The Miami football program is facing stiff competition for 2025 four-star linebacker commit Elijah Melendez.
Several reports indicate that various programs are vying for Melendez’s commitment, making it uncertain for the Miami Hurricanes. According to Adam Gorney, the National Recruiting Director for Rivals.com, all four programs that have hosted Melendez for official visits are in strong contention.
Melendez has recently visited Auburn, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. He is scheduled to visit Miami this weekend. David Johnson of 247Sports reported that Mississippi is currently on equal footing with Miami in Melendez’s recruitment.
Derek Nicholson, Miami’s linebackers coach and recently promoted co-defensive coordinator, is leading the charge to secure Melendez’s commitment. Auburn’s recruitment is being spearheaded by defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, a former head coach at Maryland.
Gorney reported that Melendez holds Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables in high regard, viewing him as a linebacker expert who made him feel prioritized and at home in Norman. Despite the competition, Melendez has expressed his continued affection for Miami. He is the second-longest committed player in Miami’s 2025 class, behind quarterback Luke Nickel.
In the 2025 Rivals rankings, Melendez is listed as the 81st overall prospect, 16th in Florida, and the second-best inside linebacker. He is also the top prospect committed to Miami for the 2025 class. The only other defensive commit for Miami in this class is three-star cornerback Timothy Merritt.
Melendez told Chad Simmons of On3, “After the visit to Miami, I will go home, sit down, take some time, and make my final decision. All four schools are up there.” The fact that Miami is his last official visit is seen as a positive sign.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, and Nicholson will have a crucial opportunity to make their case to Melendez, countering the pitches from Auburn, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. They aim to reassert their vision for Melendez and outline his future role in the Miami defense.
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