Miami trending for coveted 4-star safety Hylton Stubbs following USC decommitment

Jacksonville Mandarin four-star safety Hylton Stubbs became the latest to back off a commitment to USC earlier this week. He’s not staying on the board for long, however.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder is now expected to commit on July 4, with two in-state programs at the forefront of his decision. Florida and Miami are each pushing hard to land Stubbs, but it’s the Hurricanes that are now trending, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

On3’s Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons became the latest to log picks in favor of Mario Cristobal and Co. on Sunday evening. Miami insider Gary Ferman and USC insider Scott Schrader each did the same on Thursday following Stubbs’ decommitment from the Trojans.

Stubbs’ final official visit was at Miami on the weekend of June 21. He also logged a pair of trips to Coral Gables earlier this year. Cristobal, defensive backs coach Chevis Jackson and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry have all continued to make Stubbs feel like a priority in the 305 and are now in good position, according to Simmons.

“Miami has always been in the mix, and it has always seemed that Stubbs would end up at one of the in-state schools when all is said and done. Florida has long been the school viewed as the in-state school in the best position. Miami just kept getting Stubbs on campus and chipping away. The Hurricanes received the final official visit, Stubbs decommitted a few days later and the buzz has picked up since that last trip to Coral Gables,” Simmons said.

“The relationships are in place, Stubbs sees a path to the field and both he and his family like the staff’s approach. Florida is not going to go away, I would be surprised if Stubbs isn’t back at the Swamp this fall, but Mario Cristobal’s program is trending at the right time in this race.”

When speaking with On3 back in May, he made it known that Miami’s pursuit wasn’t going to end when he made his surprise commitment to USC at the end of March. The Canes never took their foot off the gas and are now reaching frontrunner status for one of the best in the Sunshine State this cycle.

“Miami’s approach is that they’re not going to give up on trying to get me until signing day,” Stubbs told On3. “Miami always gets some guys at the last second on signing day. They are going to keep recruiting me and they love my game. They love how I play and they like what I’m doing.” 

Stubbs is the No. 56 overall prospect and No. 5 safety in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 7 player in Florida.

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