Miami readies for major recruiting day with pair of top-100 prospects set for announcements

Today is a massively important recruiting day for Miami’s coaching staff and fans as the Hurricanes eagerly await announcements from two of the program’s most highly-coveted targets in the 2024 class.

Oklahoma City (Okla.) IMG Academy Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman David Stone and Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna four-star safety Zaquan Patterson will announce their commitments today. Stone, the No. 8 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 2 defensive lineman, will chose between Miami, Oklahoma and Michigan State while Patterson, the No. 80 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking and No. 3 safety, will choose between Miami, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State and Auburn.

Miami could conceivably land one, neither or both prospects, although the Hurricanes don’t appear to be the overwhelming favorite for either of the two at the moment. Oklahoma has been viewed as the frontrunner for Stone for some time as his hometown school, but Miami has fought to close the gap.

Co-defensive line coach Jason Taylor has made a strong impression on Stone, and the coaching staff is in good standing with Stone’s family — most notably his mother. Stone and his family made four trips to Coral Gables this year, most recently for his official visit June 9.

The Hurricanes were viewed as the favorite to land Patterson earlier this spring and summer and recruited him the heaviest of his interested schools, although the race has become increasingly tighter as the summer has gone on. Other programs ramped up their recruiting efforts to challenge Miami’s.

Patterson does not have a school standing out from the pack as a decision nears, although Florida State recently received a substantial boost in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Patterson visited Florida State, Auburn and Michigan twice each this summer but insisted he did not hold them in higher standing than Miami, which he visited once. He said his schedule simply worked out that he could take multiple trips to the three schools on days the schools were having recruiting events, and he felt he could visit Miami any time he chose. Patterson is yet to take any official visits but plans to take “two or three” this fall.

He also visited Ohio State once this summer. Intel suggests the Buckeyes are still in contention but aren’t viewed as likely a potential landing spot as the other four schools.

Miami is expected to continue to push for both regardless of their decisions. Patterson plans to continue to visit other programs for official visits and game weekend unofficial visits but said it will be difficult for another program to flip him from the school he chooses. Both have received very aggressive recruiting pushes from the Hurricanes’ coaching staff.

CaneSport’s Take

Oklahoma has been considered the favorite for Stone heading into his decision, although Miami has been a consistent presence in the race and shouldn’t be blown off as a threat to the Sooners. Patterson’s battle feels too close to make a firm prediction, although it wouldn’t surprise us if he chose Miami, Florida State, Michigan or Auburn.

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