Miami OL target talks recruiting battle between Hurricanes, Georgia Tech

Milton (Ga.) Cambridge three-star 2025 interior offensive lineman Gabe Smith has had a busy spring between school and nearly half a dozen recruiting visits, but after watching a month of spring practices at different schools, two programs have risen to the top.

Miami and Georgia Tech have separated for the 6-foot-5, 330-pound interior offensive lineman after attending a Hurricanes’ spring practice in early April and locking in official visits with the two schools. Smith also said Liberty, South Florida and Georgia Southern have also impressed him, but Miami and Georgia Tech are currently at the top of his list. Smith will take an official visit to Miami June 21 and Georgia Tech May 31.

“(Miami) is just really good at communicating,” Smith said. “They text me nearly every day, and I always have a good laugh with them. I always get on calls with them. And when I was there for spring practice, there was just a lot of good culture and a lot of good people there for sure.”

Miami is recruiting Smith at offensive guard and has praised him for his ability to pull on power and counter plays and his general physicality in run games, and his relationship with head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal has left little for Smith to still desire. Smith said he and his parents hear from the two coaches daily in a large group chat, adding his parents have been particularly impressed with Cristobal and Mirabal.

“Really, Miami has been like perfect with communicating with me and all of that,” Smith said. “(Georgia) Tech too. I mean, the other schools have been great, but just (haven’t communicated) not as well as them.”

Smith said Georgia Tech has also made efforts to contact him daily and has gently pushed for him to commit, although sees himself most likely making a decision this summer “probably after my officials.” He believes he could commit during an official visit if the time feels right, but he otherwise plans to roughly look at some time in July.

CaneSport’s Take

We listed Smith as one of our under-the-radar targets for Miami fans to know and monitor earlier this year after his January visit. Smith began receiving serious attention from the Hurricanes last year and has continued to be a prospect Miami wants to monitor heading into the summer. The Hurricanes think they’ve found an underrated gem.