stack and shed. Flows downhill and makes plays in a phone booth. Has the athleticism to continue developing in coverage and as a space linebacker. Shows the high-end tools to develop into one of the best linebackers in the 2025 cycle.”