Miami in the Driver’s Seat for No. 1 Recruit DJ Jacobs Jr. as 2026 Class Heats Up
After locking down elite offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell in the 2026 class, Miami isn’t slowing down. The Hurricanes are now firmly in the mix for DJ Jacobs Jr., the top-ranked player in the country according to 247 Sports - and the buzz around Coral Gables is getting louder.
Jacobs, a five-star edge rusher out of Atlanta, is closing in on a decision, and Miami is surging at just the right time. Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas A&M are all firmly in the race, but Miami is making a compelling case - on the field and off it.
A Rare Breed Off the Edge
Jacobs checks every box you want in a modern edge rusher. At 6-foot-5 and in the 210-215 pound range, he’s a long, twitchy athlete with explosive first-step quickness and a mean streak to match. He’s not just slipping past blockers - he’s going through them.
“He’s a striker,” one insider said. “A lot of lean pass rushers try to avoid contact.
Not Jacobs. He welcomes it.
He delivers on impact.”
And the production backs up the hype. As a junior, Jacobs posted 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks. For his career, he’s racked up 292 tackles, 67 TFLs, and 31 sacks - and he’s been a starter since his freshman year.
The comparisons are lofty. Think Abdul Carter’s explosiveness with a longer frame and a wingspan that gives offensive tackles nightmares. He’s got the flexibility to bend the edge, but the power to collapse the pocket - a rare blend that makes him a nightmare for offensive coordinators.
Why Miami’s Pitch Is Hitting Home
Jacobs is paying close attention to how he’ll be used at the next level, and Miami’s scheme fits like a glove.
“Miami’s defensive ends are playing at the best level of anybody in the country,” the insider noted, pointing to the impact of players like Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor this past season. For a player like Jacobs, who wants to attack now - not wait until the NFL - that kind of aggressive front is a major selling point.
Then there’s the Jason Taylor factor. The Hall of Famer and Miami defensive ends coach has a similar build to Jacobs and brings instant credibility to the room. When a gold jacket is mentoring you, it’s hard not to take notice.
The scheme under defensive coordinator Lance Guidry has also separated Miami from some of the other contenders. At Georgia, for example, edge rushers are often asked to set the edge or eat up blocks rather than fly off the ball. Jacobs wants to hunt quarterbacks, and Miami’s system lets him do just that.
The NIL Factor: Miami’s Aggressive Approach
There’s no ignoring the role NIL plays in today’s recruiting landscape - especially at premium positions like edge rusher.
Georgia, for all its on-field success, has been more conservative when it comes to NIL spending on high school recruits. That approach cost them with Jackson Cantwell, and it may be a factor again here.
“They only signed one top-10 player in the state of Georgia last year,” the insider noted.
Miami, on the other hand, has been aggressive. The Hurricanes are investing heavily in the trenches - offensive tackles and edge rushers - because those are the hardest to find and the hardest to keep.
Once they’re in college and producing, the price skyrockets in the transfer portal. The strategy: get them early, develop them, and keep them.
A Visit That Made an Impact
Jacobs was on campus for Miami’s win over Notre Dame, and the visit clearly left an impression.
“The crowd was electric,” he said. “It was just an awesome time being down here.”
What stood out most? The defensive line.
“They come off the ball and they attack. They don’t let anyone stop them. They were dominating last night,” Jacobs said.
He also noticed the vibe around campus - something that often gets overlooked in recruiting.
“The students staying around on campus - that means a lot,” he said. “When the students like the place, that means it’s a good place to be.”
Jacobs knows exactly what he brings to the table.
“Fast, physical, and just electric on the field,” he said. “And I hustle.”
And Miami’s staff made sure he felt that energy from top to bottom.
“Coach was awesome,” Jacobs said. “Great coaching staff. Great people in the building.”
What It Would Mean for Miami
If Miami can close the deal on Jacobs - and potentially pair him with Mark Matthews, the No. 2 player in the country - it would be a seismic moment for the program.
“You’re talking about arguably the two top players in the country on both sides of the line,” the insider said. “You start there and now you’re in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall class in the country.”
And that’s not just a recruiting win - that’s a culture shift. It’s the kind of haul that turns momentum into sustained success.
It also strengthens Mario Cristobal’s reputation as one of the best recruiters in the game. Previously, Miami had to sell hope - now they’re selling proof.
Proof in the form of Bain, Mauigoa, and others already on the field and trending toward the first round.
That’s why this recruitment matters. And that’s why Miami feels like more than just a contender - they feel like a legitimate favorite.
As things stand, the Hurricanes are in a strong position. And if they land Jacobs, the rest of the 2026 class - and the college football world - will be watching closely.