Mario Cristobal’s rebuild in Coral Gables is starting to look less like a project and more like a blueprint. While Miami’s 2025 national title game run was fueled by high-profile transfers like Carson Beck, Keionte Scott, and Keelon Marion, the real foundation of The U’s resurgence has been laid through high school recruiting. And that effort isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Cristobal and his staff just wrapped up their third top-10 recruiting class since taking over, and if early signs are any indication, the 2027 cycle might be just as strong-if not stronger. With four early commitments already on the board-all hailing from Florida-Miami is now turning its attention north, targeting one of Notre Dame’s prized pledges: four-star cornerback Ace Alston.
Alston, ranked as the No. 11 cornerback and No. 117 overall prospect in the 2027 class by 247Sports Composite, announced on social media that he’d received an offer from Miami. The Cincinnati native committed to the Irish back in December, but his recruitment is far from over-his senior season is still months away, and Cristobal clearly sees an opening.
Alston’s tweet made it official: Miami is in the mix.
🙏🏾 Blessed to be offered by @CanesFootball 💯 Thank you @ZacEtheridge4 and @CoachWillHarris for the opportunity 🥷🏝️ @CoachEvanDreyer
Before choosing Notre Dame, Alston made the rounds with unofficial visits to some of the sport’s biggest brands-Ohio State, Missouri, USC, Penn State, and Tennessee all got him on campus. He also made several trips to South Bend before locking in his commitment.
Miami, at the time, wasn’t even in the conversation. That’s changed.
With the dust settling on the 2026 class and the Transfer Portal’s biggest moves finalized-highlighted by Miami landing quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate from Duke-the Hurricanes are now pivoting to the next wave of talent. And Alston has become a priority.
Flipping a player of Alston’s caliber this late in the game won’t be easy. Notre Dame has a strong track record of holding onto top defensive backs, and Alston’s early commitment suggests he’s bought into what Marcus Freeman is building. But Miami has something that could tilt the scales: momentum-and money.
The Hurricanes’ Cinderella run from the No. 10 seed to the national championship game brought more than just national respect. It came with a $20 million payday, thanks to the ACC’s unique revenue structure that allows playoff bonuses to stay in-house. That, combined with the expected $20+ million from the House Settlement’s revenue-sharing cap and whatever NIL backing the program can generate, gives Miami serious financial firepower.
A big chunk of that cash has already gone toward the portal haul, but there’s still plenty left to invest in the 2027 class. And if Cristobal’s track record tells us anything, it’s that he knows how to close on elite talent when the resources are there.
Alston might not have had Miami on his radar a few months ago, but the Hurricanes are officially in pursuit. Whether they can flip him remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Cristobal isn’t just chasing stars-he’s building a roster that can keep The U in the national spotlight for years to come.