As Miami gears up for its latest College Football Playoff run, there’s a subplot quietly brewing behind the scenes-one that could shape the Hurricanes’ future as much as this postseason shapes their present. With 29 of their 30 December signees already on campus, Miami is giving its top-10 recruiting class a front-row seat to what championship-level preparation looks like. And in some cases, those freshmen aren’t just watching-they’re getting reps.
It’s not every year you see this many early enrollees integrated into a playoff-caliber program this quickly. For Miami, it’s a blend of opportunity and intentional development, and it’s already paying dividends.
Take Jackson Cantwell, for example. The five-star offensive lineman has been with the team since Cotton Bowl prep and has already drawn praise from position coach Alex Mirabal and veteran linemen alike. On Media Day, the buzz around Cantwell wasn’t just about his size or pedigree-it was about how quickly he’s picked things up, how he’s moved, and how he’s handled himself in a high-stakes environment.
He’s not alone. Safety JJ Dunnigan, offensive lineman JJ Sparks, wide receiver Somourian Wingo, and defensive back Camdin Portis have all been practicing with the team since bowl prep.
Running back Javian Mallory and defensive back Brody Jennings joined before the Fiesta Bowl, and the rest of the class arrived last weekend. That means nearly the entire group has been getting live reps during one of the most intense stretches of the college football calendar.
Even for staffers who followed Mario Cristobal from Oregon-where early enrollees were part of the process-this level of freshman involvement during a postseason run is rare. And it’s not lost on the coaches how valuable this exposure can be.
“This is my first time going through it, but the value itself is unbelievable,” said tight ends coach Cody Woodiel. “To see the guys who might be leaving the program, who’ve had great careers here, to see how they prepare and go about their business-it puts in perspective how long the season is and the kind of physical and mental preparation it takes to get through it.”
Running backs coach Matt Merritt is already seeing flashes from Mallory, who’s working as a scout team back. With fresh legs and a chance to go full-speed against a playoff defense, Mallory is making a strong early impression.
“Limited opportunities, but he’s done a great job helping our defense get ready,” Merritt said. “He looks just like he did at West Boca-fast, quick, powerful, smart, natural instincts. I’m really excited to see what he can do when we get to the spring.”
Merritt didn’t hold back when asked about the value of these early reps. “It’s a week before the Cotton Bowl, a week before the Fiesta Bowl, a week before this next game.
You essentially get three extra weeks of practice. That’s nine full-speed practices.
We do 15 in the spring, so by the time spring gets here, these guys are already on practice 10. They’re ahead of schedule.
They’re used to the speed. They know what to expect.
It’s like having a whole extra spring before spring even starts.”
That head start is something safeties coach Will Harris is also seeing with Dunnigan. The freshman safety has already drawn comparisons to current standout Jakobe Thomas.
“Very similar to Jakobe,” Harris said. “He’s physical, elusive, great change-of-direction.
But what’s most impressive is how locked in he is. His ball skills are already showing up.”
Zac Etheridge, who oversees the defensive backs alongside Harris, echoed that excitement. He sees something unique in this group-not just in terms of talent, but in how they’re approaching the opportunity.
“This group is going to be special,” Etheridge said. “They’re trying to build a bond.
Being here now and being part of this-it’s special for us. They get to be around guys like Jakobe, Keionte Scott, Zechariah Poyser.
They’re soaking it all in, watching practice, learning how we do things. JJ, Camdin Portis, and Brody Jennings-they’re showing up every day and doing their job, trying to make a first impression.
I’m excited about what they can do.”
But the benefit isn’t just for the players-it’s for the coaching staff, too. Etheridge pointed out how valuable it is to start the evaluation process now instead of waiting until spring.
“It helps us and it helps them,” Etheridge said. “You get a jump on spring ball.
They get to hear parts of the playbook, get used to the terminology, the tempo. And for us, we get to see who has the skillset, who can move, who can plug in when the opportunity comes.
Most importantly, they get to experience this moment. Now they know what it takes to get here.
They’ve seen it up close. That’s powerful.”
For Miami, the present is about chasing a national title. But the future?
It’s already suiting up, learning the playbook, and soaking in every rep. And if these early signs are any indication, the next wave of Hurricanes might be ready to make an impact sooner than later.