Miami’s presence at The Opening Finals may end up paying off twice.
The Hurricanes already had one major stock-up from the event in cornerback commit Donte Wright, and now they’re in the mix for another big addition with four-star wide receiver Eli Woodard set to announce his decision on June 30.
Rivals slotted Wright at No. 6 on its overall top performers list from The Opening, with Woodard right behind him at No. 7. Miami is one of Woodard’s three finalists, alongside Cal and UCLA.
Wright has been one of the headliners in Miami’s 2027 class ever since he flipped from Georgia in May. The Long Beach Poly standout is ranked No. 10 overall and No. 2 among cornerbacks in the Rivals Industry Ranking, and he backed that billing against top competition at The Opening. He came away with an interception on Day 2 and emerged as the highest-ranked defensive back in the event’s final top 10.
Louisville wide receiver commit Ja'Hyde Brown was named MVP of the event, but Wright still made a clear impression among the nation’s elite. His 2025 junior season at Long Beach Poly ended with 25 tackles, two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and seven pass breakups in seven games.
Woodard, meanwhile, gave Miami another reason to stay on alert. He told Rivals he is close with Wright, and said the chance to join another California prospect in Coral Gables would help with the move away from home.
On the field, Woodard put together a big junior year of his own. He finished with 51 catches for 1,070 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games, averaging 21 yards per reception. He also added 32 tackles, seven pass breakups and one interception on defense.
Woodard enters his decision ranked No. 156 nationally, No. 23 among wide receivers and No. 16 in California in the Rivals Industry Ranking. He had previously committed to USC before reopening his recruitment in May.
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