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Local star DL Daylen Russell signs with Miami Hurricanes: "I want to earn my spot" ... vied to be first signee - "I sent them at 7:01"

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•12/20/23•

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Daylen Russell

Miami (Fla.) Columbus three-star defensive lineman Daylen Russell knew he was signing with the Hurricanes for the better part of the last seven months, so after committing in late May he set his sights on mentally preparing for the college level and trying to help the Hurricanes “make history.”

Now he is confirmed signing with UM, so his journey to history can officially begin.

Russell long held Miami as one of his top choices as the hometown school and felt an immediate connection with Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal, and he was one of Miami’s first commitments in late May. He’s been solid with the Canes since his pledge and remained enthusiastic about Miami through a handful of ups and downs, constantly reaffirming his belief in Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal’s vision for the program.

He steadily grew closer to Miami’s coaching staff, too.

“My bonds with the coaches have gotten way closer than they were before,” Russell said. “They tell me a lot about how it was back then, how (Miami) was winning, winning and nothing but winning. You look to it now, and that’s what we’re doing at Columbus. I just can’t wait to transfer that over to the University of Miami.”

Russell was continually encouraged by the Hurricanes’ fight and persistence and felt Miami had opportunities to win each game it played this season. He was the Hurricanes’ first defensive line commit in a class that emphasized the defensive front.

CaneSport has noted Russell is an intriguing prospect at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds, although his head coach says he’s far bigger than his listed weight. He may still be a bit undersized for DT, but showed the speed and strength to match up with anyone he faced on the interior at the high school level.

Miami’s staff additionally talked to Russell about how he can “earn (his) spot” at the next level and made sure to keep him locked in, even though the three-star prospect never gave the Hurricanes reason to sweat. He made sure to keep returning to campus and developing his relationships with Miami’s staff despite never taking an official visit (had to cancel last weekend due to an emergency).

“(I visited twice in June) just to keep building relationships with the coaches, the players, all of those guys, so that way when I get ready to come here, it’s easier for me,” Russell said. “They just talk to me about how I can come out there and start, and I want to earn my spot.”

CaneSport’s Take

Russell’s commitment helps Miami strengthen its Columbus pipeline, which has historically produced more than its fair share of talent, but he’s also a prospect the Hurricanes’ staff undoubtedly holds faith in.

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