Zaquan Linton is on a mission to help the Miami Hurricanes build their next powerhouse offensive line, and he's not planning to do it solo. Fresh off the excitement of 305 Day, Linton connected with five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews, expressing his desire for Matthews to join him in Miami.
The goal? To be a key part of the championship-caliber team that Mario Cristobal is assembling in Coral Gables.
“I want those boys with me. The best decision for offensive linemen is to go to Miami,” Linton declared, making it clear that he’s recruiting Matthews, a standout from St. Thomas Aquinas, to the Hurricanes.
But Matthews isn't the only player on Linton's radar. He's also eyeing four-star offensive guard Sean Tatum, hoping to bring this talented group to Miami. As EJ Holland from On3/Rivals notes, Linton is actively working to make this dream a reality.
If Linton succeeds, the Hurricanes' 2027 class will have a distinctly local flavor. Linton hails from Palm Beach County, while Tatum is just up the road in Fort Pierce.
This local recruitment effort, highlighted by last week's commitment from five-star wide receiver Nick Lennear, is reminiscent of the legendary 'State of Miami' recruiting strategy from years past. While Cristobal continues to seek talent nationwide, securing top prospects from Miami’s own backyard remains a priority.
Adding Matthews alongside last year’s five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell would further establish Miami as a premier destination for elite offensive linemen. Cristobal's vision of building a roster anchored by top-tier linemen is gaining traction. With the likes of Francis Mauigoa and Rueben Bain Jr. projected to be top 10 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, Miami's allure for blue-chip linemen is only growing stronger.