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Coveted local linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin signs with Hurricanes: "There’s no place like Miami"

Stephen Wagner covers recruiting for the University of Miami for On3 Sports and CaneSport. He can be found on Twitter at @stephenwag22 and reached at Stephen.Wagner@On3.com.by:Stephen Wagner•12/04/24•

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Ezekiel Marcelin
(photo via Ezekiel Marcelin)

Miami (Fla.) Central three-star 2025 linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin was once high school teammates with current Hurricanes Reuben Bain and Armondo Blount. After signing with Miami Wednesday, he officially became teammates with the former Central stars again.

Marcelin is confirmed to have signed with Miami today to formally join the Hurricanes program. His signing marks four straight seasons head coach Mario Cristobal has landed at least one prospect from the coveted local high school powerhouse.

Marcelin committed to Miami this summer over schools including Pittsburgh and Stanford, although he ultimately canceled his June official visit to Stanford to stay home and commit to Miami that weekend instead. Marcelin took an official visit to Pittsburgh one week after his official visit to Miami, but Miami won out.

“The OV made me realize a lot,” Marcelin said after committing. “Because traveling is cool, but going to those other places made me realize really there’s no place like home. Coach Cristobal, the whole staff, they always made me feel like I was one of their guys. That was really big. My family really likes it down there with Cristobal. They always treat my mom and dad amazing, so it was a no-brainer after going on the OVs. There’s no place like Miami.”

Marcelin kept in contact with Pittsburgh and Stanford in late summer and early fall, but Miami remained his undoubted leader. His connection with Cristobal and linebackers coach Derek Nicholson played a factor in keeping him locked in with the Hurricanes. He’s also been enthusiastic about the idea of staying in South Florida and playing with the state’s best high school athletes.

Marcelin took multiple game-day visits to Miami this fall as he locked in with the Hurricanes.

“I already knew it was coming because coach Cristobal told me since he started recruiting me that he was going to bring Miami back,” Marcelin said after Miami’s win over Florida State. “Cristobal said he was going to get the guys he needed to win, and that’s what he did.”

Marcelin is expected to early enroll.

“(Nicholson) just lets me know that I’m home and to get ready,” Marcelin said this summer. “When I get there, it’s on.”

CaneSport’s Take

Marcelin was your quintessential talented South Florida high school football player Miami needed to keep home if the Hurricanes want to fully restore The U to its former prominence. Marcelin fully bought into Cristobal’s vision of rebuilding Miami the way previous coaches had, which played a huge role in his commitment.

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