Miami’s push for 2028 five-star offensive tackle Maui Tonata just got a major boost.
Rivals national recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong has logged an expert prediction for the Hurricanes to land Tonata, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman from Orem (Utah) High who sits at No. 1 among offensive tackles and No. 13 overall in the 2028 Rivals Industry Rankings. He also carries five-star or high four-star grades across other services and is the top-ranked prospect in Utah.
The prediction, posted Monday with a 60% confidence level, comes with Tonata set to take his second trip to Coral Gables this weekend for Miami’s game against Florida State. His first visit came in mid-June, when he camped with the Hurricanes and worked with offensive line coach Alex Mirabal.
Miami is already in a strong spot in the Recruiting Prediction Machine as well, holding a 97.1% share for Tonata and sitting far ahead of any other program.
For a prospect from Utah, the fit might look unusual at first glance. But Tonata has made it clear he wants a move beyond the West Coast.
"I want to go outside of the West Coast. I want to go to the East Coast, and Miami caught my attention.
A lot of good competitors out here, and I know I got better. West Coast to the East Coast, I know it's a little bit different.
I worked some things out and got better."
He also came away impressed with what he saw from Miami’s program during that June visit.
"I love the coaching staff, I love the facilities and all the players here, the atmosphere, the people here especially."
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