Spring football practices are underway statewide, which means college coaches will be crisscrossing the state looking for talent.
While it’s still relatively early in the 2027 recruiting cycle — it tends to really pick up during the summer — things are heating up.
In the past two weeks, Louisville picked up commitments from USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 players Carrollwood Day athlete Brooklyn Maxey and Cardinal Mooney defensive lineman Kaleb Exume. LSU flipped Chaminade-Madonna wide receiver Ah’Mari Stevens from Miami and Notre Dame continued to load up on defensive backs from Florida with a commitment from Chaminade-Madonna safety John Gay.
USA TODAY Florida Network recruiting reporters Jon Santucci and Nick Wilson give their thoughts on where each of Florida’s four Power 4 programs stand at the start of spring practices.
Miami
Total commits: Eight (six from Florida)
USA TODAY Florida Network top 100 commits: WR Nick Lennear (Carol City, No. 3), IOL Sean Tatum (John Carroll Catholic, No. 14), TE DeMarcus DeRoche (Cardinal Gibbons, No. 18), S Jaylyn Jones (McArthur, No. 33),, Sherrod Gourdine (McArthur, No. 71), DL Josh Johnson (Key West, No. 93)
Jon Santucci’s thoughts: It certainly appears that Miami has parlayed its run to the College Football Playoff Championship Game into momentum on the recruiting trail. There’s so much to like about the Hurricanes class so far, which also includes the No. 2 quarterback in the nation (Israel Abrams from Illinois). Lennear’s ability and competitiveness are why he’s the top-rated receiver in the state. Tatum is a tackle who likely moves inside at Miami. DeRoche has been committed for a while and could be an elite flex tight end at the next level. McArthur’s secondary helped the team reach the Class regional championship game a year ago, so getting Jones and Gourdine is impressive. Considering some of the in-state players who are heavily linked to Miami — St. Thomas Aquinas offensive tackle Mark Matthews (No. 1), Jesuit linebacker Kaden Henderson (No. 6) and North Miami Beach safety Andre Hyppolite (No. 36) — this could be an outstanding class in December.
Nick Wilson’s thoughts: Whoever signs Nick Lennear is the winner of the 2027 cycle in my book, and the ‘Canes look primed to only add to an already impressive class. There is a world where Miami signs half of the Top 20 players in the state. In addition to being the leaders for Matthews and Henderson, they are working to flip IMG CB Aaryn Washington (No. 6) from USC, are among the finalists from West Boca DT Jamar Thompson (No. 8), have long been high up on St Thomas Aquinas WR Julius Jones’ (No. 11) board, and likely won’t give up on the race for St. Thomas Aquinas S Zayden Gamble (No. 18) despite his recent commitment to Notre Dame. And the rest of the Top 100 is littered with prospects that Miami has mutual interest in. This staff has been in Florida long enough to see the seeds planted four years ago start to sprout, and they could have the No. 1 class in the country when it’s all said and done.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami football’s 2027 recruiting class shaping up to be a special one
Reporting by Jon Santucci and Nick Wilson, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
