Miami's pursuit of a top-tier tight end for their 2027 class faced a setback as Anthony Cartwright III, a Rivals four-star standout, opted for Oregon over the Hurricanes. This decision came after Cartwright, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound talent from Detroit Country Day, evaluated his options between Miami, Oregon, Michigan, LSU, and Michigan State. His commitment followed official visits to both Miami and Oregon earlier in June.
Cartwright, who stands out not just for his size but also his skill set, is ranked as the No. 16 tight end in the 2027 class by Rivals. Nationally, he's placed at No. 351, while the 247Sports Composite lists him at No. 408 overall and No. 20 among tight ends. In his home state of Michigan, he's considered the eighth-best prospect.
During Miami's official-visit weekend on June 5, Cartwright was the sole uncommitted prospect, mingling with future Hurricanes. Miami had been a contender since April, offering him the opportunity to build an early rapport with their quarterback commit, Israel Abrams. However, his visit to Eugene on June 19 clearly left a lasting impression, leading to his commitment to the Ducks nine days later.
Oregon's recruitment success continues as they previously secured five-star tight end Kendre Harrison in the 2026 class and have also locked in 2027 three-star George VanSandt. This bolsters their offensive lineup, showcasing their prowess in attracting top talent.
Meanwhile, Miami's 2027 offensive skill commitments are shaping up with some impressive names. Wide receiver Nick Lennear ranks No. 17 nationally and is the No. 4 wide receiver, as well as the No. 2 player in Florida.
Quarterback Israel Abrams, a key figure in Miami's recruitment pitch to Cartwright, is No. 39 nationally and the No. 3 quarterback, holding the No. 2 spot in Illinois. Running back Ty Keys comes in at No. 186 nationally and is the No. 14 running back, while tight end Demarcus Deroche is ranked No. 281 nationally and No. 13 at his position.
As the recruitment season continues to unfold, both Miami and Oregon are assembling formidable rosters, each vying for supremacy in the college football landscape.
In Other News...
Miami Just Lost A Chaminade-Madonna Playmaker To A Bitter Rival
A familiar South Florida recruiting name came off the board with a choice that will sting plenty of people around Coral Gables. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna wide receiver Armani Strong, a four-star prospect in the 2028 class, is headed to Florida after drawing serious attention from Miami, USC, Notre Dame and Michigan, giving the Gators an early win in a battle that had plenty of local significance for the Hurricanes.
For Miami, the miss is especially notable because Strong has long been part of the South Florida talent stream the program works so hard to keep home. He enters the cycle as one of the more highly regarded receivers in the country and in Florida, while Floridas new staff under Jon Sumrall gets its first commitment of the 2028 class. Even this early, the recruiting board is already starting to show which battles the Hurricanes can afford to lose and which ones they probably cannot. [Read more 🡒]
EA Sports Just Sent Miami Fans A Clear Message About This Roster
EA Sports latest College Football 27 ratings offer a pretty clear snapshot of where Miami sits in the national conversation heading into the games July 9 launch. The Hurricanes come in at 88 overall, tied with LSU and Ole Miss and trailing a group that includes Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, Notre Dame and Texas, which is the kind of placement that suggests respect without quite reaching the sports top shelf.
The bigger takeaway for Miami fans is how much talent the roster carries beneath that team number. The Hurricanes have 15 players rated 85 or better, with the group split across both sides of the ball, a sign that this is not just a team built around a few headline names. Early access opens July 6 for eligible players, so plenty of fans will be getting their first close look at how the roster is stacked and where the game thinks Miamis strengths really lie. [Read more 🡒]