Three Predictions: Clemson, Miami, Larry Miles
MORE PREDICTIONS: West Virginia's TikTok ban, Power Four starters, linemen
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The Tigers are not only America's hottest recruiting program right now, securing seven commitments over the last seven days, but they are dominating in the state of Florida in the meantime.
Clemson landed a trio of touted Floridians in the recruiting run to kick off the month, including top-100 overall recruits Naeem Burroughs, Grant Wise and Chancellor Barclay. The run pushed Dabo Swinney's program to the No. 2 recruiting class in the country.
The run isn't over in the Sunshine State, as is typical for any elite Clemson class. Another pair of visitors who were in town for the commitment weekend remain on the board, yet the Tigers sit higher on their list.
Kaiden Hall has a return trip to Alabama upcoming and the local Florida State Seminoles are desperate to keep him home, but buzz for Clemson hit an apex on the latest trip and now a decision could some sooner than initially considered.
Down in Sarasota, Cardinal Mooney defensive lineman Elijah Golden was in town and picked up the offer. Now talks of an official visit to Death Valley are picking up.
Clemson is also in the thick of it for Floridians Jasen Lopez, Javian Mallory and Danny Odem – all national recruits.
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Speaking of Jasen Lopez, Clemson is in line for a visit after his latest unofficial trip to Miami. Florida State and others are also working on the two-sport star, but Miami has prioritized him as long as any program and it's starting to look like the Hurricanes are easily the team to beat in this race. Now he is steady on taking additional trips before a decision is to be finalized, but it could take something outside of the box to push Miami down the list here.
Lopez to Miami would also continue to push the pipeline the Hurricanes have with state power Chaminade-Madonna High School in nearby Hollywood, Fla. Joshisa Trader was the key get in 2024, UM landed defensive back Chris Ewald from the Lions program last cycle and now Miami looks great for Lopez in the 2026 group (though it would also love to add five-star CMHS running back Derrek Cooper as well). Not only is Lopez individually coveted, but Mario Cristobal has made a point to work the pipeline programs in Dade and Broward County in his work to bring The U 'back.'
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As Miami's class takes shape and the pass-catcher position remains as coveted as ever, we're cooling on an earlier projection of Larry Miles to pick Miami like his high school teammate Dereon Coleman. While the Canes are still a top contender and will host the four-star slot again sometime soon, there are nine other programs on Miles' list and he will hit the visit trail hard in the coming months. Miles has official visits to Pitt, Kentucky and Louisville locked in for June.
Two other programs are worth looking at within the list of favorites in Florida State and Syracuse. The Seminoles are among the newer offers in for Miles, who had a monster junior season at Orlando (Fla.) Jones High School and has followed it up with steadily impressive performances early on this offseason. The program has new blood on staff and it is pushing for more star power at the skill positions, so expect a Tallahassee stop soon for the elite route-runner. On the other side of the coin, Syracuse has been high on Miles since offering more than one year ago. Those relationships have the Orange higher on the list than many realize.
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