The Recruiting Notebook: Legacy CB Brody Jennings Flips to Miami, Brings High-Level Tools and Pedigree to the U
When it comes to building a championship-caliber secondary, you can never have too many blue-chip corners-and Miami just landed a good one. Jacksonville (FL) Mandarin 4-star cornerback Brody Jennings is officially headed to Coral Gables, flipping his commitment from Michigan to the Hurricanes and continuing a family legacy with deep roots in Florida football.
A Familiar Name, A New Path
If the last name sounds familiar, that’s because Jennings is football royalty in these parts. He’s the younger brother of former Miami linebacker Bradley Jennings Jr. and the son of former Florida State standout Bradley Jennings Sr. But Brody isn’t just riding the coattails of his family tree-he’s carving out his own identity as one of the top defensive backs in the 2026 recruiting class.
Jennings burst onto the scene as a freshman at Mandarin High School, posting 33 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a sack, five pass breakups, and an interception. That early production put him on the radar of college programs across the country.
But just as his stock was rising, Jennings missed his entire sophomore season. The exact reason for the absence wasn’t made public, but it didn't slow down his recruitment.
Even off the field, his name stayed hot. Jennings continued to rack up offers and interest from major programs, including stops at Miami and Florida State. He originally committed to Michigan after visiting Ann Arbor, but the door never fully closed on the Hurricanes.
Back on the Field, Back in the Spotlight
Jennings returned to action as a junior and didn’t miss a beat. He posted 29 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries, helping lead Mandarin to the Florida 5A playoffs. That performance reignited the recruiting buzz-and the offers started rolling in again.
Alabama, Georgia, Auburn, and Miami all made strong pushes to flip his commitment. Jennings began taking visits, including unofficials and officials to Florida State, Florida, Auburn, and Michigan.
But it was Miami that ultimately won out. On July 5th, Jennings made it official: he was flipping his commitment from Michigan to Miami.
There’s even more family connection to the U-Jennings’ sister Britney is currently a freshman on Miami’s track and field team.
Senior Season Recap
Jennings closed out his high school career with another strong campaign. He recorded 22 tackles, a sack, four interceptions, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His Mandarin squad made a deep playoff run before falling in the Regional Finals to rival Buchholz.
Recruiting Ranking Snapshot
According to the 247Sports Composite, Jennings is rated as a 4-star prospect. He ranks as the No. 27 cornerback nationally, No. 40 overall in the state of Florida, and No. 292 in the 2026 class. He chose Miami over 35 offers, including finalists Auburn, Florida, and Florida State.
What Miami Is Getting
At 6’1” and 175 pounds, Jennings brings ideal length for an outside corner. His long arms give him an edge in man coverage, especially at the catch point where he can disrupt timing and contest throws. While he’ll need to add some strength to handle the physicality of college football, he doesn’t need a complete rebuild-just functional gains that won’t compromise his agility or fluidity.
Jennings is a versatile defender who’s comfortable in both man and zone schemes. That flexibility will serve him well in a Miami defense that likes to mix coverages. He’s well-coached, technically sound, and has a high football IQ-no surprise, considering his family background and the fact that Mandarin High is known for producing top-tier talent.
One of Jennings’ underrated strengths is his ability as a blitzer. He’s a weapon on corner blitzes, showing great timing and closing speed. That’s a wrinkle Miami’s coaching staff should look to incorporate in the right situations.
Speed-wise, Jennings is solid but not elite. He can flip his hips and run with most receivers, but he may struggle a bit with true burners.
One area for development will be ball tracking-getting his head around when the ball is in the air and making plays without drawing flags. That’s something Miami’s current coaching staff has made progress on with other defensive backs, so there’s reason for optimism.
Jennings will also need to grow as a tackler, particularly in run support and when defending screens. Being a willing and physical tackler on the edge-even if it’s just a few plays a game-can be the difference between a solid corner and a complete one.
Strengths:
- Ideal height and length for the position
- Strong football pedigree
- Technically sound and well-coached
- Sticky in coverage with high-level instincts
- Effective blitzer off the edge
Areas for Growth:
- Needs to add strength to handle physical receivers
- Lacks elite top-end speed
- Must improve as a tackler and run defender
Miami Outlook
Jennings projects as a true outside corner at the next level, which means he may have to wait his turn. Miami returns experience at the position, and recent recruiting classes have added more depth to the secondary. Early on, Jennings will likely make his mark on special teams while he adjusts to the college game and bulks up a bit.
But the long-term outlook is promising. With his combination of length, versatility, and football IQ, Jennings has the tools to develop into a reliable starter. And with a family history steeped in high-level football, he knows what it takes to succeed at this level.
Miami’s secondary has been trending upward under the current coaching staff, and Jennings fits the mold of the kind of corner they’re looking to develop-long, tough, versatile, and smart. He may not be a day-one impact player, but don’t be surprised if he becomes a key piece of the Hurricanes’ defense in the years to come.
Go Canes.