The Miami Hurricanes football program has put itself in a prime position to land the top defensive back class in the 2025 cycle.
The Miami Hurricanes football program is diligently working to secure one of the best defensive back classes in the country for the 2025 cycle.
UM has started strong, securing three commitments going into July 4th: 4-star cornerback Chris Ewald, 4-star safety Amari Wallace, and 3-star cornerback Timothy Merritt, all pledging to the Hurricanes during June.
Now, Miami is focused on closing deals with highly-rated targets to enhance the overall depth and talent of their secondary.
Commits
CB Chris Ewald
- Size: 6-0, 165
- High School: Chaminade-Madonna (FL) Prep
- 247Sports Ranking: 4-star with a 90 grade
- Potential Fit at Miami: Ewald, a local South Florida prospect, projects as a field cornerback known for his sticky man coverage. With strong technique and a knack for making it hard for receivers to create space, he has tallied 34 pass break-ups over the past two high school seasons.
CB Timothy Merritt
- Size: 6-2, 180
- High School: Parker (AL) High School
- 247Sports Ranking: 3-star with an 88 grade
- Potential Fit at Miami: A converted basketball player, Merritt is just beginning to tap into his football potential. He has the length and ball skills to play as a boundary cornerback or shift to safety if needed. He possesses traits that coaches Lance Guidry and Chevis Jackson value highly, resembling current Hurricane Jadais Richard.
DB Amari Wallace
- Size: 5-10, 175
- High School: Miami Central High School
- 247Sports Ranking: 4-star with a 91 grade, No. 187 overall in the country
- Potential Fit at Miami: Known for his instincts and savvy, Wallace is a playmaking South Florida defensive back from a winning high school program. He can play safety or nickel, showing a good feel for ball-hawking opportunities that lead to game-changing turnovers.
Targets
CB Jaboree Antoine
- Size: 6-1, 170
- High School: Westgate (LA) High School
- 247Sports Ranking: 4-star with a 92 grade, No. 136 overall in the country
- Miami’s Competition: LSU and Florida State
- Potential Fit at Miami: Antoine is a versatile cornerback who excels in man coverage, using his length to contain receivers. He recently decommitted from LSU, with FSU and Miami now in contention.
CB Ben Hanks
- Size: 6-1, 170
- High School: Booker T. Washington (FL) High School
- 247Sports Ranking: 4-star with a 93 grade, No. 81 overall in the country
- Miami’s Competition: Florida, Georgia, Florida State, and Louisville
- Potential Fit at Miami: Hanks is the top cornerback in South Florida for the 2025 cycle. He has the length to be a boundary cornerback and the man coverage skills to be a field cornerback. Florida is currently leading his recruitment.
DB DJ Pickett
- Size: 6-4, 180
- High School: Zephyrhills (FL) High School
- 247Sports Ranking: 5-star with a 98 rating, No. 9 overall in the country
- Miami’s Competition: Oregon, Georgia, and LSU
- Potential Fit at Miami: Pickett is an exceptional prospect capable of playing anywhere in the secondary. He can be a boundary corner or safety, and even excel as a wide receiver. Miami is one of his final four schools, with a decision expected on July 17.
DB Hylton Stubbs
- Size: 6-1, 190
- High School: Jacksonville Mandarin (FL) High School
- 247Sports Ranking: 4-star with a 93 rating, No. 99 overall in the country
- Miami’s Competition: Florida
- Potential Fit at Miami: Stubbs projects as a versatile safety who can play in the box or as a centerfield safety in passing situations. Miami is favored to land him, with a commitment announcement expected today, July 4.
DB Bryce Fitzgerald
- Size: 6-0, 175
- High School: Miami Columbus (FL) High School
- 247Sports Ranking: 4-star with a 90 grade, No. 213 overall in the country
- Miami’s Competition: Florida and Florida State
- Potential Fit at Miami: Fitzgerald could be an ideal nickel corner due to his physicality and quickness. Florida is currently a strong contender in his recruitment.
Overall Thoughts
Miami is positioned to secure a high-quality defensive back class in the 2025 cycle, addressing a key area of need after previous lackluster recruiting results.
In the 2023 cycle, head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff aimed to sign the best offensive line class, featuring 5-star prospects Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. In 2024, their focus was on the defensive line, landing top players like DT Justin Scott, DL Armondo Blount, and DE Marquise Lightfoot.
For 2025, the emphasis is on defensive backs. Miami already has commitments from Ewald (field corner), Merritt (boundary corner), and Wallace (nickel or safety).
Miami is favored to land Hylton Stubbs, bringing length and physicality to the secondary. The recruitment of 5-star defensive back DJ Pickett is also crucial, with an announcement expected in mid-July. Securing one of Antoine, Hanks, and Fitzgerald will be vital for Miami to potentially claim the top secondary class in the country for 2025.
Although Miami may not sign all the listed players, they are well-positioned to build a formidable future secondary:
- Cornerback: DJ Pickett or Jaboree Antoine or Ben Hanks
- Safety: Hylton Stubbs or Timothy Merritt
- Safety: Amari Wallace or Bryce Fitzgerald
- Cornerback: Chris Ewald or Jaboree Antoine or Ben Hanks
- Nickel: Amari Wallace or Bryce Fitzgerald
Talent acquisition in college football is about consistently securing the best players and fostering competition for playing time. This group of recruits would inject substantial talent and competition into the secondary, representing championship-level recruiting.
During the past two recruiting cycles, Miami has only signed one defensive back inside the Top 100, according to 247Sports, in safety Zaquan Patterson. The Hurricanes have not signed a cornerback within the Top 150 in the same period. This article lists four Top 150 defensive backs for the 2025 class.
What do you expect from Miami’s 2025 defensive back class? Can the Hurricanes secure the best secondary class in the country? Comment below.
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