The Miami Hurricanes aren’t just riding the wave of a National Championship appearance-they’re paddling harder than ever.
Fresh off their unexpected surge to the title game, Mario Cristobal and his staff are proving they’re not in the business of resting on laurels. The Canes are staying aggressive on the recruiting trail, and one of their top targets is a name that may surprise some: Mekhi Williams, a four-star safety who’s currently committed to in-state rival Florida State.
Williams gave his verbal to the Seminoles back in March of last year, but that hasn’t stopped Miami from making a strong push. And it’s working-at least enough to get the talented defensive back back on campus. Williams has already visited Miami once, back in September, and now he’s got two more trips lined up, including an official visit this summer.
If you’re Miami, that’s exactly the kind of momentum you want to see.
Williams, who hails from Ruskin, Florida, is one of the most sought-after safeties in the 2027 class. He’s ranked No. 11 nationally at his position and sits just outside the top 10 among all Florida prospects. That makes him a big-time get for any program, but there’s something to be said for the Canes’ proximity and their recent success on the field.
Ruskin is less than four hours from Coral Gables, while Tallahassee is a longer trek north. That may not be the deciding factor, but when you pair location with a program that just played for a national title, you can see why Miami is very much in the mix.
Williams himself seems intrigued. When asked about his interest in the Hurricanes, he told 247Sports’ Gaby Urrutia, “A lot of great people have walked in and out of there, and I wanna see what it’s all about!”
That’s not exactly a door being slammed shut. In fact, it sounds like one that’s wide open.
Miami’s coaching staff knows what it’s doing here. They’re not just recruiting a name-they’re building relationships, stacking visits, and showing Williams what it looks like to be part of a program with real momentum. And while Florida State still holds the commitment, the Hurricanes are making it clear they’re not backing off.
So far, Williams has also visited USF twice and made a trip to Gainesville to check out the Gators. But with these upcoming visits, Miami will have hosted him more than any other school. That kind of face time matters-especially when you’re trying to flip a high-profile recruit from a rival.
There’s still a long way to go in this recruitment, but one thing’s certain: Miami isn’t slowing down. And if they keep making this kind of impression, the Canes could be in position to pull off another headline-grabbing win-this time on the recruiting trail.