Miami suffered a setback on Wednesday with CB DJ Pickett’s commitment to LSU, but they continue to hone in on several key targets.
- Despite recent LSU buzz, the Canes continue to feel confident in CB Jaboree Antoine (New Iberia, LA) heading into tomorrow’s announcement. Of course, this is only one side of the equation. Oregon and Miami both felt good about Pickett, which is why the industry picked Oregon and I picked Miami. But the message has been consistent and this is a strong relationship.
- The Canes will continue to recruit Pickett through the buzzer. This feels like the Jeremiah Smith recruitment. Pickett is begging for a logical reason to come here and the Canes need to give him one on the field.
- The name of WR Jaime Ffrench (Jacksonville) continues to pick up steam. This is a wide-open recruitment with names like Tennessee, LSU and Texas all involved. But the communications with Miami continue to get stronger and this is an impactful player that the Canes love.
- The other big name to watch is DE Iose Epenesa (Edwardsville, IL). Miami remains in a strong position but he has not made a decision yet. Utah is believed to be the other primary contender.
- One thing to watch with the 2026 class is strong Miami ties. For example, OL Grant Wise (Pace), CB Camdin Portis (Charlotte) and OL Canon Pickett (Tampa) are legacies and OL Keenyi Pepe (IMG) is close to Francis Mauigoia.
- Some believe DE is the strongest position on Miami’s team right now, both in terms of veterans and young players. I asked which of the young DEs could play early. The response? “Any of them.”
