The Miami Hurricanes just sent a loud message to the rest of the college football world: the U is building something serious - and it's starting in the trenches.
On the first day of the Early Signing Period, Miami locked in all of its previously committed prospects, officially closing the books on another top-tier haul. This marks the program’s second top-10 recruiting class in the last three years, and it’s not just about the rankings - it’s about the muscle behind them.
Miami’s 2025 class, headlined by five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, finished No. 1 in the ACC and No. 10 nationally, per 247Sports. That’s four spots ahead of Florida State, which tells you everything you need to know about the Hurricanes’ recruiting momentum within the conference.
Out of 29 signees, 19 are blue-chip four-star prospects. It’s a class built on size, speed, and upside - and a few of these freshmen could be making noise from the moment they set foot on campus.
Five Freshmen Who Could Make an Immediate Impact
Jackson Cantwell, OT, Nixa (MO)
At 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, Cantwell isn’t just the crown jewel of this class - he’s the kind of lineman who can change the tone of an offense on Day 1.
With Francis Mauigoa heading to the NFL and the left tackle spot potentially opening up if Markel Bell departs, Cantwell has a real shot to step right into the lineup. He’s got the size, technique, and footwork to hold his own in the ACC trenches, and Miami’s history of trusting elite freshmen linemen only helps his case.
Javian Mallory, RB, West Boca Raton (FL)
If there’s one thing Miami’s proven lately, it’s that they’re not shy about giving young running backs the ball early.
Mark Fletcher Jr., Jordan Lyle, and Girard Pringle Jr. all saw meaningful snaps as freshmen, and Mallory fits right into that mold. He’s not quite as big as Fletcher, but he brings a similar blend of downhill power and breakaway speed.
Mallory’s already eyeing January enrollment and says the fit with the running back room feels natural. He’s built for the Hurricanes’ physical run game and could carve out a role early.
Milan Parris, WR, Walsh Jesuit (Stow, OH)
At nearly 6-foot-6, Parris instantly becomes the tallest wideout in Miami’s receiver room.
But he’s not just a red zone target - he’s got legit speed, clocked at 4.54 in the 40-yard dash. That combination of size and speed is rare, and it gives the Hurricanes a new kind of vertical threat.
With Josh Moore (6'4") being the next tallest, Parris could be a matchup nightmare, especially in the red zone or on deep shots down the sideline.
Joel Ervin, OL, Fort Myers (FL)
Ervin might not have entered the recruiting cycle with as much hype as Cantwell, but he finished it as one of the biggest risers in the class.
Now a four-star and top-300 national prospect, Ervin is walking into a situation where Miami’s offensive line could be undergoing a serious overhaul. With Mauigoa, Bell, James Brockermeyer, and Anez Cooper all likely NFL-bound, there are spots up for grabs.
If Ervin impresses in the spring and fall, don’t be surprised if he’s in the rotation - or even starting - by midseason.
Asharri Charles, DE, Venice (FL)
The Hurricanes’ defensive line is expected to take a hit this offseason, with Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor both heading to the pros.
That opens the door for someone like Charles, who brings speed and length off the edge. Miami has stocked up on edge rushers - Armondo Blount, Marquise Lightfoot, Booker Pickett Jr., and Malik Bryant are all returning - but the staff has shown a willingness to play young linemen early.
Hayden Lowe was set to contribute this year before an injury sidelined him, and Charles could follow a similar path if he flashes in camp.
The Rest of the Class
Beyond the headline names, this class is packed with depth and versatility across the board - exactly what you want when building a sustainable contender. Here’s a look at the rest of Miami’s 2025 signees:
- DL Tyson Bacon (Hoover, AL)
- TE Israel Briggs (Clovis, CA)
- DL/LB Jordan Campbell (Miami Northwestern, FL)
- DL Isaac Chukwurah (Caravel Academy, DE)
- QB Dereon Coleman (Jones, Orlando, FL)
- OL Ben Congdon (Tuscarawas Valley, OH)
- DB JJ Dunnigan (Manhattan, KS)
- LB Justin Edwards (Edgewater, Orlando, FL)
- WR Tyran Evans (Hough, NC)
- DB Brody Jennings (Mandarin, Jacksonville, FL)
- DL DeAnthony Lafayette (Lake Nona, Orlando, FL)
- TE Gavin Mueller (South Elgin, IL)
- DL Logan Nagle (DePaul Catholic, NJ)
- OL Canon Pickett (Tampa Bay Tech, FL)
- DB Camdin Portis (Myers Park, NC)
- DB Cortez Redding (Jonesboro, GA)
- DL Frederic Sainteus (St. John Neumann, FL)
- WR Vance Spafford (Mission Viejo, CA)
- OL JJ Sparks (Bolles, Jacksonville, FL)
- DL Keshawn Stancil (Clayton, NC)
- DB Jaelan Waters (Armwood, FL)
- WR Somourian Wingo (St. Augustine, FL)
- OL Rhys Woodrow (Boone, Orlando, FL)
Final Thoughts
This class checks a lot of boxes. It’s top-heavy with elite talent like Cantwell, but it’s also deep - especially in the trenches, where Miami continues to invest heavily. The Hurricanes are clearly building with a vision: dominate up front, develop playmakers, and reload with high-upside athletes across the board.
If even a handful of these freshmen hit early, Miami could be looking at a fast track back to national relevance. And with this kind of recruiting momentum, it’s clear the Canes aren’t just trying to compete in the ACC - they’re aiming higher.