Local top 2025 targets rise in the latest 247Sports rankings update
The Top247 for the Class of 2025 got a significant makeover on Tuesday afternoon after junior film was evaluated by the scouting team. Many top Miami targets were featured in the update.
Right now, Miami holds the No. 21 class next cycle with just a pair of pledges from Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton quarterback Luke Nickel and Palm Beach Central wide receiver Waden Charles . While neither cracked the latest Top247 update, there is plenty to be excited about with both of those prospects. But there are plenty Miami will add over the course of the next year to that group.
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There are a trio of top ten players Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes will chase in Birmingham (Ala.) Parker five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord , who has visited Miami twice since July. He’s the No. 7 player nationally. Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County linebacker Zayden Walker (No. 8 nationally) has also spent a good amount of time around the Hurricanes and he’s someone Derek Nicholson is pursuing next cycle, while Jahmile Addae and the defensive back staff also work on Tampa (Fla.) Zephyrhills cornerback DJ Pickett (No. 9 nationally).
Miami had Edwardsville (Ill.) defensive lineman Iose Epenesa (No. 18 nationally) in camp as a youngster and then hosted again in January for an unofficial visit. The younger brother of Buffalo Bills defensive lineman AJ Epenesa has been a target for some time. Over the weekend, Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick defensive lineman Nathaniel Marshall (No. 27 nationally) visited Miami. Palm Beach Benjamin athlete Amaree Williams (No. 30 nationally) is another who Jason Taylor and the defensive staff is high on that fall into early five-star range.
Jacksonville Raines interior offensive lineman Solomon Thomas (No. 22 nationally) is another name of note in that Top 32.
There are a couple of significant risers locally and the Hurricanes are high on both. The first is Miami Central safety Amari Wallace (up 121 spots to No. 46 nationally), while Plantation American Heritage cornerback Gregory Xavier Thomas makes his Top247 debut at No. 112 nationally.
Wallace has spent a ton of time around the Hurricanes over the course of his recruitment, while Thomas is a big 6-foot-2, 190-pounder who checks off plenty of boxes. Miami was first exposed to him at a team 7-on-7 camp at the school. They have been pursuing the junior since.
A few high risers in the second round range Cocoa (Fla.) EDGE Javion Hilson (up 87 spots to No. 134) and Vero Beach (Fla.) linebacker Tarvos Alford (up 33 spots to No. 49 nationally). Both are top Miami targets next cycle.
Bradenton IMG Academy linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (No. 53), Tampa Bay Tech wide receiver Dallas Wilson (No. 54), Corona (Cali.) Centennial quarterback Husan Longstreet (No. 56), Tallahassee James Rickards defensive lineman Jalen Wiggins (No. 57), and Jacksonville Mandarin safety Hylton Stubbs (No. 60) also fall into that grouping.
Miami Booker T. Washington cornerback Ben Hanks Jr. (No. 72), La Verne (Cali.) Bonita linebacker Noah Mikhail (No. 87), and Opelika (Ala.) defensive lineman Malik Autry (No. 90) are a few in the third round grouping that the Hurricanes are working on.
When it comes to South Florida prospects featured, Plantation American Heritage running back duo of Deandre Desinor (No. 160) and Byron Louis (No. 191) remain highly regarded, while Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Prep cornerback Chris Ewald (No. 164), Homestead wide receiver Cortez Mills (No. 203), and Miami Columbus safety Bryce Fitzgerald (No. 219) are also recognized.
Bradenton IMG Academy linebacker Gavin Nix (up 90 spots to No. 155) had a huge junior season and remains one of Miami’s top linebacker targets. Leo (Ind.) tight end Brock Schott (No. 163) and West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West tight end Luka Gilbert (No. 239) are both high on Cody Woodiel’s board.
Elba (Ala.) running back Alvin Henderson (No. 177) is another tailback the Hurricanes value next cycle. Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth defensive lineman Ethan Utley (No. 186) has been on campus before. Port Charlotte defensive lineman Myron Charles (No. 234) is one of the top defensive linemen on Miami’s board.
One of the final notable names is Palm Beach Central safety Tony Williams , who’s been around the program plenty, coming in at No. 242 nationally.
