Relationships push Miami over the top for elite EDGE Jayden Wayne

Tacoma (Wash.) IMG Academy EDGE Jayden Wayne had suitors from coast to coast — literally.

Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, Miami, Washington and LSU were among the programs courting the No. 36 prospect in the On3 Consensus. On Saturday, Wayne announced for the Hurricanes, the culmination of a nearly four-year pursuit by ‘Canes head coach Mario Cristobal dating back to his time at Oregon.

“It was just a really great fit,” Wayne told On3. I’ve had a great relationship with him (Mario Cristobal) since I was in eighth grade. We just have that strong relationship and just the family vibes. And the brotherhood there too. It was real strong there.”

Alabama and LSU, he added, were fighting hard with Miami to land him. Telling the coaching staffs at all the schools was hard, but especially those ones.

“It’s just tough. You just build all these relationships with all these coaches. You just meet different people and are just really trying to find consistency and just … you’re just picking one school so that’s hard.”

Miami made Jayden Wayne a top priority

When Cristobal and his staff came to Coral Gables in December, they quickly re-engaged Wayne to let him know he was still a top priority at the EDGE position. He visited in January for the program’s Elite Prospect Day, and he felt the love immediately.

“They made me feel like I was their priority, their top priority,” Wayne said. “They had the family vibes, and my mom loved it. My dad loved it. My sister and brother loved it.”

He returned late last month for an official visit, and that trip sealed the deal for him.

“It was just the time around the coaches [that made me know],” he said. “Like I said before, the family vibes. The atmosphere’s good. The players, too. They made it feel like home.”

Coaching staff was a major factor

In addition to Cristobal, Wayne is excited to be around what he believes to be an elite coaching staff. He brought over a strong bond with defensive line coach Joe Salave’a and has developed rapport with ends coach Rod Wright.

It also doesn’t hurt that Cristobal hired former Miami star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor into an off-field role, either. Those additions were just the icing on the cake to a connection with Cristobal that topped any other coach.

“[Cristobal is] just consistent,” Wayne said. “He’s got family vibes. He is real, competitive, and he wants to winny a natty.”