4-star midwest tight end Luka Gilbert signs with Miami Hurricanes: 'Miami feels like home every single time I’m there'
Cincinnati (Ohio) Lakota West four-star tight end Luka Gilbert has long waited for his opportunity to sign his National Letter of Intent with Miami and formally become a Hurricane.
Today he did just that.
CaneSport has confirmed Gilbert, the No. 303 overall prospect and No. 16 tight end in the On3 Industry Ranking, has signed with Miami. The 6-foot-7.5, 225-pound tight end became one of Miami’s first commits in the 2025 class when he announced his pledge April 8. Miami beat out programs including Michigan, Ohio State and Kentucky for the consensus four-star prospect.
“I just think after a long thought process and after my visits I was thinking about all the different possibilities and different places that I could go,” Gilbert told CaneSport after his commitment. “And it just really sticks out to me that Miami feels like home every single time I’m there. They treat me like I’m their very own family, and it’s really a blessing to be part of this program now.”
Gilbert fully shut down his recruitment and locked in with Miami immediately after committing. Tight ends coach Cody Woodiel played a huge role in landing Gilbert this spring after impressing him and his family on a January visit.
“I’d say the first time they went down there with me they fell in love with campus and coach Woodiel,” said Gilbert, who also stars in basketball at Lakota West High. “He treats us like family, like his own family. It is truly amazing that these coaches have treated me and my family (so well). They showed us around the campus and reassured us that this is the best decision for us.”
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Gilbert used his summer and fall to develop particularly strong relationships with fellow tight end Brock Schott and quarterback Luke Nickel, who were both on his official visit. Miami’s tight end production also helped keep the four-star prospect locked in.
“I think it shows a lot about the kids that they bring into the tight end room, and it’s an honor to be one of those kids that gets to work every day and get better every day,” Gilbert said. “It also says a lot about the coaching. It says a lot about coach Woodiel and what he’s doing with those tight ends and getting them prepared to go to the next level.”
CaneSport’s Take
Gilbert has been one of Miami’s most excited commits in the class and has been continually vocal about his excitement to enroll in January. He and Schott give Miami a very good two-man tight end class.
