The Miami Hurricanes are staying firmly in the mix for one of the more intriguing interior offensive line prospects in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Reis Russell, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman out of Valor Christian High School in Littleton, Colorado, has trimmed his list to six schools-and Miami made the cut.
Joining the Hurricanes in Russell’s top six are Florida, Georgia, Oregon, SMU, and Washington. That’s a competitive group of programs, and each brings its own pitch to the table. But Miami isn’t just a name on the list-they’re very much in the thick of this recruitment.
Russell is currently a three-star prospect, ranked No. 537 nationally in the 2027 class, No. 2 overall in Colorado, and No. 34 among interior offensive linemen in the Rivals Industry Ranking. He holds more than 20 FBS offers, and his recruitment has picked up serious steam after a flurry of campus visits and in-home meetings.
One of those recent visits came from Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, who’s been working the trenches hard for the Canes. Mirabal’s presence in Russell’s recruitment signals Miami’s intent to keep beefing up its offensive line pipeline with technically sound, high-upside prospects. And when you look at what Miami’s been building in the trenches lately, it’s no surprise they’re in contention for a player like Russell.
What makes Russell’s recruitment compelling is the variety of programs in his final six. Florida has the edge when it comes to long-standing relationships-Russell has spoken highly of Gators OL coach Phil Trautwein, dating back to Trautwein’s days at Penn State. That kind of continuity matters, especially for linemen who want to be developed over the long haul.
Georgia and Oregon are perennial heavyweights in the offensive line recruiting game. Both programs have national clout, elite development reputations, and a history of sending linemen to the NFL. Washington, meanwhile, has been aggressive in the western recruiting footprint and continues to produce pro-ready linemen, which resonates with a Colorado-based prospect like Russell.
SMU might raise some eyebrows, but don’t sleep on the Mustangs. They’ve been punching above their weight in recruiting battles and selling a vision of early playing time and program momentum.
As for Miami, this is where things get interesting. The Hurricanes have been making a concerted push to dominate the line of scrimmage, and it’s showing in their recruiting classes.
Russell’s inclusion of the Canes in his top six is a testament to the program’s growing appeal among elite linemen. Miami’s recent track record of development and the coaching staff’s consistency-especially with Mirabal leading the charge-give them a real shot here.
Valor Christian, Russell’s high school, has a history of producing high-level offensive linemen, so this is a player who’s been developed in a strong program and understands what it takes to compete at the next level.
Miami’s 2027 recruiting class already includes local talent like athlete Demarcus Deroche (Cardinal Gibbons), wide receiver Ah’Mari Stevens (Chaminade-Madonna), safety Jaylyn Jones (McArthur), and offensive tackle Zaquan Linton (Palm Beach Central). Adding Russell to that group would be a significant win in the interior, complementing the length and athleticism Miami is stacking on the outside.
It’s still early in the 2027 cycle, but getting into a finalist group this early-especially with a player who’s already fielded 20+ offers-is a clear sign that Miami is doing the right things on the recruiting trail. Now, it’s about closing the gap and making the pitch that sets them apart.
Russell’s recruitment is one to watch, and for Miami fans, there’s plenty of reason to stay tuned. The Canes are in the fight-and they’ve got the tools to win it.