When things are going well, there's always a twist. Miami's been red-hot on the recruiting trail lately, but it seems they might miss out on a top-tier prospect.
All signs suggest that five-star athlete Honor Fa'alave-Johnson is leaning towards committing elsewhere this Saturday. He’s choosing from six schools, including the Miami Hurricanes.
So, where’s he likely to land?
Rivals has pegged Fa'alave-Johnson as a strong lean towards USC, with Oregon trailing behind.
Fa'alave-Johnson is set to announce his decision on March 14.
He’s considering LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and USC. According to Rivals, USC has an 83.9% chance of landing the San Diego native, with Oregon at 13.9%.
The other contenders, including Miami, aren’t even in the mix. Given his West Coast roots, it’s not too surprising he might stay in-state.
The fact that Miami is even in the running is a win for the Canes.
Miami Hurricanes not expected to land 5-star Honor Fa'alave-Johnson
Fa'alave-Johnson shines as a star safety at Cathedral Catholic in San Diego. For Miami, the challenge isn’t just the distance of three time zones from home, but also the Catholic connection with Notre Dame. While Oregon is farther than USC, it’s still closer for his family to catch games.
These factors give USC, Oregon, and Notre Dame a significant edge over LSU, Miami, and Texas. Regional and religious ties bolster Notre Dame, Oregon, and USC. With USC on the rise, a talent like Fa'alave-Johnson seems destined for Los Angeles.
This isn’t a setback, but a reflection of the current landscape. USC is on the upswing, much like Miami has been under Cristobal.
The Trojans are serious contenders for the College Football Playoff this season. If the Big Ten gets four teams in, USC should be among them.
Just being in the conversation for Fa'alave-Johnson is a big deal for Miami.
Let’s face it, not every program could have pursued Fa'alave-Johnson with such vigor.